Meningitis is a serious disease caused by inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges (men-in-jeez). Children under age 5 are most at risk, followed by young adults age 16-25, then adults over 55. Bacterial meningitis can prove fatal within days and requires prompt antibiotic treatment.
Viral meningitis may improve without treatment. There is no way of knowing which of the many varieties of meningitis you have without undergoing medical testing. Vaccines are available for 4 of the 5 main types of meningitis.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive loss of mental ability due to degeneration of brain tissue. Dementia is a category of brain disease that causes the gradual decrease in the ability to think and remember. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. We look at how to beat Alzheimer's.