Question 1

is hydrocephalus a terminal illness?

Accepted Answer

No: There are a variety of conditions that can occur with hydrocephalus from severe to not noticeable at all. Depending on the type and severity, a surgical procedure referred to as a vp shunt can be placed. This allows the extra fluid to be reabsorbed from the abdominal area. This has been very successful although complications with infections can crop up.

Question 2

developmentally disabled, non-verbal; seizure disorder and 41yrs. old; not sleeping; ct scan show dilated ventricles; is this
hydrocephalus?

Accepted Answer

Yes &amp; no: If there are no physical signs of increased brain pressure (found on exam), this is likely a form of hydrocephalus called "hydrocephalus ex vacuo". In short, the ventricles can be bigger  if there is not the normal amount of brain matter to fill the space. It is a stable process that would require no treatment. It can be confirmed bt the doc.

Question 3

what does hydrocephalus mean?

Accepted Answer

CSF buildup in head: It's a buildup of spinal fluid in the head. Read the free monograph, Hydrocephalus: An Owner's Manual, at http://surgeonwriter.com/hydrolog/
It's FREE, brief,  informative, and interesting. It will answer many of your questions.

Question 4

how do you treat hydrocephalus?

Accepted Answer

Shunt placement: True symptomatic hydrocephalus  is treated by
draining the ventricles through a small tube. A neurosurgeon preforms this by making a small hole in the skull and passing a thin tube into the lateral ventrical of the brain. This tube is then passed downward under the skin into the abdominal cavity where it allows the cerebral spinal fluid flow from the ventricals.

Question 5

how do i know if i have hydrocephalus?

Accepted Answer

It's not subtle: Hydrocephalus causes headaches, vision problems, sleepiness, etc.
Note: most headaches are NOT hydrocephalus.

Read the free monograph, Hydrocephalus: An Owner's Manual, at http://surgeonwriter.com/hydrolog/
It's FREE, brief, informative, and interesting. It will answer many of your questions.

Good luck.

Question 6

how is hydrocephalus detected in a child ?

Accepted Answer

Depends on age: In infants, hydrocephalus may be suspected with a rapid increasse in head size; in older childre, personality changes, headaches, and other symptoms merit an X-ray of the skull.

Question 7

what are typical symptoms of hydrocephalus?

Accepted Answer

Which type?: Acute high pressure hydrocephalus can bring headache, vomiting, nausea, papilledema (retinal swelling), sleepiness or coma (unarousable unresponsiveness).  Chronic "normal pressure hydrocephalus" occurs over years and brings "magnetic" gait disturbance, then cognitive impairment (inattentive, slowed thinking) and finally bladder incontinence associated with lack of concern or embarrassment.

Question 8

is it true that hydrocephalus is hereditary?

Accepted Answer

No: Hydrochephalus, the obstruction of cerebral spinal fluid can be due to physical obstruction of CSF pathways, blockage of the absorption structures that remove CSF due to hemorrhage in the brain or infection. Tumors may cause narrowing or obstruction in the course of csf.

Question 9

i have hydrocephalus  why is my back crooked?

Accepted Answer

Not sure: If you were born with hydrocephalus, then there was an abnormality in you brain that caused it. These are often associated with spinal abnormalities as well.

Question 10

do hydrocephalus  cause you not  to be hungery?

Accepted Answer

Hydrocephalus: On the contrary, hydrocephalus would be more likely to make you have nausea and vomiting.  Pressure in the head would cause headaches then make you feel extremely sick. Hunger generally would not occur.

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Doctor answers about:

Is hydrocephalus a terminal illness

A member asked:

Is hydrocephalus a terminal illness?

A member asked:

Developmentally disabled, non-verbal; seizure disorder and 41yrs. old; not sleeping; ct scan show dilated ventricles; is this hydrocephalus?

A member asked:

What does hydrocephalus mean?

A member asked:

How do you treat hydrocephalus?

A member asked:

How do i know if i have hydrocephalus?

A member asked:

How is hydrocephalus detected in a child ?

A member asked:

What are typical symptoms of hydrocephalus?

A member asked:

Is it true that hydrocephalus is hereditary?

A member asked:

I have hydrocephalus why is my back crooked?

A member asked:

Do hydrocephalus cause you not to be hungery?

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