Can Water In Brain Affect Day To Day Lives ?

Have you heard about “water in the brain”? That condition is commonly known as hydrocephalus or “fluid in the brain.” Most adults can have this condition. Let us explore more about water in the brain. 

What is hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus is a condition, where unusual cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) develops inside the brain. This fluid will further cause cavities, referred to as ventricles, just to expand, which adds pressure on the brain tissue. In a few cases, hydrocephalus is present at birth, and it can also be developed later due to damage or injury. 

Typically in a day human body produces sufficient CSF just to flow through the ventricles, around the spinal cord, and the brain before being absorbed into the bloodstream. When too much fluid builds up, it can interfere with the brain’s normal function. 

What are the signs of water in the brain?

Both kids and adults will experience the signs of hydrocephalus in different ways. Most common symptoms can include:

Water on the brain symptoms in infants and children:

• Abnormally large head
• Seizures 
• Difficulty in eating or feeding 
• A visible bulge on the top of the head
• Vomiting 
• Sleepiness 
• Irritability 
• Loss of progress in development 

Symptoms in adults:

• Trouble with vision
• Poor coordination 
• Headaches 
• Balance issues 
• Personality changes 
• Slow movements 
• Vomiting and nausea 
• Difficulty in waking up 

What are the causes of fluid in the brain?

Several factors can trigger hydrocephalus, it can be either congenital or acquired. Both genetic and environmental factors will influence congenital hydrocephalus. Further, congenital hydrocephalus causes include: 

• Narrowed passage. 
• Preterm birth, like bleeding within ventricles. 
• Pregnancy infections, like rubella, can cause swelling in the fetal brain tissue. 

Acquired hydrocephalus will affect individuals at any point in life, further, the most common cause of fluid in the brain of adults include: 

• Stroke 
• Head trauma 
• Spinal cord or brain tumors 
• Meningitis 

What are the types of hydrocephalus?

There are a few types of hydrocephalus that you need to know about, 

• Congenital hydrocephalus:

It is present from birth and can be caused by events during fetal development or by genetic abnormalities. 

• Acquired hydrocephalus:

This type of hydrocephalus develops either at birth or in adulthood, usually due to injury or disease. 

• Communicating hydrocephalus:

This type of hydrocephalus occurs when there is no blockage in the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricular system. It happens either because the CSF is not absorbed properly or because there is no abnormal increase in the amount of CSF produced. 

Who is likely to get hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus can affect both children and adults. Babies may be born with hydrocephalus (known as congenital hydrocephalus) or develop it soon after birth. In these cases, some potential cause of fluid on brain include:

• Infections during pregnancy causing inflammation 
• Abnormalities during birth that block the flow of CSF
• Developmental disorders
• Complications of premature birth

What are the effects of hydrocephalus in day-to-day life?

Hydrocephalus or water in the brain can have several effects on day-to-day life. A few of the common effects include:

• Cognitive issues: 

Individuals will face issues with concentrating, problem-solving, and fail to do multitask as well, it will negatively impact each nook and corner of your lives like if you are working professional your performance in the workplace will be affected, or if you are a student you may fail to succeed in academics. 

• Mental health: 

The frustration of living with limitations can result in depression, lack of self-esteem, and social withdrawal. 

• Social life: 

Usually with hydrocephalus your social life and relationships will be greatly affected. Individuals will find it hard to maintain relationships due to their symptoms, which may also result in feelings of loneliness. 

How different age groups are affected by hydrocephalus? 

• Effects on kids: 

Usually, kids with hydrocephalus will majorly lack developmental milestones such as talking or walking. Even some will experience cognitive challenges, and eventually academic progress will be affected. 

• Impact on adults: 

Adults will also experience hydrocephalus in the same way as they will feel difficulty in working due to cognitive fog, fatigue, and headaches, so individuals overall productivity will be reduced. 

• Consequences on elderly people: 

In elderly individuals, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus(NPH) will cause gait issues, memory loss, and urinary incontinence. At times, you may ignore this by considering it as a dementia or age-related issue. 

How to diagnose hydrocephalus? 

Neurological evaluation can diagnose hydrocephalus. Neurosurgery doctor in Coimbatore will suggest brain imaging diagnostic options like ultrasounds, computer tomography, and MRI. Other diagnostic tests performed in adults include: 

•  Spinal tap 

• ICP (intracranial pressure monitoring), to measure pressure a tiny pressure monitor will be inserted into your brain. 
• Fundoscopic exam, in which specific devices will be used to view your optic nerve at the back of your eyes. 

You may think that hydrocephalus will resolve on its own, but when you leave it untreated it may cause life-threatening issues. Thus, early diagnosis and precise treatment can only help you to recover from this.

How is hydrocephalus treated? 

You need to understand that there are no actual ways to prevent or cure for hydrocephalus, the only way to treat this condition includes surgery. The surgeries performed to treat hydrocephalus are: 

• Shunt: 

The most common treatment offered for hydrocephalus is the placement of a shunt, which is a medical device. A shunt is a flexible tube placed in your brain, it will drain CSF to another part of your body where it can be absorbed. 

• Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV): 

In your third ventricle floor, a tiny hole will be made to perform this surgery, this helps CSF to normally move on and around your brain. Doctors will recommend this surgery for kids above the age of 2. 

Can I completely recover from hydrocephalus? 

Hydrocephalus is a persistent condition, which can be managed with effective treatment and care. Advanced treatment options have greatly improved the quality of life and long-term outcomes for individuals with hydrocephalus. Simply, the timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and consistent monitoring of the condition play a magical role. 

Also, treatments help in managing hydrocephalus, but they won’t cure the condition. For instance, you should frequently replace or adjust the shunts because malfunctions, blockages, and infections can occur. Long-term monitoring is crucial to check the effectiveness and to detect any complications early. 

Further, the outcomes greatly vary based on your age, overall health, and the severity of the condition. When diagnosed and treated early, kids with this condition can live fulfilling lives with proper care, therapy, and support. With the help of lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, and frequent screenings, adults and elderly people can manage their symptoms. 

Always remember that complete recovery may not be always possible, but with effective management, you can thrive better, overcome challenges, and enjoy a good quality of life. 

Will I get any issues after undergoing hydrocephalus treatment? 

You can live a normal life for decades without facing any complications, but at any time things can get changed. Notably, individuals with shunts should get frequent health checkups, because shunts may break or become infected. If this occurs, you need to undergo another brain surgery. 

You should consider getting help from your healthcare provider when facing shunt failure symptoms. These signs will look similar to the symptoms of hydrocephalus, like: 

• Headache 
• Vision issues 
• Vomiting 
• Fatigue 

Other symptoms include: 

• Soreness in neck or shoulder muscles 
• Mild fever 
• Seizures 
• Redness along the shunt area 

What are the organs affected by hydrocephalus? 

As all we know, hydrocephalus primarily affects the brain, but the consequences will affect other systems and organs of the body due to the brain’s role in regulating several functions of the body. CSF will increase the pressure in the brain, which will disturb regions responsible for movement, balance, vision, cognition, and emotional regulation. 

Further, your musculoskeletal system can also be affected, hydrocephalus can cause various issues with walking, poor coordination, and muscle weakness due to disturbed brain signaling. In individuals with normal pressure hydrocephalus, the urinary system will get affected, resulting in urinary incontinence when brain cells controlling bladder functions are affected. 

Additionally, the nervous system will be affected, you will experience headaches, fatigue, seizures, and cognitive deficits like memory loss and impaired concentration. Due to altered brain activity, emotional and behavioral changes can occur, like irritability and depression. 

Are there any tips to enhance the quality of my life with hydrocephalus? 

Post-treatment caregivers play a crucial role in offering you encouragement and understanding. They also help you to lead a comfortable life. Further, the tips to improve your quality of life include:  

• Managing day-to-day signs: 

Individuals with cognitive challenges can try setting reminders, schedules, and can also use assistive devices. 

• Adaptive tools: 

To cope with your physical limitations, you can try using mobility aids and ergonomic tools, and you can effectively improve your quality of life. 

• Healthy lifestyle practices: 

Making lifestyle modifications like following a balanced diet, daily exercise, and managing stress can improve overall well-being. 

Can I live a long life with hydrocephalus? 

With appropriate treatment and management, individuals with hydrocephalus can live a long life. Further, medical advancements in treatment options like shunt systems and ETV have made it possible for individuals with hydrocephalus to effectively manage their condition. Timely diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing complications that could impact long-term health. People who frequently undergo follow-up checkups with their healthcare team can highly avoid severe symptoms caused by fluid build-up in the brain. 

The severity of your condition, overall health, and how you manage your treatment will greatly influence the quality of your life. For example, shunt requires frequent screening or replacement to ensure they are functioning properly. Cognitive support, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes help patients manage mobility issues, memory challenges, and emotional well-being. Assistance from your family members, caregivers, and friends plays a huge role in improving day-to-day living. 

Simply, with the right medical care and support individuals with hydrocephalus can thrive in schools, work, and even relationships. So reach out to the best neurosurgery hospital in Coimbatore to treat your conditions effectively. Also, hydrocephalus can impose challenges but will affect how long you live. 

Important takeaway: 

In conclusion, we can say that, with appropriate treatment and follow-up care, several individuals live a normal life with hydrocephalus. Even will experience hydrocephalus symptoms in different ways. You need to closely work with your doctor to get the care you need. However, like all the conditions, hydrocephalus will also pose several issues for your kid’s cognitive and physical development. So parents of hydrocephalus kids should discuss this with their healthcare provider to ensure positive outcomes.