In Greek words, ‘Hydro’ means water and ‘cephalus’ means head. Combining these two words, hydrocephalus means water in the brain. Patients suffering from this disease have collected form of CSF (cereb..
In Greek words, ‘Hydro’ means water and ‘cephalus’ means head. Combining these two words, hydrocephalus means water in the brain. Patients suffering from this disease have collected form of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) in the cavities or ventricles of the human brain. This may result in high intracranial pressure in the skull, and it ultimately leads to an enlarged head, convulsion, and sometimes, mental disability. The disorder usually occurs because of blockage of CSF outflow in the ventricles or in the subarachnoid space over the brain. In a healthy human being, the fluid CSF continuously circulates throughout the brain, the ventricles, and the spinal cord. After the circulation, it is drained away into the circulatory system.
The symptoms and signs of this disorder greatly vary with age:
- Infants
- Unusually large head in infants, and the increment being rapid.
- Fontanel (tense and bulging soft tissue) at the top of the head.
- Vomiting.
- Irritation in small matters.
- Sleepiness.
- Poor eating habits.
- Seizures.
- Sunsetting of eyes (eyes of children are always fixed downwards).
- Older children and Toddlers
- Headache.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Abnormally enlarged head of the toddler.
- Fever.
- Delayed walks and talks.
- Drastic change is personality.
- Severe problem in being attentive.
- Declined performance in school.
- Young and middle-aged adults
- It becomes difficult for them to remain awake and wake up from sleep.
- Constant headache.
- Disturbed co-ordination and balance.
- Frequent urge for urination and complete loss on bladder control.
- Difficulty in remembering things.
- Reduced vision, concentration, and other concentration skills
- Older adults
- Frequent urge for urination and complete loss on bladder control.
- Memory loss.
- Reduced thinking and reasoning skills.
- Reduced co-ordination and balance.
- Slow movements of the body.
Some common causes of hydrocephalus are:
- Head injury.
- Bleeding in the brain.
- Infection in the nervous system.
- Premature birth.
- Complications during pregnancy.
Long duration complications depend from person to person and hence cannot be predicted. However, if the disease has developed from the time of birth, it may lead to mental and physical disabilities. In severe cases, it can also lead to permanent brain damage.
Long duration complications depend from person to person and hence cannot be predicted. However, if the disease has developed from the time of birth, it may lead to mental and physical disabilities. In severe cases, it can also lead to permanent brain damage.Following are some measures that can be used to prevent hydrocephalus:
- Using appropriate equipments to protect from head injuries.
- Get regular prenatal care, if you are pregnant.
- Save yourself from infectious illnesses.
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Our superspecialist doctors provide the highest quality of care through a team-based, doctor-led model. Trained at some of the world's most renowned i..... Continue Reading
