What Causes Intracranial Pressure?

The part of the skull that houses the brain is called the cranium. When pressure builds up inside the cranium beyond normal limits, a person is said to experience increased intracranial pressure. Increased intracranial pressure can lead to several problems including headaches, distorted vision, speech problems and even death. There are several conditions that can cause an increase in intracranial pressure.

Meningitis

• Meningitis is an infection that causes the lining of the brain to swell, which increases intracranial pressure. According to the National Institutes of Health, viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis, and it afflicts children more often than adults. Viral meningitis will often clear up on its own. Bacterial meningitis is a more serious infection and requires immediate medical attention. If left untreated, it can lead to serious injury or death.

Aneurysm

• According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 5% of people in the United States have an aneurysm in the brain. An aneurysm is a blood vessel that has a weakened section that has expanded or ballooned out. An aneurysm that is unusually large or one that bursts can cause increased intracranial pressure. An aneurysm that has burst, or ruptured, is a serious medical condition and requires immediate medical attention.

Encephalitis

• Encephalitis is a viral infection of the brain. It is different from meningitis, which is an infection of the lining of the brain. Encephalitis can be caused by an insect bite, eating or drinking infected foods or contact with a person who is infected. According to the National Institutes of Health, it is an uncommon infection and is most dangerous to infants or elderly people. It can cause increased intracranial pressure because of the brain tissue swelling and because of increased blood in the brain as the body tries to fight off the infection.

Subdural Hematoma

• Subdural hematomas, which is the pooling of blood on the surface of the brain, are usually caused by an injury to the head. They can be acute--which means blood is gathering quickly--or chronic, which means the blood is pooling more slowly over time. The pooling blood leads to an increase in intracranial pressure. Both types of subdural hematoma are serious medical conditions that require immediate treatment.

Stroke

• There are two types of stroke. One is called an ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blood clot restricts blood flow to the brain. The second is called a hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessels breaks open and causes blood to leak into the brain tissue. A hemorrhagic stroke is the type of stroke that can cause increased intracranial pressure.