It May Not be Dementia, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s! Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a brain condition that occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the brain’s ventricles and building up pressure, causing the ventricles to enlarge and press on the…
It May Not be Dementia, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s!
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a brain condition that occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the brain’s ventricles and building up pressure, causing the ventricles to enlarge and press on the brain tissue.
CSF is a fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. NPH can affect people’s walking, thinking, memory, mood, and bladder control. NPH is most common in older adults, and its symptoms can be like those of dementia or Parkinson’s disease.
NPH can be caused by injury, infection, bleeding, tumor, or surgery on the brain, but sometimes the cause is unknown. NPH can be diagnosed by physical exam, brain scans, and spinal tap. Normal Pressure
Hydrocephalus can be treated by surgery by implanting a shunt into one of the ventricles with a drain tube that routes the excess fluid from the brain to the abdomen or heart (Depending on the circumstances). NPH can sometimes be reversed if treated early and properly.
Could it be Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)?
For the past couple of years, I had been having “Senior Moments” coupled with lack of concentration but I simply attributed it to stress brought on by searching for decent freight at acceptable rates!
In November of 2021, my wife started to notice that my “Gait” was getting shorter and wider, I had been noticing that my hands were shaking more than usual and of course ignored it the best I could.
In December of 2022, my Medicare finally kicked-in, so I was able to make an appointment with an Internal Medicine Doctor for a new patient visit.
During my physical, he indicated that he did not believe that I had Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s but rather a disease called Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) or sometimes called “Water on the Brain”.
Not wanting to waste any time, he called a Neurologist in the same complex, suggesting that they run a CT Scan on my head.
The Neurologist was able to book a CT Scan for me that very afternoon, the results indicated that both Lateral Ventricles were definitely enlarged.
I was scheduled for an MRI and associated tests including a Lumbar Puncture to gauge the CSF (Cerebral Spinal Fluid) pressure against my spinal column / brain.
The Fix
Currently, the only treatment for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus is to install a VP Shunt into the brain. The Shunt is comprised of a tube inserted into a ventricle and attached to a “One-Way-Valve” that is placed under the skin.
A tube is connected from the outlet side of the valve and routed into the abdomen where it can allow the CSF to drain. (At times the surgeon will have to place the end into the heart instead of the abdominal cavity)
The Surgery
My surgical procedure only took 30 minutes, but my initial recovery at an in-patient therapy facility took a week. I didn’t have to learn to walk all over again but my balance still wasn’t acceptable at the time.
The Symptoms
The symptoms of NPH are easily confused with Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, and people are frequently misdiagnosed.
Even though NPH is not a “wonderful” disease to have, I believe it is much better than the alternatives! So, before you accept a diagnosis of Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s ask your doctor to “Rule Out” NPH. Following are the common symptoms of NPH:
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- Gait Disturbance (Walking with a Shuffle, Wide Stance)
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- Balance Dysfunction
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- Incontinence
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- Cognitive Impairments / Dementia
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- Tremors
The surgery didn’t “Cure” my NPH, but it made the issue manageable.
From time to time my balance is a bit off, but laying down for a few minutes usually gets rid of the problem.
My concentration is much better now, which means I can negotiate rates like a champ – lol…
QDS Summary:
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