Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is derived from the Greek word –hydro which means water, and cephalus meaning head. Hydrocephalus is also known as water head baby, which is water on the brain. Hydrocephalus is medical condition that 1 out of 500 babies are born with. The first thing that comes to a parent mind when having a baby is whether it will be healthy or not. Hydrocephalus is a medical condition in which, there is an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the cavities (ventricles) of the brain, which may cause an increase of pressure on the head. Even though has been described as “water on the brain” it is a clear fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain called (CSF) cerebrospinal fluid. The excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid is an result in an abnormal widening of spaces in the brain called ventricles. The fluid has an effect that helps prevent the vital brain tissue from injury. The fluid is made continuously from the blood by specialized cells of the choroid plexus in the brain ventricles. Hydrocephalus has six different classifications. Communicating is happens when the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is blocked after it exits the ventricles and Non-Communicating is when the flow of CSF is blocked along one or more of the narrow pathways connecting the ventricles, which is also known as obstructive. Congenital hydrocephalus is present at birth and may be caused by environmental influences during fetal development or by genetic factors. Acquired hydrocephalus develops at the time of birth or at some point afterward and can affect individuals of all ages and may be caused by injury or disease. Hydrocephalus Ex-Vacuo occurs when there is damage to the brain caused by stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI) and in this case, there may be actual shrinkage (atrophy, or wasting) of brain tissue. Normal pressure hydrocephalus can occur in people of any age, but it is most common in the elderly population. The last two that I mentioned