Facts About Benign Intracranial Hypertension

You realize that you've recently started having headaches. You attribute it to the fact that you are under the weather, since you are also experiencing nausea and vomiting. Maybe you decide that your headaches are stemming from stress and home, school, or work. Whatever the case, most of us don't read too much into these symptoms and they generally do not grow into something to worry about. However, these symptoms, in addition to others that will be explained later, can be warning signs that you have benign intracranial hypertension.

What is Benign Intracranial Hypertension?

Benign intracranial hypertension, also called pseudotumor cerebri, is a condition in which you are feeling pressure inside your head. The secondary name, pseudotumor cerebri, makes a very clear implication. Psuedo, meaning fake, and tumor give clues as to what this condition feels like. The pressures that are felt within the head may give the façade of the presence of a tumor. If you think you might have a tumor, go get it checked! Doing this may save your life, or it may detect benign intracranial hypertension.

What are the symptoms of benign intracranial hypertension?

Benign intracranial hypertension is most often described as pressure in the head, as I have noted previously. Other symptoms include vomiting, nausea, blurred vision, ringing in the ears. In extreme cases, blindness may occur.

How does this condition develop?

This condition is caused by the building up of fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. When this fluid builds up too much, one begins to feel the aforementioned pressure.

Who is at risk?

Benign intracranial hypertension is most common in women in the age range of 20-50 (medicinenet.com), though the general targeted group is young women who are obese.

Can I be tested for this? How?

Yes, there are tests for this. You would undergo an MRI or CAT scan that show the abnormalities in your skull, as well as something called a lumbar puncture. A lumbar puncture, more commonly known as a spinal tap, is a procedure in which a doctor inserts a needle into the base of the spine to remove and analyze fluid samples. Here, doctors can determine how much pressure is being put on your brain and spinal cord, and if it is too much.

Is there a treatment?

Yes, there are a few treatment options. The first is to let the symptoms alleviate themselves. This is usually completed in a few months. Another option, for patients who are overweight, is to start on a diet and exercise program. The most extreme option is to endure spinal fluid removal procedures to lower the amount of pressure in the head. In cases where vision has been affected, one might have to go through a surgical procedure that diverts spinal fluid from the lumbar area to the abdomen.

Sources

Medicinenet.com. Definition of benign intracranial hypertension. Retrieved on January 22, 2008 from http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=20791 .

Medicinenet.com. Pseudotumor cerebri. Retrieved on January 22, 2008 from http://www.medicinenet.com/pseudotumor_cerebri/article.htm .

WebMD. Lumbar Puncture. Retrieved on January 22, 2008 from http://www.webmd.com/brain/lumbar-puncture .