Hydrocephalus is the clinical term for fluid accumulation within the brain, more specifically, in the cavities/ventricles of the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid refers to body fluid and is colourless. It nourishes the nervous system, removes wastes from the cerebral metabolism, and shields the brain and spinal cord.
When the cerebrospinal fluid is in an excessive amount creates pressure on the brain, causing brain swelling. Due to ventricle expansion, brain damage can occur. Anyone can get this medical condition. However, infants and individuals over 60 are more likely to be at risk. Consulting the best neuro doctor at the leading multispecialty hospital in Siliguri can be of utmost help.
Who Gets Hydrocephalus?
At times, the exact reason for such occurrence is not well understood. Different studies have suspected the following factors:
- Result of premature birth causing bleeding in the ventricles
- Unusual/abnormal development of the central nervous system in the newborns
- Infection in the womb that might affect the fetal brain tissue
- Stroke or brain injury resulting in bleeding in the brain
- Infections involving the central nervous system
- Brain tumors, lesions in the spinal cord
- Bleeding from the brain’s blood vessels
Newborns have congenital issues which means the condition is present at birth. Others may have head injuries or central nervous system tumors, infections, or strokes. The surgical approach helps relieve the condition. But a complete cure is still not accessible.
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
Let’s discuss the signs:
Signs in Infants
- Abnormally large head
- Fontanel sticking out, one of the soft spots on the top of the head
- The size of the head increases rapidly
- Feeling lethargic
- Eyes fixed downward
- Seizures
- Too much sleepiness
- Irritability
- Lack of muscle strength
- Poor feeding
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Toddlers and children may get:
- Poor school performance
- Fussiness
- Balance issues
- Poor appetite
- Muscle spasm
- Seizures
- Issues with talking
- Slow growth
- Loss of bladder control
- Headaches
- Trouble concentrating
- Double/blurred vision
- Difficulty coordination
Middle-aged and young adults may get:
- Loss of coordination
- Headaches
- Bladder health issues
- Trouble walking
- Problems with vision, memory
Older Adults Have:
- Memory loss
- Poor coordination
- Frequent urge to urine/bladder issues
- Issues with reasoning skills
- Trouble walking
If you see your near one has been suffering from such health concerns, help them get expert help. Sometimes, people relate signs like memory loss, trouble balancing, loss of bladder control with signs of advanced age. But these symptoms may have an underlying concern as well. But not necessarily hydrocephalus.
Diagnosis & Treatment Plans
A specialist may order brain imaging tests including an ultrasound scan, CT scan, MRI, etc. Operating physical and neurological examinations are always in focus. These diagnostic procedures help determine the extension of the condition. Reach out to a trusted hospital to get optimum critical care in Siliguri.
There’re different types of medical procedures to deal with hydrocephalus, including – Shunt insertion (involving a long tube with a valve that aids in draining the excessive CSF flow), Ventriculostomy (making a hole at the end of the cavity in order to drain cerebrospinal/CSF). Doctors may also suggest therapies based on the situation.