Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is a condition where too much cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the brain, causing pressure that can damage delicate brain tissue.
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Your brain is surrounded by a clear liquid called cerebrospinal fluid, which acts like a protective cushion. Normally, this fluid flows through small channels in the brain and is absorbed into your bloodstream. Hydrocephalus happens when the flow of this fluid gets blocked or when the body produces more fluid than it can properly drain away.
Because the skull is a hard container that cannot stretch, this extra fluid creates pressure inside the head. This pressure pushes against your brain tissue, which can interfere with how the brain functions. It is a serious condition that needs medical care to manage the pressure and keep the brain healthy.
Common Symptoms
- A persistent, throbbing headache.
- Nausea or frequent vomiting.
- Blurred or double vision.
- Difficulty walking or a feeling that your feet are stuck to the floor.
- Extreme sleepiness or difficulty staying awake.
- Loss of bladder control.
- In infants, a head that is growing unusually fast or a bulging soft spot on the top of the head.