Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the lining that protects the brain and spinal cord. It is almost always caused by an infection, usually by a bacteria (bacterial meningitis) or a virus (viral meningitis). In rare cases it can be triggered by a fungus or parasite. Meningitis occurs most commonly in young children under […]
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There are two main forms of meningitis: bacterial meningitis, and viral meningitis. Bacterial meningitis affects fewer people than the viral form, but it often results in more serious health consequences. Bacterial meningitis is fatal in 1 in 10 cases and leaves 1 in 7 survivors with a severe disability caused by brain injury. Bacterial Meningitis
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The symptoms of meningitis are similar for both bacterial and viral forms of the disease. Adults and older children typically experience: Fever and chills Headache Vomiting Stiff neck (patient may not be able to curl up in bed with nose to knees) Irritability and drowsiness Eyes that are sensitive to light Delirium and confusion (uncommon)
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If meningitis is suspected, treatment should be sought immediately. At the hospital, a doctor can make a quick diagnosis by withdrawing a small sample of the spinal fluid for examination. This procedure is called a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). It involves inserting a needle into the middle of the lower back and collecting some drops of fluid.
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Doctors isolate patients with possible meningitis and immediately start them on intravenous antibiotics before they determine whether it’s bacterial or viral meningitis. If the diagnosis turns out to be viral meningitis, the antibiotic treatment is stopped, because antibiotics have no effect on the viruses. In fact, there is no treatment for viral meningitis, the illness must simply
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Women with epilepsy have a 90% chance of having a healthy, normal baby. The risk that children of parents with epilepsy will themselves develop epilepsy is only about 5% unless the parent has a clearly hereditary form of the disorder. A genetic counselor can help determine the risks for a specific type of epilepsy. Amniocentesis
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The outlook for epilepsy is good. According to a recent conference of neuroscience researchers and clinicians held on the disease at the National Institutes of Health, a cure for epilepsy is conceivable within the next 10 or 20 years. Research is underway to increase understanding of the body mechanisms that cause epilepsy, such as brain
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Here are some frequently asked questions related to epilepsy. Q: Is epilepsy a mental illness? A: Epilepsy is not a form of mental illness and it does not cause mental illness. Q: Is epilepsy a sign of reduced intelligence? A: Epilepsy is not an indicator of intelligence. Epilepsy affects people of average intelligence as well as those
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Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to epilepsy. Epilepsy is not a mental illness, and it does not cause mental illness. Most epilepsy can be successfully treated with medications. There are several different types of epileptic seizures-some are quite mild, while others are more severe. Epilepsy does not necessarily keep
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Here are definitions of medical terms related to epilepsy. Absence seizure: A specific type of seizure in which a person does not lose consciousness but goes into an altered state for a very short period of time. Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CAT scan, a view of a section of the body made by a machine that
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Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on epilepsy. For more information about new and developing treatments for epilepsy and about basic research into epilepsy and brain function, visit these sites: Epilepsy Foundation of America Phone: (800) EFA-1000 Fax: (301) 577-4941 http://www.efa.org/ American Epilepsy Society Phone: (860) 586-7505 Fax: (860) 586-7550 Email: kmurray@aesnet.org
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Epilepsy is a general term used for a group of disorders that cause disturbances in electrical signaling in the brain. Like an office building or a computer, the brain is a highly complex electrical system, powered by roughly 80 pulses of energy per second. These pulses move back and forth between nerve cells to produce
