How to Different Types of Hydrocephalus

"Hydro" means water and "cephalus" means head; quite correctly Hydrocephalus is also called water on the brain. The fluid isn't actually water, it is cerebrospinal fluid or CSF. It is a clear liquid that surrounds both the brain and the spinal cord. In rare cases surgery is performed to fix the problem, but for the most part people suffering from this condition will have to get a shunt inserted in order to keep the fluid draining properly.

Things You'll Need

• List of Different Types

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Instructions

• 1

  Determine if the cause is congenital. Congenital hydrocephalus is is present when a baby is born and is caused because of something that happened while the baby was developing in utero. It can also be because of genetics. You can tell if an infant has hydrocephalus if their head increases in size, if they have vomiting, irritability, sleepiness, and strange eyes.

• 2

  Determine if the cause is acquired. This type can affect individuals of all ages. It usually occurs because of an injury or other disease. You can tell if an adult has acquired hydrocephalus by headaches, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, blurred vision, loss of coordination, loss of memory, mood swings, and even urinary incontinence.

• 3

  Determine if the hydrocephalus is ex-vacuo. This type occurs when a patient has had a stroke or severe injury to their brain. With they type of hydrocephalus the brain can actually shrink. The symptoms include: headaches, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, blurred vision, loss of coordination, loss of memory, mood swings, and even urinary incontinence.

• 4

  Determine if the hydrocephalus is normal pressure. This type is the most common type found in elderly patients even though it can occur to anyone at anytime. There are several ways one can get this type of hydrocephalus. Some of those ways are complication from a recent surgery, a type of infection, a tumor, some type of head trauma, a subarachnoid hemorrhage, or an unknown cause.