Intracranial hypertension is the medical term that describes increased pressure in the skull and around the spinal cord, which can have a specific cause, called idiopathic, or caused by trauma or diseases such as a brain tumor, intracranial hemorrhage, nervous system infection, ACV or side effects of certain medications.
Generally, normal pressure inside the skull ranges from 5 to 15 mmHg, but intracranial hypertension is higher than this and because, in the most severe cases, it can prevent blood from entering the skull by stopping oxygenation of the brain.
- If the brain is a very sensitive organ that cannot be oxygenated.
- Hypertension should be treated as quickly as possible at the hospital level and it is generally necessary to keep the person hospitalized for a few days.
Signs and symptoms of intracranial hypertension may include
Persistent headaches;
Change in the level of consciousness;
Vomiting
Vision changes, such as dilated pupils, dark spots, blurred or double vision;
Tinnitus in the ear;
Paralysis of a limb or side of the body;
The pain in the hands is the neck.
In some cases, there may even be blindness of time, while anyone can be blind at certain times of the day; in other people, this can become permanent, depending on how it affects the optic nerve.
Intracranial hypertension is usually caused by a situation that results in an increase in the size of the brain or the amount of brain fluid. The most common causes are:
Cranioencephalic trauma (TBI);
ACV;
Brain tumor;
Infection in the brain, such as meningitis or encephalitis;
Hydrocephalus
In addition, any change in the vessels that suck blood into the brain, allowing the circulation of brain fluid, can also cause increased pressure.
When a cause cannot be identified, hypertension is generally defined as idiopathic intracranial hypertension, meaning that the trigger for the disorder is lost.
Your doctor may order intracranial hypertension only through symptoms and when there are no other causes that may be causing the changes.
However, several tests are often needed to confirm the diagnosis and find the source, most common errors include CT, MRI, or even lumbar puncture.
Treatment for intracranial hypertension is usually done in the hospital and depends on the cause. However, it is common for treatment to include intravenous administration of corticosteroids, diuretics or barbiturates, which will reduce the amount of fluid in the skull and reduce pressure.
In addition, it is recommended that the person rest rests against the mouth and extends at a 30-degree angle to help drain brain fluid, avoid moving the head as this increases pressure in the veins.