Hydrocephalus is a medical condition that simply depicts 'water on the brain'. This is a brain disease that occurs due to the buildup of fluid in the cavities deep within the brain. This can happen to anyone at any age, but when it comes to children, you need to take serious attention.
When it occurs, the excess fluid causes your child's ventricles to widen and press on the tissues of the brain. This fluid is called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flows through ventricles. If your child has suffered from this disease you can consult with your best paediatric surgeon in Siliguri to get the best treatment.
The medical research team is still doing their best to find out a permanent solution as currently, there isn’t a complete cure for hydrocephalus. But when the normal flow of CSF is blocked, it can result in the buildup of CSF that causes to enlargement of the ventricles.
Apart from that, it can also cause other brain function problems. There are different therapies available that are required to manage the problems resulting from hydrocephalus. Experts recommend surgical treatment is the best possible way to treat hydrocephalus and restore CSF levels back to normal in the brain.
Symptoms Of Hydrocephalus
For Infants:
- Unusually large head
- Vomiting
- Sleepiness
- Sun-setting eyes
- Fontanel on top of your baby’s head
For Older Children:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Poor appetite
- Frequent urination
- Vision problems
- Developmental delays
For Adults:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Feeling tired
- Unstable balance
- Vision problems
- Short-term memory loss
For Older Adults:
- Forgetfulness
- Mild dementia
- Problems in walking
- Loss of bladder control
Remember, early diagnosis definitely helps to overcome any disease as it helps to grow further. You can consult with an expert pediatric surgeon if your child has problems with feeding or unexplained vomiting. Apart from that, there are other conditions when you need emergency medical care such as seizures, and if the baby has a high-pitched cry.
Causes Of Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is a brain disease that can develop for a number of reasons such as:
Congenital Factors:
- Spina bifida
- Other brain issues
- Aqueductal stenosis
- Premature birth complications
- Infections during pregnancy
After Birth Factors:
- Head trauma
- Brain tumors
- Stroke
- Meningitis
- Spinal cord tumors
- Other infections
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Diagnosis & Treatment
After visiting the clinic and consulting, your paediatric surgeon in Siliguri will start the diagnosis process of hydrocephalus with a physical exam, neurological exam, and brain-imaging tests such as ultrasound, MRI scans, and CT scans to identify the exact causes of the symptoms.
Many people have questioned whether this disease is treatable or not. In a simple word, the answer is a 'yes'. Hydrocephalus can be treatable with two types of brain surgeries such as a) Shunt, and b) Endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Whatever the surgery is, it's guided by your pediatric surgeon.
