Symptoms of hydrocephalus in adults
Hydrocephalus/ hydrocephalus can occur in adults as well as in early childhood. If hydrocephalus/ hydrocephalus develops in an adult, the various symptoms appear much more quickly. This is due to the fact that in adults the skull bones are already firmly fused together at the skull sutures.
This is why the bony skull cannot give a swelling brain any further space. The pressure inside the skull increases faster and presses the delicate brain tissue much more strongly. The symptoms are diffuse headaches, which are particularly severe in the morning.
In addition, nausea is very common and a torrential vomiting, which usually occurs in an empty state. Depending on the level of the resulting pressure, the patient’s state of alertness changes from slightly drowsy to difficult to wake up to comatose. Even a light hydrocephalus can lead to psychological changes such as a general change of character up to a listless and low-drive state (akinetic mutism).
Just like with a baby, double images and seizures can also occur. Other areas can also be affected by the increasing pressure, so that paralysis and movement disorders as well as restrictions in the emptying of the bladder can also occur as complaints. A weakening of breathing and cardiovascular function can also occur in adults as symptoms of hydrocephalus and should then be taken very seriously.
A displacement of the lower parts of the brain through the occipital hole of the skull leads to a pinching of vital areas that control breathing and heartbeat. In an emergency, such a complication can quickly become life-threatening. A somewhat different, typical symptom is hydrocephalus e vacuo. Here, mainly psychological changes and dementia come to light; caused by the decrease in brain substance (brain atrophy). Normal pressure hydrocephalus also shows a typical clinical picture, namely a triad of dementia, incontinence and a gait disorder, which is characterized by small steps, slowing down and shuffling.
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