Central Nervous System Disorders (Meningitis, Seizures)

Introduction

Meningitis is a central nervous system disorder that causes meninges inflammation, including the dura, pia, and arachnoid mater responsible for lining the skull and vertebral canal, enclosing the spinal cord and brain. Meningitis can cause acute seizures. Brain pressure or swelling associated with meningitis disrupts the brain’s normal activities, leading to seizures (Hersi et al., 2021). Technically, seizures are neurological complications attributed to meningitis. Millions of meningitis cases have been reported since 2015, with thousands of subsequent deaths. Bacteria or viruses mainly cause meningitis. The condition was fatal before the introduction of antibiotics. However, the disease causes higher mortality rates even with great healthcare innovations. Non-infectious processes like drug reactions, cancer, and autoimmune disorders can also cause meningitis. The condition is risky for people with chronic medical disorders, the unvaccinated and the old. The symptoms include; neck stiffness, dizziness, headache, photophobia, fever, vomiting, irritability, and confusion. Also, patients should seek help if they start experiencing severe headaches, seizures, mental status changes, high fever, and hypoxia.

Health Promotion Measures

Providing Excellent Coordinated and Nursing Care

Early treatment of meningitis patients leads to a good prognosis. However, some patients with severe symptoms exhibit high mortality and morbidity. For instance, during the illness, some patients develop seizures which can be prolonged and challenging to control. Other patients can be left with a disability after treatment due to residual neurological deficits. Serious complications may arise in high-risk patients. Meningitis patients require coordinated care and effective nursing care. The nurses should be aware of the illness’ signs and symptoms and immediately transfer the patients to the emergency department clinician. Other specialists involved in the care include; paediatricians, infectious disease specialists, neurologists, and pharmacists. The most appropriate antibiotics should be administered to the patient based on age and sensitivities (Hersi et al., 2021). Nurses should be involved in vital signs monitoring and recording. They should offer psychological support while assessing the patients’ motor response and mental status. Close examination and safety checks should be provided to prevent further complications linked to the disease. Chest and limb physio help to prevent immobility complications. Failing to provide coordinated nursing care to the patient may lead to deleterious complications leading to the patient’s death.

Providing Health Education

Public education concerning the disease can help prevent the infection. Healthcare professionals can educate patients and the general public regarding the types of meningitis which can be prevented through vaccination. Generalized vaccination implementation has resulted in the reduction of meningitis incidences. Parents should be advised to ensure their children are vaccinated against meningitis (Hersi et al., 2021). The family members should be educated about the need for prophylaxis when a family member has Neisseria meningitis.

Further education should be provided to patients and family members about the infection’s signs and symptoms and when the situation requires immediate emergency attention. Failing to provide critical knowledge regarding the condition will lead to other severe cases of meningitis and higher mortality rates. The people will become aware of seeking earlier treatment and medication to manage the condition.

Enhancing The Immune System

A healthy immune system prevents the diseases’ wide range susceptibility. It prevents further infections associated with meningitis virus or infection. The immune system can be enhanced by eating a balanced diet comprising fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, getting adequate rest, and avoiding alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes. To boost body immunity, patients should take a nutritional diet with more omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, probiotics, and citrus fruits. The patient should alternate between activity and resting to conserve energy. The patients should also avoid close contact with people with the same infection. Maintaining healthy habits boosts one’s immune system by protecting themselves and others from infection and prevents more healthy habits (Shroff, 2021). If the immune system is not strengthened, the patient may get further infections and diseases that may increase the risk and severity of meningitis.

Lifestyle Changes and Minimizing the Spread of the Disease

Some patients may have blurred vision; thus, they should avoid driving to avoid causing accidents. Close supervision and accompaniment should be emphasized to prevent fatal injuries in case of seizures. They should strictly adhere to medications as prescribed. They should not climb to higher attitudes. Besides keeping a clean environment, the patient should practice good hygiene to avoid spreading the disease. Although meningitis cannot be transmitted through casual contact, prolonged and close contact with an infected person can spread the infection. Good personal hygiene should be practised, including frequently washing hands with water and a detergent (Shroff, 2021). The patient should avoid sharing utensils, food, water bottles, towels, tissues, lipsticks, and other items for personal use. If the patient fails to adhere to good hygiene practices, they can transmit the infection to other people. Moreover, the patients may recover quickly after following the new lifestyle changes preventing further complications linked to meningitis.

Reflection

Meningitis is a high morbidity, mortal, and serious condition. To minimize high morbidity, meningitis patients should be presented to the emergency department as soon as possible, and a streamlined interprofessional approach should be applied. Full awareness of the symptoms and signs depicted by the patient facilitates the immediate transfer of patients to physicians. Suspicion of bacterial meningitis should be followed by subsequent administering of antibiotics before receiving the laboratory results. Public education on prevention methods, including vaccination, can help prevent further cases.

References

Hersi, K., Gonzalez, F. J., Kondamudi, N. P., & Sapkota, R. (2021). Meningitis (Nursing). In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.

Shroff, A. (2021, September 22^nd). Prevent Meningitis: Tips to Protect Your Teen. Retrieved from; https://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/prevent-meningitis-tips-protect-your-teen