Causes of brain swelling are numerous from head injury to
a host of diseases. This article will explorer only viral
infection.
With my Lyme disease I have experienced encephalitis for
years but thought it was only from a high copper level. High
copper can and is probably a contributor to my encephalitis
however some show copper is high with oxidative stress levels.
In the past two years 2007-8 I have experimented with various
natural compounds to treat my immune system and lyme disease.
With each experiment I had an increase in encephalitis which
led me to study the topic of this page.
I suspect the increased brain swelling may be similar to herxheimer
reaction. If that is so it means each time I attack my
lyme disease my brain swelling increases. This page is my
attempt to find data to prove or disprove this assumption.
This research is the first proof if have found that brain
swelling can be a symptom of lyme disease. I must explain
I have no proof I have lyme disease other than I have the
symptoms. I could have other viral or parasite infections
as listed in the supporting articles below. What is important
is that there are many sources or diseases that are viral
infections. Viral infections cannot be cured with antibiotics.
In fact there is extensive research indicating anti-biotic's
will only worsen them. Viral infections are known to hide
in the non blood areas of the body when attacked and then
return. Some researchers state antibiotics will cause them
to migrate to ligaments and cartilage. Then because the antibiotic
destroyed the friendly bacteria the virus or pathagen roars
back even worse. I will continue to look for natural chemicals
to treat my infections because they are less destructive to
my defense system. It is the immune system that is being compromised
by the viral infections. Treat the source not the symptom.
Find a way to kill the infection without compromising the
immune system and at the same time strengthening the immune
system. As you can see in the immune
system main page it is the hypocretin system that needs
to be strengthened.
This page is not complete more research is needed.
1.
"Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain,
commonly caused by a viral infection.Victims are usually exposed
to viruses resulting in encephalitis by insect bites or food
and drink. The most frequently encountered agents are arboviruses
(carried by mosquitoes or ticks) and enteroviruses ( coxsackievirus,
poliovirus and echovirus ). Some of the less frequent agents
are measles, rabies, mumps, varicella and herpes simplex viruses.
Patients with encephalitis suffer from fever, headache, vomiting,
confusion, drowsiness and photophobia. The symptoms of encephalitis
are caused by brain's defense mechanisms being activated to
get rid of infection (brain swelling, small bleedings and
cell death)..." (1)
2.
"Encephalitis...brain inflammation caused by a virus.
It's a rare disease that occurs in approximately 0.5 per 100,000
individuals — most commonly in children, the elderly,
and people with weakened immune systems (i.e., those with
HIV/AIDS or cancer).Symptoms in milder cases of encephalitis
usually include: * fever, * headache, * poor appetite, * loss
of energy, * a general sick feeling. In more severe cases
of encephalitis, a person is more likely to experience high
fever and any of a number of symptoms that relate to the central
nervous system, including: * severe headache, * nausea and
vomiting,
* stiff neck, * confusion, * disorientation, * personality
changes, * convulsions (seizures), * problems with speech
or hearing
* hallucinations, * memory loss, * drowsiness, * coma...Because
encephalitis can follow or accompany common viral illnesses,
there sometimes are signs and symptoms of these illnesses
beforehand. But often, the encephalitis appears without warning...Because
encephalitis can be caused by many types of germs, the infection
can be spread in several different ways. One of the most dangerous
and most common causes of encephalitis is the herpes simplex
virus (HSV). HSV is the same virus that causes cold sores
around the mouth, but when it attacks the brain it may occasionally
be fatal. Fortunately, HSV encephalitis is very rare. Encephalitis
can be a very rare complication of Lyme disease transmitted
by ticks, or of rabies spread by rabid animals. Mosquitoes
can also transmit the viruses for several types of
encephalitis, including West Nile encephalitis, St. Louis
encephalitis, and Western Equine encephalitis. Over the last
several years in the United States, there's been concern about
the spread of West Nile virus, which is transmitted to humans
by mosquitoes that pick up the virus by biting infected birds.
Milder forms of encephalitis can follow or accompany common
childhood illnesses, including measles, mumps, chickenpox,
rubella (German measles), and mononucleosis. Viruses like
chickenpox spread mostly via the fluids of the nose and throat,
usually during a cough or sneeze. Less commonly, encephalitis
can result from a bacterial infection, such as bacterial meningitis,
or it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like
syphilis. Certain parasites, like toxoplasmosis, can also
cause encephalitis in people with weakened immune systems.
Contagiousness...Encephalitis cannot be prevented except to
try to prevent the illnesses that may lead to it...Because
antibiotics aren't effective against viruses, they aren't
used to treat encephalitis. However, antiviral drugs can be
used to treat some forms of encephalitis, especially the type
caused by the herpes simplex virus. Corticosteroids may also
be used in some cases to reduce brain swelling. If a child
is having seizures, anticonvulsants may also be given..."
(2)
3.
" Encephalitis is most often caused by a viral infection,
and many types of viruses may cause it. Exposure to viruses
can occur through insect bites, food or drink contamination,
inhalation of respiratory droplets from an infected person,
or skin contact. In rural areas, arboviruses -- carried by
mosquitoes or ticks, or accidentally ingested, are the most
common cause." (3)
4.
" Viral encephalitis is inflammation of the brain caused
by a virus. Some viral diseases, such as measles and rubella,
can also progress to involve inflammation of the brain. Other
micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungi and parasites, are
capable of triggering encephalitis, but viruses - particularly
the group known as enteroviruses - are the leading cause.
Once inside the blood, the viruses migrate to the brain where
they start to multiply. The body notices the invasion and
mounts an immune system response. This causes the brain to
swell. The combination of infection and immune response create
the typical symptoms of viral encephalitis...Once the viruses
have gained access to the bloodstream, they multiply and head
to the spinal cord and brain (central nervous system). Access
to the brain is by blood or nerves. After breaching the blood-brain
barrier, the viruses slip inside brain cells. This disrupts,
damages and ultimately ruptures the infected brain cells...The
cells of the immune system rush to the brain and start attacking
the viruses. This causes the characteristic brain swelling
(cerebral oedema). Both the infection and the attempts of
the body to fight the infection are responsible for the symptoms
of viral encephalitis..." (4)
