Overview
This is a rare condition associated with raised fluid (cerebrospinal fluid CSF) around the brain. It tends to affect young women, especially those who are overweight, and has also been linked with some drug treatments (birth control pills, antibiotics, some acne treatment and steroids for example). The headaches can be daily and disabling and can result in visual loss; which if not treated quickly can be permanent. The raised pressures can press on the nerves supplying the eyes (papilloedema) which can affect vision. Although it can happen it anyone, it is more common in women (90%).
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Patients will describe headaches which are worst when flat and eased on being upright, they may also describe visual changes (blurry or double vision and loss of vision especially in the periphery). People may also describe feeling dizzy, vomiting, neck stiffness, pulsatilla tinnitus, and trouble walking. Headaches may be worst when doing things that increase pressures for example coughing, sneezing or straining.
Looking for any swelling of the optic nerve at the back of the eyes as well as imaging of the brain and lumbar punctures to measure the pressure in the fluid around the brain might be carried out. This will aid in the diagnosis and occasionally taking some fluid off during the lumbar puncture may help relieve some of the symptoms temporarily.
Treatments, Key Areas We Specialise In & Prognosis
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