Overview Of The Causes And Complications Of Meningitis

Kidney Failure

Some kinds of bacterial meningitis have the potential to lead to kidney failure. They can also cause long-term kidney damage that continues to need treatment following recovery. Depending on the severity of the condition, patients might be prescribed medications that damage the kidneys. The kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood, and they help remove waste and toxins from the body. Toxins are removed from the blood and sent to the bladder so they can leave the body through urination. When the kidneys are unable to filter the waste out of the blood, this condition is called kidney failure. The kidneys are a vital organ. When they don't work correctly, the patient's body will become overloaded with toxins. If kidney failure isn't treated, it can be life-threatening. There are a variety of symptoms of kidney failure. When patients have bacterial meningitis, their doctor should keep a close eye on their kidney function during the recovery process. Persistent nausea, pressure or pain in the chest, and a reduced amount of urine are all key signs of kidney failure.

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Issues With Memory

Some patients have reported issues with memory following their recovery from meningitis. This can occur when there is brain damage as a result of the illness. Memory problems can take several different forms. The brain has different ways of storing and retrieving memory. Some patients might have problems with their long-term memory and remembering core events. Others might have trouble with short-term recall, which can make it difficult to keep appointment times or remember new facts. The problems with memory sometimes have an impact on a patient's school or work performance, particularly when they interfere with their ability to stick to schedules. The memory issues tend to be worst immediately following recovery from meningitis. In most cases, issues with memory will get better over time. Some patients make a full recovery. It's important to have a neurologist monitor any ongoing cognitive impairments after meningitis. If the memory problems get progressively worse instead of better, there may be factors beyond meningitis at play.

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