Patient's question:
Recently, I don't know why I can't sleep, which greatly affects my work efficiency. My friend recommended that I go to the neurology department for a check-up. Could you please tell me what are the symptoms of tuberculous meningitis?Doctor's answer:
The types of tuberculous meningitis vary, and the symptoms are also different. Common types include:- Meningeal type, which manifests as headache, vomiting, nausea, etc.
- Spinal type, which manifests as paralysis, lower limb numbness, urinary and fecal dysfunction, etc.
- Cognitive impairment type, which manifests as agitation, irritability, confusion, and restlessness, etc.
- Meningoencephalitis type, which, depending on the affected area, may present additional neurological deficits, such as blindness or hemianopia if the optic nerve is affected.
Tuberculous meningitis may also lead to complications such as hydrocephalus, increased intracranial pressure, chronic high or low intracranial pressure, and limb dysfunction. Additionally, tuberculous meningitis often coexists with many other manifestations of tuberculosis, such as low-grade fever and excessive thirst. If the tuberculous focus spreads, it may also be accompanied by symptoms related to the focus.