How do you recognize brain pressure signs at the pupil?
Under certain circumstances, looking at the pupils may also reveal indications of increased intracranial pressure. The increase in intracranial pressure can lead to a compression of the nerve responsible for the narrowing of the pupil (oculomotor nerve). If the function of this nerve is impaired by the compression, a dilated pupil appears on the affected side (or on both sides if the intracranial pressure is increased on both sides).
In addition, the pupillary reflex, i.e. the narrowing of the pupil in response to illumination of the eye with an examination lamp, is weakened or even completely absent. For laypersons, it is sometimes very difficult to judge whether pupil width and reaction are normal or abnormal. If anything is unclear, or if there are other symptoms such as persistent headaches or nausea, you should consult a doctor to clarify the situation!
What are chronic cerebral pressure signs?
If the increase in intracranial pressure persists over a long period of time, chronic damage can occur over time that is difficult or impossible to reverse. In principle, any type of neurological impairment is possible, from movement disorders (paralysis, coordination disorders) to sensory disorders (numbness, paresthesia). However, visual disturbances are particularly common, which usually manifest themselves in the form of a reduction in visual acuity. In addition, some patients have a disturbed color perception and the dark adaptation (adaptation of vision to dark surroundings with little light incidence) can be limited.
This is how you can recognize brain pressure signs in babies
Since a baby cannot express itself clearly about its symptoms, the detection of increased intracranial pressure is particularly difficult here. In general, parents should be alarmed if their infant behaves in an unusually listless or even apathetic manner (this is typical for an increase in intracranial pressure, but also occurs in many other serious clinical pictures). Vomiting can also be an indication of increased intracranial pressure, but is more likely to be due to a gastrointestinal infection in the majority of cases.
Just like in adults, a dilation of the pupils and a weakening of the light response (narrowing of the pupils in response to light) are considered to be signs of intracranial pressure in babies. In addition, a disproportionately rapid increase in the circumference of the baby’s head (as a rule of thumb, the normal rate is about 1 mm per day) and bulging, bulging fontanelles (skull sutures) are also considered to be signs of intracranial pressure, which should result in immediate medical consultation. Further possible indications may be a stiff neck or opisthotonus (backward tilt of the head) as well as swallowing difficulties with frequent belching. Finally, the “sunset phenomenon” should also be mentioned: In babies with increased intracranial pressure, a white stripe can often be seen between the upper edge of the iris (the part of the eye that determines eye color) and the upper lid.
