Dorothy FarrarIncrease in intracranial pressure
The increase in intracranial pressure (hydrocephalus) can be a life-threatening symptom of a brain tumor, after an accident, inflammation or infection. But also general misconduct in everyday life causes the intracranial pressure to increase temporarily.
What is an increase in intracranial pressure?
The increase in intracranial pressure (intracranial pressure increase) is an increase in pressure within the bony cranial cavity. As an acute increase in pressure, it represents a life-threatening emergency that must be treated immediately in intensive care. On the other hand, the chronic increase in pressure occurs slowly and gradually. Therefore, it is often recognized late.
In both cases, there is compression of the brain, possible jamming of parts of the brain and local circulatory disorders due to the increase in venous pressure. An expansion of the cerebrospinal fluid space within the meninges can also lead to external pressure on the sensitive brain. An increase in intracranial pressure manifests itself in recognizable signs of intracranial pressure.
Causes
In the first place among the causes of intracranial pressure increases, because they can demand immense space, are slow and rapidly growing brain tumors. The second important cause of an increase in intracranial pressure is cerebrospinal fluid resorption disorders.
The fluid between our meninges is mainly used to store and protect the brain and to compensate for small pressure fluctuations. If tumors, inflammations, adhesions, infections or mechanical closures cause the fluid to no longer circulate properly, the resulting pressure differences must also be transferred to the brain.
Small bleeding can also occur within the meninges or the cranial cavity, e.g. in multiple sclerosis. A cerebral edema as a cause of the increase in intracranial pressure is formed, for example, in injuries in the craniocerebral area, in oxygen deficiency or in renal insufficiency. Tumors also require additional space with cerebral edema. Especially with an acute increase in intracranial pressure, it can lead to shifts of the brain mass. Clamping occurs, especially on the occipital hole or in the area of the cerebellum.
Further, rather commonplace, causes of an increase in intracranial pressure are due to nutrition. Those who eat a rich meal in the evening, shortly before going to bed, have no small risk of increased intracranial pressure in the morning. People who sleep without a pillow will have severe problems at night. Another example is sunbathing on the beach. Due to direct sunlight, the blood vessels, including the blood vessels in the brain, dilate and release more water into the environment.
When to see a doctor?
An increase in intracranial pressure usually occurs as a result of injury, damage or disease in the area of the skull. If there is a severe headache with nausea and vomiting as well as dizziness and impaired consciousness after a sunstroke or a skull injury, this indicates increased intracranial pressure. Other warning signs that – if not already happened – must be clarified by a doctor are high blood pressure, eye muscle paralysis and a slow pulse.
At the latest when symptoms such as neck stiffness or fever are added, the nearest clinic must be visited immediately. An increase in intracranial pressure is a serious complication that, if left untreated, leads to the death of the patient. It is therefore all the more important to visit a hospital immediately after a traumatic brain injury, sunstroke or stroke. There, the increase in intracranial pressure will be detected and treated promptly. Depending on the cause, the therapy can be lengthy and exhausting for the patient. He often has to carry out regular check-ups in the clinic years after the procedure in order to rule out further complications.
Symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of an increase in intracranial pressure:
- Yawn
The first signs of intracranial pressure can still be quite unspecific. These include an increasing tendency to yawn or hiccups. Dizziness and nausea may show an increase in intracranial pressure, perhaps a special, surge of vomiting on an empty stomach or right after breakfast. The pressure on the cranial nerves can provoke the vision of double vision. Headaches become increasingly noticeable, especially in the neck and forehead area.
The pupil of an eye that is more affected by intracranial pressure may be dilated. Blood pressure may increase while heart rate slows (bradycardia). Consciousness can become more and more clouded up to the point of coma. In the case of a chronic increase in intracranial pressure, adolescents and adults may develop meningitis-like symptoms with neck stiffness, breathing difficulties up to paralysis or stretching cramps.
In infants and young children, where the fontanel is not yet closed, the forehead bulges forward, they are sensitive to touch and vomit in the morning.
Diagnosis
When examining the back of the eye (ophthalmoscopy), the doctor can see a blocked pupil, which can indicate an increase in intracranial pressure. He will note the paralysis of the eye muscle and the bradycardia. He will measure blood pressure, monitor breathing and monitor the patient’s level of consciousness.
After that, he must know everything that could be related to the history of the complaints. It’s possible that an accident contributed, or meningitis . A CT and other imaging tests help determine the cause of the intracranial pressure.
Complications
As a rule, an increase in intracranial pressure must be treated in any case. Without treatment, this can lead to irreversible damage to the brain, which in the worst case can lead to death or severe restrictions in the life of the person affected. In most cases, the increase in intracranial pressure leads to severe pain in the head. This pain often spreads to the neck or back. Those affected continue to suffer from vomiting or nausea and thus a significantly reduced quality of life. Dizziness and disturbances of consciousness also occur.
The pulse is slowed down by the increase in intracranial pressure and high blood pressure occurs. In the worst case, the person concerned loses consciousness completely and falls into a Coma . It cannot be universally predicted whether this will lead to a positive course of the disease. Furthermore, the further course of the increase in intracranial pressure also depends on the cause of this complaint. The treatment is usually carried out with the help of drugs or surgical interventions. It cannot be universally predicted whether this will lead to a reduced life expectancy.
treatment and therapy
If the patient’s situation is already life-threatening due to the increase in intracranial pressure, a so-called trepanation is carried out. The doctor inserts an instrument into the drilled skull that can measure the intracranial pressure. After that, he must primarily ensure that the brain is relieved. For this, parts of the skull are temporarily removed or the patient is at least given an artificial drain for the brain fluid to reduce the pressure.
Next, the doctor will prescribe medication that works to reduce swelling. Glucocorticoids are primarily used, but Diuretics are also used . The patient is being treated in intensive care and needs to be elevated. Once the cause has been found – possibly a tumor or other mechanical obstacles – surgery or cancer treatment can be considered. Often, however, an infection or disease is to blame for the life-threatening symptoms. Then this disease must be treated.
While brain tumors are very rare, meningitis can often be the result of an infection. The main dangers are mumps , Measles , flu and Herpes viruses . Lyme disease is another possibility. Meningitis, the disease caused by meningococci, directly affects portions of the white and gray matter of the brain. Meningitis can also occur in multiple sclerosis or Sarcoid . In severe cases, the patient must be intubated or ventilated.
Prevention
The first prophylaxis for an increase in intracranial pressure should be Vaccination . There are good vaccination programs, at least against bacteria such as meningococci . You can now get vaccinated against Lyme disease . To avoid major injuries, every cyclist should wear a helmet. This is especially true for every motorcyclist. Occupational safety measures are in place to protect your own health. The relevant regulations must be observed.
General recommendations that help avoid a stroke can also be applied to the increase in intracranial pressure. In the summer, drinking a lot and wearing a head protection helps against the dreaded sunstroke or even the increase in intracranial pressure. A pillow for your head is always better than a flat surface. This allows the fluid in the skull to drain more easily and the venous pressure to be kept at a normal level.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.