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Hi Ive been reading about normal pressure hydrocephalus
It's a condition mostly effecting people over 60 where there is an
increased pressure on the brain, the symptoms are the same as dementia!
It can be cured with a shunt but older people are rarely tested or treated,
as its just assumed they have dementia. If left untreated it causes permanent
damage which can't be reversed.
What Is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus?
The brain and spinal cord are surrounded by a clear fluid called cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF). This fluid is produced and stored in cavities in the brain called
ventricles. It circulates around the brain, moving from ventricle to ventricle.
The purposes of the fluid are to cushion and protect the brain and spinal
cord, to supply them with nutrients, and to remove some of their waste
products. Any excess fluid drains away from the brain and is absorbed by
veins at the top of the brain.
Hydrocephalus is a condition in which there is too much CSF in the ventricles.
This occurs when the natural system for draining and absorbing extra CSF
does not work right. The ventricles enlarge to accommodate the extra fluid
and then press on different parts of the brain, causing a number
of different symptoms. Hydrocephalus has many different causes. Some
people are born with the condition, while others develop it during their lives.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a type of hydrocephalus that usually
occurs in older adults. The average age of person with NPH is over age 60.
NPH is different than other types of hydrocephalus in that it develops slowly
over time. The drainage of CSF is blocked gradually, and the excess fluid builds
up slowly. The slow enlargement of the ventricles means that the fluid pressure
in the brain may not be as high as in other types of hydrocephalus. However,
the enlarged ventricles still press on the brain and can cause symptoms
(the term "normal pressure" is somewhat misleading).
The parts of the brain most often affected in NPH are those that control the legs,
the bladder, and the "cognitive" mental processes such as memory, reasoning,
problem solving, and speaking. This decline in mental processes, if it is severe
enough to interfere with everyday activities, is known as dementia. Other
symptoms include abnormal gait (difficulty walking), inability to hold urine
(urinary incontinence), and, occasionally, inability to control the bowels.
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus | Hydrocephalus Association
Who develops Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus?
NPH is most commonly seen in older adults.
- It is estimated that more than 700,000 Americans have NPH, but less than
- 20% receive an appropriate diagnosis.
- Without appropriate diagnostic testing, NPH is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s
- disease or Parkinson’s disease, or the symptoms are attributed to the aging process.
- NPH is one of the few causes of dementia that can be controlled or reversed with
- treatment.
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