Meningitis and Unani Management

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord called the meninges. It often happens when an infection in the body spreads through the blood and into the cerebrospinal fluid, which cover the outside of the brain and spinal cord. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms. Viral and bacterial infections are the most common causes of meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is quite rare but it can be very serious and needs urgent treatment with antibiotics.

There is another type of meningitis called Cryptococcal meningitis, which is a fungal infection covering the brain and spinal cord. Cryptococcus fungus is a type of fungus found in dirt and bird droppings.

People can get meningitis at any age.

What are the symptoms Meningitis?

Meningitis symptoms are very difficult to recognize at its early stage. In the early stages of meningitis, signs and symptoms may be similar as compared to many more common illnesses, for example flu etc.

The symptoms of meningitis vary, but often include:

• Headache.

• Fever.

• Stiff neck.

• Sensitivity to light.

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Drowsiness.

• Confusion.

• Little bit tiredness.

• Feeling sick.

The symptoms of bacterial meningitis develop suddenly and for viral meningitis it may develop gradually or over a period of days. Meningitis can lead to brain swelling and cause further disability, including coma and even death.

What are the causes of Meningitis?

A number of different viruses and bacteria can cause meningitis. Viral meningitis is fortunately less severe than the bacterial type. Bacterial meningitis is present in 1 in 10 cases and leaves 1 in 7 survivors with a severe disability caused by brain damage. The most common bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis in teens are Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitides.

There are also non-infectious causes of meningitis that includes systemic diseases like:

• SLE

• Sarcoidosis

• Polyarteritis nodosa

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Toxins

• Certain medications

• Malignancies.

Meningitis caused by non-infectious agents is called sterile meningitis or aseptic meningitis, a condition in which the layers lining the brain, meninges, become inflamed. It is more common than bacterial meningitis, but its symptoms are usually less severe.

Unani Treatment

Gul Banafsa 6 gm, Gul Neelofar 6 gm, Injeer vilayti 3 adad, Baadranjboya 6 gm, Ustookhudoos 6 gm, tukhm Khatmi 6 gm, Khubbazi 6 gm, Maviz Munaqqa 10 in numb, Asal alsoos 6 gm boil in 100 ml Arq Gau zaban + 100 ml Arq Badyan, then afterward filtrate this solution mix with Sharbat banafsa 30 ml and give patient to drink two times daily.

Sharbat Khaskhas or Sheerah tukhm Khaskhas safaid given if patient is unstable (munawim).

Itrifal Kishnizi 20 gm with Arq Gulab 100 ml or Arq Gau Zaban 70 ml or arq Baid musk 50 ml two times daily.

Dawaul musk Haar or barid 5 gm with Arq gau Zaban 70 ml is very beneficial.