Cushioning the brain to prevent injury.Allowing the relatively heavy brain to float within the skull.It's absorbed primarily by blood vessels in tissues on the surface of the brain.Ĭerebrospinal fluid plays an important role in brain function by: The fluid eventually flows into spaces around the brain and spinal column. It flows through the ventricles by way of channels. Tissues lining the ventricles of the brain produce cerebrospinal fluid. Hydrocephalus is caused by an imbalance between how much cerebrospinal fluid is produced and how much is absorbed into the bloodstream. The fluid-filled ventricles help keep the brain buoyant and cushioned. This fluid also fills large open structures, called ventricles, which lie deep inside your brain. Your brain floats in a bath of cerebrospinal fluid. It's important to get a timely diagnosis and appropriate care. More than one condition can cause the problems associated with hydrocephalus. Seek prompt medical attention for other hydrocephalus symptoms in any age group. Recurrent vomiting with no clear cause.Seek emergency medical care for infants and toddlers with these symptoms: Trouble walking, often described as shuffling or the feeling of the feet being stuck.Progressive loss of other thinking or reasoning skills.Decline in memory, concentration and other thinking skills that may affect job performance.Īmong adults 60 and older, the more common symptoms of hydrocephalus are:.Loss of bladder control or needing to urinate often.Delays or problems with earlier gained skills, such as walking or talking.Ĭommon symptoms in this age group include:.Loss of bladder control or urinating often.Problems with muscle tone and strength.Īmong toddlers and older children, symptoms might include: Physical symptoms.Eyes fixed downward, known as sunsetting of the eyes.Sleepiness or sluggishness, known as lethargy.A bulge or tense soft spot on the top of the head.A rapid increase in the size of an infant's head.InfantsĬommon symptoms of hydrocephalus in infants include: Changes in the head

The symptoms of hydrocephalus can vary by age.

Hydrocephalus in adults