Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is produced in the brain and is needed by the body to protect the brain and the spinal code, it carry’s away waste from the brain cells. too much cerebral spinal fluids puts a harmful amount of pressure onthe brain tissues and treatment is needed to release this pressure, hydrocephalous can be present at birth or develop later in child hood or adult hood. In adults it is usually normal pressure hydrocephalous (NPH) and this usually develops in people with over 60 years because the drainage of the cerebral spinal fluids gradually becomes blocked.
Causes
of Hydrocephalus
HC can affect most children born with
spina bifida (SB) but there can be other causes like the damage to the blood supply
or an infection may affect the body’s development before birth.
Many babies with hydrocephalous are also
born prematurely.
HC is often associated with conditions
that affect the brain or spinal column such as meningitis and spina bifida.
Currently 80-90% of people with spina bifida also have hydrocephalous. Other
types of the condition can also be caused by cysts or tumors in the brain that
block the flow of the cerebral spinal fluids however the main cause for
congenital hydrocephalous is not known.
Symptoms
of hydrocephalous
In children: since the skull is still
forming and the bones are not yet fixed together as in adulthood, HC can cause
enlargement of the child’s head , other symptoms include
Vomiting, Delayed growth and development,
Sun setting eyes, Poor feeding, Head growing bigger than the normal size, Irritability
and less movement than normal.
Many children with hydrocephalous also
display symptoms that can be mistaken for nuttiness such as verbal aggression
and swearing, hyperactivity, not paying attention and generally usual behaviors
and they may also experience leaning difficulties at school.
In Adults: The skull is fixed and cannot
adjust to change in pressure but they can present with the following symptoms:-
Headache followed by vomiting, Nausea, Downward
deviation of the eyes (the eyes look downwards) , Urinary incontinence, Poor
coordination (Clumsiness), Difficulty in walking , irritability and other
changes in personality.
Treatment
of hydrocephalus
The aim of any treatment for hydrocephalous
is to release the pressure on the brain caused by the buildup for cerebral
spinal fluids.
If the cause of hydrocephalus is a tumor
on the brain then surgery to remove the tumor may be carried out, for all other
causes, a shunt operation may be required.
HC affect both mental and physical
development and thus a team of specialists is often required to assist with
treatment for this condition but with the right treatment and a lot of support,
many people with HC live a normal life with a few limitations.
Complications
On the other hand, if HC is no treated
other complications like blindness spasticity (cerebral palsy) and brain damage
can occur.
Prevention
of hydrocephalus
Folic acid when taken has been proved to
be effective as a primary prevention to avoid neural tube defects including
spina bifida. in order to derive enough folic acids from foods , one has to eat
more than different types of fruits per a day like mangoes and guavas among
others with the highest rate of folic acid.
Other
foods include:
Fresh avocado , spinach, fresh mangoes,
pawpaw’s, cooked green peas , cooked fresh maize, cooked pumpkin leaves, fresh
bananas , boiled eggs , boiled cassava, properly cooked liver among others.
Finally
the following is also important
Myths
about Hydrocephalous:
It cannot be transmitted through contact
with an infected person, HC is not a curse, It cannot be transmitted through
toilet seats or door handles, It is not an air born disease, There is no
witchcraft involved
Fats
about hydrocephalus:
It is curable, The patients need medical
rehabilitation, Pregnant mothers need to eat food rich in folic acid, Children
with HC are still children and need to be loved and cared for, Fathers with
such children need to support the mothers of these children .
Contributed by: N Flavia , A regular Contributor at lifespot Icons , An experienced comprehensive nurse working with the Uganda Local government
