Increased intracranial pressure involves a rise in the pressure surrounding the brain. It might be due to an increase in the quantity of fluid around the brain.
An increase in the ICP indicates that the brain tissue is swollen either from injury or from an ailment such as meningitis. It might also due to brain injury. As a life-threatening condition, seek immediate medical care if any symptoms are present.
Indications
- Nausea
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Diminished mental abilities
- High blood pressure
- Double vision
A direct strike to the head is the usual cause of increased intracranial pressure. - Confusion on time, location and people as the pressure increases
- Seizures
- Shallow breathing
- Pupils that do not respond to changes in light
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
Causes and risk factors
A direct strike to the head is the usual cause of increased intracranial pressure. Other possible causes include:
- Tumors
- Infections
- Stroke
- Seizures
- Aneurysm
- Epilepsy
- Hydrocephalus which is the buildup of spinal fluid in the brain cavities
- Meningitis which is inflammation of the meninges
- Hypertensive brain injury
- Hypoxemia
Management
The main objective of treatment is to lower the pressure within the skull. The next objective is to deal with any underlying conditions.
The effective treatments to lower the pressure include drainage of the fluid via a shunt or a small-sized hole into the skull or via the spinal cord. The medications such as mannitol and hypertonic saline can also lower the pressure. These work by eliminating fluids from the body. Since anxiety can worsen the increased intracranial pressure by raising the blood pressure, a sedative might be given as well.
If treatment is delayed or the intracranial pressure is not reduced, it can result to temporary brain damage, permanent brain damage, long-term coma and even death. The earlier treatment is started to lower the pressure on the brain, the better the outcome.