Meningism

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Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Meningism
File:Kernig's sign cerebrospinal meningitis.jpg
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Headache, neck stiffness, photophobia, nausea, vomiting
Complications	N/A
Onset	N/A
Duration	N/A
Types	N/A
Causes	Meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, other central nervous system irritations
Risks	N/A
Diagnosis	Clinical evaluation, lumbar puncture
Differential diagnosis	Migraine, tension headache, encephalitis
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Treat underlying cause, analgesics, hydration
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Depends on underlying cause
Frequency	Common in meningitis cases
Deaths	N/A

Meningism is a set of symptoms similar to those of meningitis, but not caused by meningitis. It is characterized by a triad of nuchal rigidity (neck stiffness), photophobia (intolerance to bright light), and headache. Meningism is often caused by irritation of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Causes

Meningism can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:

• Subarachnoid hemorrhage: This is a type of stroke caused by bleeding in the space surrounding the brain.
• Brain tumor: A tumor in the brain can cause irritation of the meninges.
• Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses can sometimes cause meningism.
• Migraine: Some people with migraines may experience symptoms of meningism.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of meningism is usually made based on the patient's symptoms and medical history. A physical examination may reveal signs of meningism, such as nuchal rigidity. In some cases, further tests may be needed to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms.

Treatment

The treatment of meningism depends on the underlying cause. For example, if meningism is caused by a brain tumor, treatment may involve surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. If meningism is caused by sinusitis, treatment may involve antibiotics or other medications to reduce inflammation.

See also

• Meningitis
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage
• Brain tumor
• Sinusitis
• Migraine