HYDROCEPHALUS

=__HYDROCEPHALUS__= ===Hydrocephalus comes from two Greek words; //Hydro// meaning water, and //Phalus// meaning brain, translating to, "water on the brain." Hydrocephalus is a genetic disorder where fluid inside the skull, known as cerebra-spinal fluid (CSF) begins to build up.=== = = There are many different conditions that may cause hydrocephalus. These consist of a genetic disorder, birth defect, infection, head injury, meningitis, and hemorrhage into the brain. In a birth defect, the cause is most likely an obstruction of the CSF flow in the bloodstream. = =


 * Hydrocephalus in Genes:** Hydrocephalus can be caused by many different diseases and disorders. As a genetic disorder, this illness occurs in the autosome chromosomes (not the sex, or X/Y chromosomes).

**Typical Symptoms**
The symptoms of this condition depend on the age of the hydrocephalec: = =

__INFANTS__ = = - Vomiting - Irritability - Fatigue - Seizures - Inability to look upward = =
 * - Enlarged head**

__OLDER CHILD/ADULT__ = = - Headache - Nausea - Vomiting - Blurred vision - Delayed development in walking or talking - Poor coordination - Problems with balance = =
 * - No enlarged head**

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Effects
If the disease is not treated properly, then hydrocephalus may effect the patient's life greatly. For example, dementia and other forms of mental retardation may occur. However, many people can lead close to normal lives, but get monthly checkups on their condition. = =

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 * Who:** This disease can affect anyone at any time, however, a female is more likely to be a carrier than a male.

**Treatment**
=media type="google" key="3642930906909564009&hl=en"= = = In order to treat Hydrocephalus, you need to improve the flow of CSF in the brain. The most common treatment for this is surgery, where the blockage of the flow may be surgically removed. This form of treatment is usually only used for more serious cases of hydrocephalus. A second common treatment, if the problem can not be surgically removed, or it is not necessary for it to be - involves a shunt, or a small plastic tube. This tube, consisting of a one way valve, may be placed in the brain's bloodstream to let the flow of CSF go around the blockage area, so there is still a flow in the brain. Other treatments include having the shunt placed somewhere outside the brain or somehow removing the parts of the brain which produce CSF. Blockage is a complication of shunt placement, and surgeons have to find ways to replace the shunt. Sometimes they can do it without replacing it, or sometimes they use endoscopic third ventriculostomy, ETV, which relieves the pressure in the brain, also without replacing the shunt. Also, patients have examinations throughout their childhood to check their development level, or treat any other problems that could be occurring. Hydrocephalus is manageable most of the time, but can never be completely cured. Some patients recover well from the treatment, but sometimes the shunts can be faulty, and can malfunction or fail. This situation may result in clog valves. Most complications can be delt with which usually turn out successfully. = =

= = Hydrocephalus can be fatal if not treated properly. With modern medicine and treatments, it is easy to avoid death. However, there are still factors that may lead to death, such as improper surgery, or if the disease is not diagnosed soon enough. Modern medicine has cured many patients (especially children), who may not have made it had it been 50 years ago. Many people who had hydrocephalus as an infant or child lead normal lives today. = =

Hydrocephalus in History
Ever since the 5th century, scientists and doctors have been observing and trying to treat hydrocephalus. A man known as the father of medicine, Happocrates, is supposed to be one of the first to document this condition. At this time, people observed "water on the brain" more than attempted to treat it. A few hundred years later, in the 1300's, a idea was accumulated that presented the idea that the enlarged head, a symptom of hydrocephalus, was caused by a blockage of CSF, as opposed to enlarged ventricles. This idea sparked the interest of other doctors and scientists, and new treatment plans were formed. In the Middle Ages, a surgeon from Arabia documented the current forms of treatment for the disease. From then on, people have been making new observations and finding new ways of treating hydrocephalus. = =

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Discussion Questions
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 * How does hydrocephalus affect an infant? A child/adult?
 * How do you treat hydrocephalus?
 * Can hydrocephalus be cured? Why or why not?
 * How is hydrocephalus passed on?