About this topic
All people have fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. This fluid acts as a cushion. It protects the brain and spinal cord. Sometimes too much fluid can build up and cause high pressure in the skull. The medical name for this is hydrocephalus. If the pressure stays high for too long, it can harm the brain. The pressure can hurt blood vessels and squeeze parts of the brain. ‚
Some people are born with hydrocephalus. Tumors or an injury to the brain may also cause it. Bleeding in the brain may also cause hydrocephalus. ‚
The goal of care is to lower fluid in the brain. The kind of care is based on the cause of the fluid buildup. The most common treatment is a shunt, also called a ventriculoperitoneal or VP shunt. A shunt is a flexible tube placed under the skin. It goes from the brain to another part of the body, most often into the abdomen. The shunt helps drain the extra fluid to lower the pressure in the brain. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Care depends on what caused the hydrocephalus and how the doctors treated it. Placing a VP shunt to drain the fluid requires surgery. You may need to rest at home for a few days after surgery.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Follow-up care depends on the type of care you had.
- Follow-up visits will almost always be needed to see if the pressure is getting better. If you have a VP shunt placed, the tests may check to see if it is working. CT scans and MRIs of the brain are the most common tests for this purpose.
What drugs may be needed?
Your doctor may order drugs based on the cause of the hydrocephalus. The doctor may order drugs to prevent seizures. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
Your activity level may be limited for several days. If you need a VP shunt, you may need extra healing time to protect the cuts used to place the tube. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you and when you can go back to full activity. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Need for a shunt
- Seizures
- Mental problems
- Nerve damage
- Physical disability
- Learning problems
- Eyesight or hearing problems
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- For pregnant women, get regular prenatal care. Infection with chickenpox or mumps during pregnancy or right after birth may lead to hydrocephalus in the baby. Both infections can be prevented by vaccination.
- Many babies that are born prematurely suffer from hydrocephalus. Prenatal care is essential to reduce the chance of the baby being born early, and to ensure the baby and mother are as healthy as possible.
- Protect yourself or your child from any head injuries. Always wear a helmet when using a bicycle or motorcycle, and always wear a seatbelt when riding in a car.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Signs of the hydrocephalus getting worse. These include: ‚
- Headache
- Throwing up
- Seizures
- Trouble walking or talking
- Worsening eyesight
- Weakness
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what kind of treatment I will be having.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have headaches, throwing up, seizures, or problems walking or talking.
Where can I learn more?
Hydrocephalus Foundation ‚
http://www.hydrocephalus.org/facts.htm ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/hydrocephalus.html ‚
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/10/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚