By now, everyone’s seen the news about the Fungal Meningitis “outbreak” in the US. What’s only recently coming to light is how all these people became infected, and what the source is.  According to the CDC, over 13,000 people were injected with a drug called preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (we’ll call it PFMA for short). This is a steroid that’s injected into the body to relieve pain. It is most commonly injected into the spine for low back pain, but has also been used on other joints (knees, shoulders, etc.).  So far, the only people who have died are people who’ve been injected in their spine. 

So what makes this so dangerous?  Meningitis is an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. In these cases, infected PFMA was injected directly into the spinal cord and was able to travel up to the brain.  If the people getting the injection had weakened immune systems due to illness, or antibiotic use, their bodies may not be able to fight off the fungal infection, causing swelling in and around the brain.  So far, at least 14 people have died and many more are very ill.  Several have even had strokes as a result of the meningitis. One compounding factor is that steroids by their nature decrease your immune system’s ability to fight off infection. So people are directly exposed to a fungus and an immune suppressant all at the same time.

What are the symptoms? Many people experience fever, headache, nausea and vomiting and think they have the flu. But, other symptoms include stiff neck, sensitivity to light (and possibly sound) and altered mental state. The only way to definitively diagnose meningitis is with a spinal tap. That’s where the doctor takes a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid from around the spinal cord and has it tested.

How is it treated? Most cases are treated with multiple, long courses of antifungal medications given intravenously in a hospital. How many courses a person requires depends on their immune system health and the type of fungus causing the infection.

Is there a way to prevent fungal meningitis? Yes and no.  Fungal Meningitis is not typically caused by any particular activity, but by being around an airborn fungus and having a weakened or altered immune system.  In this “outbreak” the only way to have prevented exposure was not to get the injection.

Is there another way to deal with back pain without an injection?  Absolutely!  Some people find relief through over the counter or prescription medication, although, those come with their own side effects. Others use Acupuncture or natural remedies to treat the symptoms. Many cases of back pain are caused by the vertebrae in the low back or hips being out of alignment, or by muscle spasms in the low back.  These are conditions that can be treated by a licensed Chiropractor and a Certified Massage Therapist. Chiropractic and Massage Therapy are non-invasive techniques to relax the muscles and re-align the spine.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/outbreaks/meningitis.html
http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/fungal.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungal_Meningitis#Fungal_meningitis

    Spring is one of the worst times of year for allergy sufferers.  Many different plants start blooming, and pollen counts are high.  Added to that, the weather is warming up and people are starting to open windows in their homes, allowing more allergens in.

    Allergies are caused by the body's over reaction to normally harmless substances in the environment.  They typically cause reactions like red, itchy eyes; stuffy or runny nose; sore, scratchy throat; hay fever, or even hives and are also linked with asthma. 

    Common allergens (the particles that cause the allergic response) are pollen, grass, dust, mold/mildew, animal dander, scents/perfumes, insect bites/stings, dyes, food, and medications.
   
    Most allergy sufferers try a variety of remedies to alleviate the symptoms: over the counter medications, nasal rinses, or homeopathic remedies.  For more severe cases, they may try steroids, or epinephrine (Epi-Pen).

So, what does this have to do with Chiropractic? 

    Current research shows that there is a direct link between the nervous system and the immune system. So, when Chiropractors remove nerve interference through adjustments, it allows the immune system to work optimally.  Your immune system helps to prevent disease and infection, deal with stress, and promote overall well being. 

    So, the next time you sneeze, head to your Chiropractor.  They can help you fight allergies more effectively and with less medication!