Disease intracranial pressure. Methods for determining and measuring ICP. Drugs that reduce intracranial pressure

The name of the pathology "intracranial pressure", sometimes abbreviated as ICP, speaks for itself. But let's take a closer look at where exactly it increases, what are the symptoms and signs, when a person has increased intracranial pressure, and how is it treated?

Intracranial is called an increase in pressure in the cranium, in particular, when the meninges and its sinuses, subarachnoid and epidural spaces, and some other departments are exposed to it. This phenomenon is caused by cerebrospinal fluid, called "liquor", accumulates or, conversely, its deficiency is formed. As a result of violation of its circulation, fluctuations in intracranial pressure are formed.

In adults people on average during the day formed approximately liter of liquor, which causes no change in pressure. This is due to the continuous absorption of CSF by the venous vessels of the brain. With various deviations, normal absorption does not occur, as a result, the remaining cerebrospinal fluid is excessive for the cavity in which it has accumulated, which leads to an increase in the indicator. The result is increased intracranial pressure. Summing up this part, we can conclude that the degree of intracranial pressure depends on the volume of cerebrospinal fluid, how well it circulates and the correct functioning of its absorption function.

The force with which the CSF presses on the walls of the ventricle can change. For example, like changes in blood pressure (BP), intracranial increases and decreases under the influence of various causes. This is a normal situation in adults up to a certain limit, after which it is fixed sustained excess indicator of ICP, which already refers to pathology.

Where does increased intracranial pressure come from?

Excessive production of cerebrospinal fluid or insufficiency of its consumption does not appear out of nowhere. Among the causes of the disease, the following diseases and disorders of the brain can be distinguished:

The presence of a bulky brain tumor, which may be malignant or benign
Inflammatory process of an infectious nature, for example, during meningitis
Thrombophlebitis in the sinuses, leading to a violation of their lumen and patency
Consequences of skull injuries, due to which large hematomas appear
Late pregnancy for women, when toxicosis leads to exorbitant jumps in blood pressure for short periods of time
Postponed ischemic stroke
Children and adults may develop increased intracranial pressure due to a congenital disorder of the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid, called hydrocephalus, which can manifest itself from birth. One of its causes is the infectious diseases carried by the pregnant woman.

Often, an increase in ICP occurs after injury leading to rupture of the aneurysm. In addition, pathologies associated with physical changes in the head, for example, due to tumors, serious brain diseases, and even poisoning, can be the cause. In any of the situations described, a different treatment is required, the disease should not be left to chance.

Symptoms when adults have increased intracranial pressure?

The usual indicator is the pressure in the cranium up to 15 millimeters of mercury. This is highly elevated around 30, in such a situation, a person usually faints. With further progression, even brain death is possible. Obviously, the pathology requires an immediate response in both adults and children in order to treat and remove the danger. To do this, you need to know the symptoms and signs of increased intracranial pressure.

The symptoms of this disease are:

Frequent pain in the head, especially in the morning
Unreasonable urge to vomit
Increased sweating
Increased heart rate at rest
Problems with the eyes of various kinds, they can double, flicker
The presence of bruises and small bruises in the eye area
Man gets tired quickly
Decreased joint mobility
Weak potency and libido

If the symptoms described above arose due to a head injury and at the same time there is instability of consciousness, drowsiness, fainting, then it is likely that the brain is damaged. In this situation, you must definitely see a doctor in order to analyze the signs of the disease, diagnose and prescribe treatment.

It must be remembered that increased intracranial pressure serious illness, it can lead to death. In addition, as a result of the regularity of the negative impact, a decrease in intellectual abilities, failures in the control of the nervous system and internal organs can occur. The result can be various disorders and additional diseases.

Symptoms of increased ICP in children

The manifestation of the first signs in a child is often associated with a disease such as hydrocephalus, or dropsy of the brain. It manifests itself in infants almost from birth and occurs due to excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles due to difficulty moving from the place of its secretion.

Due to underdevelopment and weakness skull in children, their head is usually enlarged. In addition, the following symptoms are present:

The fontanel is strongly pronounced and protrudes
Compared to peers, the child is more retarded
Constant anxiety
Low body weight for her age, frequent vomiting
The child is lethargic and sleepy
Graefe's sign is present. This is a situation where children's eyes look down instead of looking straight ahead.

Signs and symptoms that the infant has increased intracranial pressure are well visually identifiable, which facilitates the diagnosis and speeds up the transition to treatment.

Diagnostics

In order to prescribe treatment, it is important to conduct a diagnosis in order to determine the causes and degree of increased intracranial pressure. Typically, diagnosis includes a series of examinations and laboratory tests. For an accurate diagnosis, you need to have results:

Complete blood count
The indicator of electrolytes in the blood
Computed or magnetic resonance imaging
Measurements of pressure exerted by the cerebrospinal fluid (determined by puncture in the lumbar region)
Various laboratory analyzes of cerebrospinal fluid
Differentiated diagnosis from other diseases with similar symptoms

Treatment is prescribed by considering the overall clinical picture and the results of the above examinations.

Measurement of intracranial pressure

Specialized methods involve invasive measurement index in the ventricles of the brain. Based on the signs of the disease, it does this with special sensors, for example:

A hydraulic venticular system is used when a catheter with a probe is inserted into the ventricular cavity. The procedure also involves the introduction of medicinal drugs.
Using a sensor that measures pressure in the parenchyma, which is inserted in the temple or forehead.
Measurement devices can be placed subdural, epidural, or subarachnoid, which reduces the risk of injury to the brain during measurement, but the accuracy is lower.

The most often indicative ICP is measured indirectly, for this, a lumbar puncture is taken at the level of the lower back.

Treatment of intracranial pressure in adults

If the diagnosis confirmed the desired pathology, then the treatment tactics will depend on what was the reason for the increase. In addition, for adults, the age factor matters. In general, therapy includes the use of diuretics, sedatives, vascular drugs. In addition, manual therapy, diet therapy, as well as special gymnastic complexes are often prescribed.

Some treatment is aimed only at relieving the symptoms of the disease to make you feel better. In others, the underlying cause is treated.

Symptomatic therapy is carried out with the help of diuretics. These drugs have a pronounced diuretic effect, due to which there is an inhibition of carbonic anhydrase in the brain, leading to a decrease in the production of cerebrospinal fluid. It is produced in a smaller volume, and, accordingly, increased intracranial pressure is excluded.

Such therapy consists in eliminating excess fluid in the body with the help of greater activation of the kidneys. However, it must be remembered that taking diuretic drugs can have dangerous consequences, they have a wide range of side effects, so their self-administration is not allowed. In addition, diuretic treatment is only suitable if the excess CSF is not caused by a tumor, hematoma or aneurysm.

Treatment tactics

Increased intracranial pressure in adults and children is caused by various reasons. To eliminate them, apply:

If the increase in the indicator is caused by the existence of an intracerebral pathological formation, for example, aneurysms, tumors, hematomas, then a surgical operation is performed to remove it.
If the reason lies in the increased activity in the production of cerebrospinal fluid, then a surgical intervention is performed, the task of which is to bypass and create a complementary path through which the cerebrospinal fluid will flow.

Thus, a decrease in ICP by surgical methods is ensured.

If the treatment is prescribed with medications, then it is usually used:

Loop diuretics
Hormonal means
diakarbom
Neuroprotectors
Osmodiuretics

In addition, it can often find application:

Taking a ventricular puncture and a decompression craniotomy procedure that removes excess fluid from the skull
Manual therapy, controlled arterial hypotension and others
Special diet leading to fluid and salt restriction

Preventive measures and what to do if there is an increase in ICP?

Below we list a number of simple tips on how to improve your well-being if an exacerbation occurs and how to prevent this if the patient is at risk:

Do not visit the bath and sauna
Go swimming
Use a high pillow while sleeping at night. After waking up, do not lie down for a long time.
Systematically conduct a professional massage of the "collar" area
Refuse fatty foods, eat more fruits and vegetables, avoid a lack of various vitamins
Limit maximum physical exercise
When consuming liquids, the choice is to make in favor of herbal tea, which has a mild diuretic effect.
Avoid sudden changes in ambient pressure, such as when taking off and landing in an airplane
Eliminate sudden changes in the surrounding climate
Try to eat more foods rich in potassium. Examples of these are ordinary potatoes, dried apricots, citrus fruits, green vegetables.

It is important to know that self-treatment in both adults and children (infants) of high intracranial pressure will at least not give a significant result. However, it can do a lot of damage. As soon as the first signs appear, for effective therapy, you need to see a doctor who will ask about the symptoms, send you for the necessary diagnostics, and only after that will prescribe adequate therapeutic measures.

Frequent, almost constant headaches - this symptom should not be ignored. It may indicate that intracranial pressure (ICP) is significantly increased. It has nothing to do with the arterial; this is the pressure that the cerebrospinal fluid (other names: cerebrospinal fluid, cerebral fluid) creates in the cranium.

Nature provides a kind of protection of the brain from mechanical damage. In special cavities (subarachnoid space, ventricles of the brain) a liquid substance circulates, due to which the brain is in the "suspended" state in the skull. In addition, the cerebrospinal fluid surrounds the brain tissues, preventing them from coming into direct contact with the cranial bone.

Is cerebrospinal fluid responsible for increased intracranial pressure?

To maintain a comfortable level of vital activity, the normal circulation of cerebral fluid is of great importance. It is produced in the brain and is a secretion product of special glands.

The cerebrospinal fluid performs the following tasks:

provides water and electrolyte balance;
maintains a constant level of pressure inside the head (for an adult it is 7 mm Hg);
protects the brain (head, spinal) from mechanical damage.

Violation of the normal movement of CSF means the accumulation of excess fluid in the skull and increased intracranial pressure. This may happen if:

CSF is produced in excess (a condition requiring treatment);
the mechanism of fluid absorption into the bloodstream is disrupted;
the vessels through which the cerebrospinal fluid passes are narrowed for some reason.

The amount of cerebrospinal fluid can be partially regulated with the help of medications, which as a result can reduce intracranial pressure.

Causes of increased ICP

Intracranial hypertension (another name for increased ICP) is caused by impaired circulation of the CSF, which may be the result of certain diseases:

meningitis, ventriculitis, encephalitis - diseases characterized by inflammatory lesions of the meninges;
stroke (in particular, ischemic), in which blood circulation in the brain tissues is disturbed;
serious poisoning, intoxication with salts of heavy metals, vapors of toxic gases;
concussion, bruising and other traumatic brain tissue injuries;
benign tumors in the absence of treatment;
hydrocephalus;
hypoxia (oxygen starvation).

Symptoms

Specialists distinguish 3 degrees in adults. At a rate of 5-7 mm Hg, an increase in the first degree (moderate) is considered to be pressure in the range of 15-20 mm Hg. This condition causes characteristic symptoms and requires treatment. The second degree (increased) is characterized by marks of 20-40 mm Hg, and the third degree (significantly increased) - more than 40 mm Hg.

External symptoms of increased intracranial pressure:

frequent headaches, which are most pronounced in the second half of the night and in the morning: in a horizontal position, the amount of cerebrospinal fluid increases, the liquid is released faster than it is absorbed. The pain is bursting in nature (rarely - pulsating), localized in the occipital regions. May be accompanied by nausea, does not go away after taking the pills;
excessive sweating of unknown etiology. Intracranial pressure depends on atmospheric (the lower the atmospheric pressure, the higher in the head). As a result, abrupt weather changes cause the patient to faint, and other vegetative-vascular disorders: impaired intestinal motility, increased salivation, asthma attacks, and others;
changes in the neuropsychological status: increased irritability, anxiety, unusually rapid fatigue during mental work, in especially severe cases - discoordination, episodic confusion, impaired memory and attention;
visual impairment: first peripheral, then central. There may be a split image, "fog" and "flies" in the eyes;
pronounced blue under the eyes.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis is difficult: the exact values can only be known with the help of surgical manipulation, which is unsafe for health and is used in case of emergency. The procedure is the introduction of a needle with a manometer connected to it into the fluid cavities of the brain.

The symptoms described above are sufficient for indirect diagnosis, if they occur, you should consult a neurologist.

Reasons for diagnosing hypertension:

The degree of expansion of the veins of the fundus. An examination by an ophthalmologist allows you to determine whether the intracranial pressure is outside the normal range.
Physical expansion of fluid cavities in the brain, sparseness of the medulla along the edges of the ventricles. This can be seen with the help of special tomographic studies (CT, MRI).

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a study that allows you to determine how much the brain suffers from an increase in ICP.

Why is high ICP dangerous?

When it comes to an adult, there are two forms of intracranial hypertension: acute and chronic.

The acute form is caused by damage to the skull due to trauma or hemorrhage (a consequence of a stroke, aneurysm rupture). How to reduce intracranial pressure in this case: urgent surgical intervention is required, a sudden and severe increase in ICP can be fatal. Craniotomy - the surgical removal of some parts of the skull - allows you to normalize the situation.

Increased intracranial pressure is a neurological disorder that may be the result of injury or illness. Lack of treatment, medication leads to:

rapid visual impairment, up to its complete loss;
development of epileptic syndromes;
violation of mental integrity;
breathing disorders of consciousness;
great weakness in the limbs.

Stages of treatment

Elimination of the cause that caused intracranial hypertension.

If during the examination it is established that the increase in ICP is provoked by some formation inside the brain structure (it can be a hematoma, tumor, aneurysm), it is necessary to perform surgery.

Excessive secretion of CSF in hydrocephalus is corrected with bypass surgery. Their essence lies in the fact that another, additional way is organized for the removal of cerebrospinal fluid. This reduces intracranial pressure.

Removal of symptoms of increased intracranial pressure with the help of various drugs.

There are no special pills that would treat increased intracranial pressure in adults. But with the help of certain groups of medications, you can reduce the total amount of fluid in the body, including the spinal fluid. First of all, these are drugs that belong to diuretics and osmodiuretics. They also have a negative impact: they contribute to the leaching of beneficial salts from the body. Therefore, tablets are additionally prescribed containing the necessary minerals for the full functioning of the heart muscle.

Hormonal drugs and drugs of the neuroprotective group are also used.

Diet therapy.

Aimed at limiting fluid and salt intake. Corresponds to dietary table number 10. Meat and fish broths, garlic and onions, peppers, mustard, chocolate, coffee, cocoa, fresh pastries, as well as products that promote gas formation are completely excluded - all types of legumes. It is recommended to reduce the consumption of animal fats in favor of vegetable fats. Thermal processing of food products is gentle: boiling, steaming.

Treatment of intracranial pressure should be complex, drugs in combination with the right diet work more efficiently. In extremely rare cases, during treatment, a reduced ICP may be observed, the symptoms of which are manifestations of general weakness - drowsiness, dizziness. The headache is aggravated with every movement of the head. All such conditions should be carefully recorded and reported to the attending physician.

Every third person faces ICP. It occurs due to a lack or excess of CSF - cerebrospinal fluid, which serves to protect the brain from mechanical damage. Normal ICP healthy person about 5-7 mmHg. If intracranial pressure is noted, symptoms in adults may vary.

Signs of increased intracranial pressure in adults

Self-diagnosis of ICP is very difficult. Often, one cannot do without the help of a specialist, only he will be able to prescribe the necessary studies and, based on the interpretation of the results, make a verdict. If you notice a deterioration in your health, listen to yourself, perhaps you are not just tired or nervous at work. The main signs of increased intracranial pressure in adults:

severe bursting headache;
dizziness, shortness of breath, chills;
increased blood pressure (BP);
reaction to changing weather conditions;
morning sickness, possible vomiting;
the appearance of dark circles under the eyes that do not go away after sleep;
increased sweating, sweating of the limbs;
decreased libido;
temporary blurred vision, double vision, black dots;
arrhythmia;
fatigue, increased agitation and nervousness.

Symptoms of low intracranial pressure

Reduced intracranial pressure is much less common, but no less dangerous. If you notice 2-3 signs of this disease behind you, contact a specialist as soon as possible. He will conduct the necessary studies and prescribe treatment, if necessary. The main symptoms of low intracranial pressure:

flashes, bright spots before the eyes;
evening headaches, migraine;
tinnitus, hearing loss;
swelling of the face;
weakness, low level of efficiency;
soreness of the skull when sneezing or coughing;
persistent drowsiness;
pain in the upper spine.

Symptoms of intracranial pressure in women

Basically, the symptoms of intracranial pressure in women are classic. Sometimes severe swelling and soreness of the extremities can be added to them. It is noticed that girls have a higher pain threshold, but at the same time they are much more sensitive to minor pain, so the disease in them can proceed in a more acute form. Often among the complaints of the weaker sex can be found:

high blood pressure;
redness of the eyeball;
pressing pain in the neck;
increased heart rate;
tachycardia;
increased salivation;
severe headache.

Symptoms of intracranial pressure in men

Often, the symptoms of intracranial pressure in men go unnoticed due to low sensitivity and a somewhat careless attitude towards their own health. It is much easier to take a pill from the head and continue your usual way of life than to decide to visit a doctor and undergo an examination. However, it is not worth starting ICP, because this is a serious pathology, due to which there is a high risk of earning more serious diseases. How does intracranial pressure manifest in adult men:

throbbing headache;
a sharp increase in blood pressure;
dyspnea;
paresis of the spinal muscles;
increased irritability and nervousness.

How to diagnose intracranial pressure in an adult

You can make a diagnosis of intracranial pressure in any clinic in the direction of a therapist. Basically, methods are used for this, which give only an approximate result, but this is enough to determine the need for treatment and prevention. The specialist will prescribe all the necessary recommendations and medicines after a full examination.

There are three main accurate measurement methods:

The epidural method consists in trepanation of the cranium and the subsequent introduction of a special sensor into the hole that transmits data to a computer. In this way, ICP can be measured, but excess CSF cannot be removed.
The subdural method is rarely used. During the procedure, a specialized screw is used, with which indicators are determined. It is removed immediately after the study.
The intraventricular method is the most modern and widespread, it consists in introducing a catheter into the skull through a specially drilled hole. The main advantages of such a study are that it is possible to pump out excess fluid if necessary and reduce ICP.

Any of these methods is dangerous, and is used only if all the signs indicate the exact presence of the disease, there are injuries, cerebral edema, or other life-threatening indications for the patient. In other situations, less risky non-invasive examination methods are used that will not harm health. However, it is extremely difficult to achieve an accurate result.

How to determine intracranial pressure at home

Without a minimum knowledge in medicine, it is extremely difficult to determine intracranial pressure at home. Unfortunately, there is no device that helps to determine the level of ICP outside a medical institution. You should not postpone a visit to a specialist if you begin to notice symptoms of intracranial pressure in adults. It is much safer at the initial stage to recognize the disease and take action than to deal with the consequences.

Video: why intracranial pressure rises

Intracranial pressure is a symptom that affects both adults and young children and even infants. Therefore, it is not at all surprising when people, especially parents, upon hearing the diagnosis of "intracranial pressure" begin to panic and worry. But in no case should this be done, since it is in such situations that the pressure rises. First of all, you need to figure out what provoked the symptom and how to determine intracranial pressure in order to start immediate treatment in order to avoid possible undesirable consequences.

What is pathology

In medicine, intracranial pressure (ICP) is known as a condition that is not an independent pathology, but a syndrome indicating the development of a specific disease.

In the cavity of the human skull there is a parenchyma (brain tissue), intracerebral fluid and blood continuously circulating through the vessels - these structures create intracranial pressure, which, depending on the specific situation, can decrease or increase. The syndrome is accompanied by unpleasant sensations, discomfort, worsens the patient's quality of life. This diagnosis is often made by adults, there are cases of ICP in young children and even newborns.

In order to detect or exclude a dangerous pathology in time, it is important to know the causes and symptoms of the development of the condition in adults, children and infants, as well as ways to measure intracranial pressure at each age. Unfortunately, today there is no way to measure ICP on your own at home - this procedure is available only in clinics where special equipment, devices and qualified specialists are available.

Methods of measurement in adults

Intracranial pressure in adults is expressed by high pressure of the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) in the skull. In a healthy person, all the elements located in the brain work stably and balanced. If one of the organs increases in size, the balance is disturbed, as it begins to put pressure on other organs in the skull, thereby creating intracranial pressure.

Symptoms of the development of ICP in adults:

frequent headaches;
cardiopalmus;
sharp jumps in blood pressure;
vomiting and nausea in the morning;
fatigue, agitated and nervous state;
dark circles under the eyes;
in some cases - a decrease in potency.

In medicine, there are two forms of intracranial pressure. The acute form affects people who have suffered severe skull injuries, stroke, aneurysm rupture. In this case, without prompt medical attention, a fatal outcome is possible. Surgery to reduce intracranial pressure is called a craniotomy. The operation consists in the removal of certain areas in the skull area.

The chronic form is the result of a neurological disorder. In this case, hypertension can proceed for quite a long time, develops without any special reasons or due to trauma to the skull or prolonged use of medications.

Attention! The chronic form of ICP is dangerous because it can lead to partial or complete loss of vision. This condition is difficult to treat.

How is the measurement carried out

Today, there are two ways to measure ICP in adults, which are the most accurate and reliable:

The first method is to insert a special catheter into the lateral stomach of the brain, where the spinal cord fluid is located.
The second method is used very rarely, only in case of exception, when medical indications require it. In the skull, its trepanation hole, the specialist inserts a subdural screw, thus measuring the pressure. Before the procedure, it is necessary to shave the hair on the head, and treat the incision site with an antiseptic. When the specialist makes an incision, he pushes the skin aside a little, exposes the skull and inserts the sensor.

Attention! In a healthy person, ICP does not exceed 5–7 mm Hg. Art. Indicators exceeding the specified norm signal the development of pathology, disruption of the work of certain organs and systems.

To determine ICP in adults, a doctor may prescribe a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging.

Why does ICP rise in young children?

Intracranial pressure in infants is caused by a lack of cerebrospinal fluid (intracranial fluid) or, conversely, its excessive amount. It is impossible to independently measure ICP in infants - such procedures are carried out only in clinics where special measuring instruments are available.

Causes and symptoms

Newborn children are very tender and sensitive, their body reacts sharply even to minor negative factors that can lead to the development of pathology. In most cases, the causes of ICP in infants are:

long, difficult childbirth;
prolonged, painful toxicosis of the mother during the period of gestation;
oxygen starvation of the fetus in the womb as a result of entanglement by the umbilical cord;
rapid maturation or exfoliation of the maternal placenta during gestation;
pathology of the ways in which the cerebrospinal fluid is transported;
diseases (encephalitis, hydrocephalus, intracerebral hemorrhage, skull trauma, cerebral edema, malignant and benign tumors, meningitis, delayed fusion of cranial bones).

Important! According to statistics, in most cases, ICP in infants develops due to birth injuries, severe pregnancy, fetal hypoxia, intrauterine infections. Among the many causes, hydrocephalus occupies the main place.

Symptoms of this pathology in a child largely depend on his age. In addition, the condition is often accompanied by signs of an underlying disease that provoked an increase in intracranial pressure. In medicine, the symptoms of ICP are distinguished by the age category of children.

Children under one year old who have pathology suffer from:

nausea, vomiting;
frequent and profuse regurgitation;
anxiety;
constantly crying (loudly);
under the scalp, a venous network is pronounced;
the cranium is enlarged;
babies refuse to feed;
weight loss.

Children suffering from intracranial pressure lag behind their peers in psycho-emotional and physical development. Often they have a symptom of Graefe, which is characterized by a disruption in the functioning of the nerve endings responsible for the motor function of the eyeballs.

Interesting! Graefe's symptom is popularly known as the “setting sun symptom”.

Several other signs appear in children after one year. Among them are:

vomiting, nausea;
pain behind the eyeball is felt;
double vision and the appearance of "flies" before the eyes, tapes or flashes;
headache at night and in the evening;
irritability, anxiety;
tearfulness;
restless, restless sleep.

As soon as parents notice similar symptoms in a child, it is urgent to seek help from a specialist who will prescribe an appropriate examination of the baby and find out the cause of his condition.

Methods of measurement in young children

More recently, spinal cord puncture was considered the most accurate method for diagnosing intracranial pressure in young children. Today, despite the accurate diagnostic results, this method is used in rare cases, since there are other equally effective and safer methods for measuring ICP in children.

Having noticed the first signs of a symptom, parents should first of all contact a pediatrician, who will give a referral for an examination to a neurologist. The doctor will be able to make a diagnosis after examining the head of the child, "fontanelles", taking into account the complaints received from the parents. You will also need an examination of the baby by an ophthalmologist. The development of ICP can be indicated by changes in the fundus and optic nerve head, dilated veins, arterial spasm. If a child suffers from Graefe's symptom, the doctor will be able to determine it after examining the baby.

In most cases, infants are prescribed neurosonography. It is carried out until the "font" on the head is completely closed. An ultrasound examination will help determine the size of the gap between the hemispheres of the brain, the size of the ventricles, their pathology or deformation, whether the brain structures are displaced to the sides, and whether there is any volumetric neoplasm in the brain.

Older children are prescribed computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

If a small child suffers from ICP, urgent treatment is needed. But first of all, you need to determine the cause that provoked the development of the symptom. After the examination, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment and talk about prevention methods in order to prevent relapse.

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is considered a dangerous condition for human health. A very large number of people face this phenomenon. Neither adults nor children are immune from it. In women, this pathology occurs much more often than in men. However, quite often, the symptoms that appear with an increase in ICP are not paid attention to, which can lead to serious consequences in the future. To avoid this, you should be well aware of what are the signs of intracranial pressure, as well as ways and methods of dealing with it.

Description of pathology

There are a number of factors that can cause an increase in pressure inside the skull. However, most often this phenomenon is due to a failure in the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid from the intracranial space.

Signs of increased intracranial pressure in humans are quite common.

Let's look at what constitutes such a phenomenon as cranial pressure. In the human cranium, in addition to a large number of nerve cells, a significant part of the brain is also occupied by cerebrospinal fluid or cerebrospinal fluid. The bulk of the fluid is located in the region of the ventricles, in the center of the skull. Part of the cerebrospinal fluid passes between the arachnoid and pia mater. A certain amount of CSF can also be found in the spinal canal.

Liquor performs various functions. It protects the brain tissue from impacts on the cranium, removes toxins and other harmful substances from the brain, and also provides water and electrolyte balance. The level of pressure inside the skull also depends on the amount of cerebrospinal fluid. Most of the CSF is produced directly by the ventricles, and some is produced from the blood that circulates in the brain area. A complete renewal of the liquor occurs in seven days.

Consider the signs of intracranial pressure below.

Norm

The pressure inside the skull is measured in millimeters of mercury or water column. The norm for an adult is in the range from 3 to 15 mm. In childhood, slightly reduced blood pressure is considered normal. An increase in CSF volume leads to intracranial pressure. An increase of more than 30 mm can lead to severe damage to brain tissue and even death.

The pressure inside the skull is not possible to measure at home, this requires the use of special tools.

Signs of intracranial pressure

An increase in pressure inside the cranium is manifested by certain characteristic symptoms:

1. Visual impairment.

2. Headaches.

3. Dizziness.

4. Decreased memory.

5. Absent-mindedness.

6. Drowsiness.

7. Jumps in blood pressure.

8. Nausea and vomiting.

9. Lethargy and high fatigue.

10. Sweating.

12. Depression and irritability.

13. Mood swings.

14. Soreness in the spine.

15. Hypersensitivity of the skin.

16. Violation of respiratory function, shortness of breath.

17. Decreased muscle tone.

These signs of intracranial pressure can be observed all together and separately, all individually.

The presence of one or more of the symptoms listed above does not always indicate high blood pressure. This may indicate the presence of a pathology with similar symptoms.

The most common sign indicating an increase in cranial pressure is a headache. The main difference from migraine is the nature of the pain, which is not localized in a specific place, but spreads throughout the cranium. The typical time for a headache is morning or night. There is also an increase in pain when coughing, turning the head, etc. Painkillers don't help.

What other signs of intracranial pressure in adults are there?

visual impairment

Another characteristic sign of increased ICP may be a violation of visual perception. This can be manifested by bifurcation, fuzziness of objects, passing bouts of complete loss of vision, fog before the eyes, and a decrease in light perception. These symptoms indicate compression of the optic nerves as a result of increased ICP.

With increased ICP, the shape of the eyeball can change, up to such a strong protrusion that it becomes impossible to close the eyelids. Dark circles form under the eyes due to congested veins.

Nausea and vomiting also often accompany elevated ICP. At the same time, vomiting does not alleviate the patient's condition. Intracranial pressure may increase with some common events, such as bending over, sneezing, and stress. However, such an increase is short-term and quickly passes by itself, without causing discomfort. If the pressure does not decrease, then we should talk about the chronic form of increased ICP.

Signs of intracranial pressure in a child

Usually these signs in children are closely related to the manifestations of hydrocephalus - the presence of a large amount of fluid in the ventricles of the brain. There is a visual increase in the size of the head, and the pathology is also characterized by other symptoms:

excessive pronounced bulging of the fontanel;
a strong lag in general development compared to peers;
excessive anxiety;
frequent regurgitation and poor weight gain;
lethargy and drowsiness;
a symptom of Graefe when the baby's eyes look down.

Diagnostics

To directly measure ICP, complex instrumental techniques are used that require a high level of physician qualification, the use of high-precision equipment, and are often unsafe for the patient. The study is carried out by ventricular puncture and further introduction of the catheter into the CSF circulation sites.

Sometimes a CSF puncture is performed in the lumbar spine. This procedure not only makes it possible to check the pressure, but also to analyze the composition of the cerebrospinal fluid. Thus, differential diagnosis of infectious diseases is made.

Other diagnostic methods are listed below.

There are safer methods for diagnosing elevated ICP:

Research by means of ultrasound.

Magnetic resonance imaging.

CT scan.

These studies make it possible to detect changes in the structure of the brain and tissues surrounding it, which can lead to an increase in pressure inside the cranium, namely:

Encephalography is also an important diagnostic method. It makes it possible to identify disruptions in the activity of those areas of the brain that are responsible for intracranial pressure. Doppler ultrasound of the vessels will reveal disturbances in the blood flow of the cerebral veins and arteries, as well as the presence of blood clots and congestion.

Signs of intracranial pressure in infants should be able to recognize parents.

Causes of increased ICP

It should be taken into account that increased ICP is a symptom and not a disease in itself. There are several factors that can lead to an increase in ICP, among them:

1. Traumatic brain injury.

2. Such inflammatory processes in the meninges as meningitis and encephalitis.

3. Hypertension.

4. Excess body weight.

5. Hyperthyroidism.

6. Encephalopathies caused by liver pathologies.

7. Malfunction of the adrenal glands.

8. Osteochondrosis, localized in the cervical spine.

9. Neoplasms in the head area.

12. Abscess.

13. Stroke.

In addition, the following diseases of infectious origin can provoke an increase in ICP:

Bronchitis.
Otitis.
Malaria.
Mastoiditis.

As a result, there are signs of intracranial pressure. Treatment should be aimed at eliminating the causes.

Medications and their effects are described below.

Also, drug therapy can lead to increased ICP. In particular, the following drugs can provoke this situation:

Corticosteroids.
Antibiotics.
Oral contraceptives.

All of these factors can affect the cerebrospinal fluid in different ways. Sometimes they cause increased fluid synthesis, sometimes disrupt its normal circulation, and in some cases prevent its absorption. There are also situations when all three methods of influencing the cerebrospinal fluid appear simultaneously.

Genetic predisposition also plays an important role in the issue of increased ICP. If we talk about children, then injuries sustained during childbirth, prematurity, fetal hypoxia and severe toxicosis in a woman during pregnancy can lead to an increase in ICP.

Complications

An increase in ICP in a chronic form tends to increase over time, therefore, it requires correct and timely therapy. In the absence of such, the disease can lead to such serious complications as:

Paralysis.
Speech disorder.
Stroke.
Deviations in the psyche.
Epilepsy.
Blindness.
Violation of motor function, namely coordination.

In women who are overweight at a young age, increased ICP can go away on its own without specific therapy. However, you should not hope for this and it is better to consult a doctor to conduct the necessary examination and make the correct diagnosis, as well as to exclude more serious diseases.

Treatment

Therapy of pathology in adults depends on the causes of occurrence and age. It involves the appointment of diuretics, sedatives and vascular drugs. In addition, they are prescribed: manual and diet therapy, as well as special gymnastics.

The diet is built taking into account the consumption of healthy foods, with a minimum of salt and liquid.