Hydrocephalus:What you should know>>>>>>>>>>>

Its is not rampant, but many are familiar with the ill-health known as "hydrocephalus"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. Hydrocephalus is a medical condition which refers to accumulation of water(Cerebrospinal Fluid) in the brain.It causes the intracranial pressure to increase inside the skull thereby

causing enlargement of the head in children.Cerebrospinal fluid is a watery substance similar to the composition of blood plaslma which helps to protect the brain and the spinal chord.The cerebrospinal fluid is produced and drained at a constant rate, however any obstruction to the circulation results to the accumulation of the fluid and exerts pressure on the brain.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
                       >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Hydrocephalus is derived from the Greek words "hydro"

meaning water and "cephalus" meaning head.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Hydrocephalus can be caused by

congenital or acquired factors which may be seen as the two types of primary hydrocephalus.The major

types of hydrocephalus are communicating and non-communicating hydrocephalus.
>>>>>>>>>>Hydrocephalus may produce different symptoms in people with different ages>>>>>

Infants

Early signs of hydrocephalus in infants include:

• bulging fontanel, or soft spot on the surface of the skull
• a rapid increase in head circumference
• eyes that are fixed downward
• seizures
• extreme fussiness
• vomiting
• excessive sleepiness
• poor feeding
• low muscle tone and strength

Toddlers and Older Children

Symptoms or signs that affect toddlers and older children include:

• short, high-pitched cries
• personality changes
• changes in facial structure
• crossed eyes
• headaches
• muscle spasms
• delayed growth
• trouble eating
• extreme sleepiness
• irritability
• loss of coordination
• loss of bladder control
• larger than normal head
• trouble staying awake or waking up
• vomiting or nausea
• seizures
• problems concentrating

Young and Middle-Aged Adults

Symptoms in young and middle-aged adults include:

• chronic headaches
• loss of coordination
• difficulty walking
• bladder problems
• vision problems
• poor memory
• difficulty concentrating

  Causes may include>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

• a birth defect in which the spinal column doesn’t close
• a genetic abnormality

• central nervous system infections such as meningitis
• injuries that occur before, during, or after delivery
• head trauma
• central nervous system tumors

Hydrocephalus can be managed by inserting a shunt into the ventricle that drains off the excessive fluid which is the most familiar way of letting the accumulated fluid out and at the normal rate. Also ventriculostomy can be