Meningitis is an infection that inflames the meninges, which are three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Both adults and children can develop this condition. Meningitis can be bacterial, viral, or fungal. Bacterial meningitis can be life-threatening and is typically caught by coming in close contact with another person who has it. Viral meningitis is usually less severe and doesn’t require treatment. Fungal meningitis is a rare form of the disease and primarily develops in those with weakened immune systems. Early treatment of meningitis is the best way to attack the condition before it worsens.
What Causes Meningitis?
In the United States, most meningitis cases are caused by viral infections, followed by bacterial infections and rare fungal infections. Some bacterial infections can be life-threatening, which is why it is important to determine the cause if you develop meningitis. The bacteria typically enter the bloodstream and make their way to the brain or spinal cord, causing acute meningitis. When bacteria enter the meninges, you can attribute the cause to an ear or sinus infection, skull fracture, or as post surgery complication. Another common cause of meningitis is people with weakened immune systems because they are more prone to infections.
Natural Remedies
Eat Garlic
Allicin is the is the active ingredient in garlic, which is a powerful superfood that has been shown to be effective against diseases like meningitis. Garlic also contains other antioxidants and antiviral & antibacterial properties, all of which help to strengthen the immune system. Incorporate garlic into your daily meals to help with the elimination of the infection.
Use Cold Packs
Most people who contract meningitis often times experience a fever. Applying ice packs to the forehead and the back of the neck can be beneficial in reducing the fever, as well as decreasing inflammation in the head and neck area. Decreasing inflammation in the meninges gives your immune system a helping hand so that it can work on targeting the bacteria.
Get Some Rest
Getting sufficient rest is one of the best things you can do for your body when you have meningitis. The illness damages the immune system, and resting allows the immune system to recuperate. When you stay inside and rest as much as possible, you are less prone to the body being damaged by other pathogens and bacteria. Some cases of meningitis may also be contagious, which is another reason why staying indoors and resting is optimal.
Chlorella
Chlorella is one of the best natural remedies for meningitis. It is a small plant with a high chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll has a remarkably similar structure to hemoglobin and works to boost red blood cell production, which helps to increase oxygenation and purify the blood. Both of those things help accelerate recovery time and repair damage, which is caused by the disease.
Reishi Mushrooms
The use of medicinal mushrooms in natural healing has been prominent throughout history. Reishi mushrooms, which have a bright red color, may be beneficial for those with meningitis. The polysaccharides and triterpenes in reishi mushrooms help by boosting immune function and decreasing the inflammation, which is caused by the illness.
Drink Water
Hydration is key when it comes to naturally overcoming meningitis. Drinking water helps to flush excess waste, including bacteria and proteins, from the body, and keeps them from building up in your kidneys. It is recommended to drink half your bodyweight in ounces of water to stay sufficiently hydrated. If you weight 150 pounds and divide that by two to get 75, you should drink 75 ounces every day. You may need to drink more when you have meningitis. Try to avoid juice because it contains a lot of sugar and can worsen inflammation.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
