What is hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus is a medical term created from Greek words hydro for "water" and cephalus for "head". Hydrocephalus, formerly known as head at the head, is an incurable neurological disorder characterized by excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in four brain chambers. CSF is a basic fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain. Performs three vital functions: to check the amount of blood flow in the brain; to carry nutrients and proteins into the brain while eliminating waste; and pour the brain from any shock. Once the CSF is made, it flows through normally narrow paths connecting four chambers and then rises at the base of the brain before it is immediately absorbed into the bloodstream.

hydrocephalus occurs when the production or absorption of CSF is disrupted, which prevents CSF naturally flowing. As a result, CSF accumulates, leading to unusual enlargement of ventricles and thus increasing pressure on brain tissues. The prolonged pressure of CSF affects the blood supply to the brain and disrupts the ability tot brain to perform normal functions. This condition may disrupt undiagnosed and untreated and untreated, the abilities of the idea, the ability of learning and coordinated skills movements.

Hydrocephalus primarily affects children. Is diagnosed in one of each 500 birth and falls into one of the two categories:

1. Congenital or acquired

congenital hydrocephalus is already present at birth. This may be due to genetic predisposition or environment factors, such as infections and prenatal bleeding or fetal bleeding, during fetal development. Meanwhile, the obtained hydrocephalus or detected later will appear during birth. This type is the result of diseases such as meningitis, tumors and cysts. Injuries and trauma in the head can also bring this condition.

2. Communication or non -communicating

CommunicationACE hydrocephalus is a condition in which CSF flows normally between four chambers, but after leaving it is blocked. Unlike that, the non -communicating hydrocephalus or obstructive hydrocephalus exists when the CSF flow is hampered along the narrow roads between the chambers.

The occurrence of hydrocephalus in adults is currently unknown. However, each case falls into one of the two types below:

3.

NPH is common in people over 55 years. The primary cause of NPH is the trauma of the head, such as infection and bleeding in the brain. In this case, even if the chambers are enlarged, the pressure in the brain remains unchanged. On the left is not treated, NPH will eventually lead to memory or dementia.

4.

This state may occur in people of any age. This occurs when a serious brain damage occurs, such as traumatic damage or stroke. These injuries reduce brain tissues, allowingThe presence of too much CSF in the chambers while maintaining a normal amount of pressure in the brain. Although this disorder is irreversible, it is not a health danger and therefore does not require treatment.

It is essential to diagnose and treat hydrocephalus as soon as possible to minimize or prevent the development of other long -term problems affecting learning and physical abilities.