Intracranial hypertension is the increase in pressure inside the skull caused by increased brain size or amount of fluid due to tumor, hemorrhage, infection, stroke or side effect of medications.
Generally, normal pressure within the skull ranges from 5 to 15 mmHg, but in intracranial hypertension is above this value and therefore, in more severe cases can prevent blood from entering the skull, and there is no oxygenation of the brain.
Benign intracranial hypertension
Benign intracranial hypertension, also called idiopathic intracranial hypertension, is characterized by increased pressure within the skull without a specific cause and occurs mainly in young and overweight women.
Benign intracranial hypertension causes headaches and sometimes ringing in the ears and should be treated at home with diuretic medicines such as acetazolamide to avoid consequences such as blindness.
Treatment for intracranial hypertension
Treatment for intracranial hypertension is usually done at hospital admission and depends on its cause. However, treatment may include injecting corticoids, diuretics, or barbiturates into the vein, which decrease the amount of fluid in the skull and reduce pressure.
In addition, the patient should lie flat on the stomach and with his or her back tilted at 30º to facilitate drainage of the cerebral fluid, as well as avoid moving the head, as this increases the pressure in the veins.
Symptoms of intracranial hypertension
Symptoms of intracranial hypertension include:
- Headache;
- Vision changes;
- Nausea;
- Vomiting;
- Dizziness.
The individual with these symptoms should go to a hospital as soon as possible to diagnose the cause of the problem and initiate appropriate treatment.
