What is Hydrocephalus?
Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in the brain and spinal cord. The task of this fluid is to protect the brain from external factors, but if it is produced too much, it can damage the tissues of the brain. Hydrocephalus is the accumulation of spinal fluid in the spaces in the brain, increasing the pressure inside the head. increased pressure causes problems such as head growth in some patients, functional disorders, visual impairment, cognitive problems, extraordinary headaches and vomiting in others.
What Causes Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus is usually caused by blockages that prevent the transfer of fluids produced by the spinal cord and brain to another area. Common causes are:
- Blockages that prevent fluid from flowing.
- Decreased ability of blood vessels to absorb fluid.
- Increase in fluid production.
- Genetic abnormality
- Birth defect called spina bifida
- Measles, mumps, syphilis diseases during pregnancy
- Tumor or infection in the central nervous system
- Cerebral hemorrhage during or after childbirth
- Head injuries
What are the Symptoms of Hydrocephalus?
The symptoms of hydrocephalus may be different in infants, children, adults and the elderly.
Babies symptoms
- Rapid growth of the head
- Fontanelle swelling
- Sleep
- Irritability, crying
- Epileptic seizures
- Muscle weakening
- Slowdown of growth
- Eyes usually looking down
Children Symptoms
- Double vision, blurred vision
- Headache
- Enlargement of the head
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness and balance disorders
- Epileptic seizures
- Incontinence
- Anorexia
- Reluctance, skill problems
Adults:
- Headache
- Sleeping state
- Loss of balance
- Incontinence
- Defect of vision
- Loss of performance in daily activities and responsibilities
- Memory problems
Elderlies
- Incontinence
- Inability to walk
- Abnormal thinking and behavior
- Loss of balance
- Loss of memory
Treatment
Hydrocephalus is not a disease that can be treated with medication. The only treatment method is surgical interventions. Surgical interventions can only be performed by neurosurgeons.
