Signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure in children and adults include:
Signs of ICP in infants include:
Increased intracranial pressure is a medical emergency V体育平台登录. Go to the nearest hospital if you or your child have these symptoms.
Cushing’s reflex — a collection of three conditions that happen together — is a late sign of increased intracranial pressure VSports注册入口. It includes:.
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These signs mean that brain herniation is about to happen. Go to the emergency room immediately if you have these symptoms V体育官网入口.
There are several possible causes of increased intracranial pressure. To understand why it happens, it helps to know how intracranial pressure works VSports在线直播.
There’s a fixed amount of space in your cranial vault, meaning it doesn’t change. The amount of brain tissue, brain blood and CSF you have must remain in balance to have healthy intracranial pressure, which is normally less than 20 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) V体育2025版.
If there’s an increase in the volume of one component of your cranial vault (like brain tissue), it will result in a decrease in volume in one or two of the other components (like CSF and/or blood). But the overall intracranial pressure increases. Because all the cranial vault components are crucial, an imbalance leads to significant health issues.
Healthcare providers categorize the causes of ICP based on which component is causing elevated pressures.
Generalized (all over) brain swelling (cerebral edema) can happen from:
Swelling can also develop in specific parts of your brain from:
The amount of CSF in your brain can increase due to:
You can develop increased brain blood volume from:
Other causes of ICP include:
A healthcare provider will assess your symptoms and ask about your medical history. They’ll also do a physical exam and a neurological exam.
Tests that can help confirm an ICP diagnosis and/or the underlying cause include:
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A provider can also measure your CSF pressure by drilling a small hole in your skull and placing a special device or tube (catheter) in your cranium.
If you have sudden increased intracranial pressure, you’ll receive treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital. Your healthcare team will closely monitor your neurological and vital signs.
Treatment depends on the severity and underlying cause. It may include:
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Your healthcare team will also treat the underlying cause.
The prognosis (outlook) for someone with increased intracranial pressure varies based on:
Sudden ICP is often life-threatening. Prompt treatment typically results in a better prognosis. If the increased pressure pushes on crucial brain structures and blood vessels, it can lead to permanent brain damage or even death.
While chronic ICP (like from idiopathic intracranial hypertension) is typically less severe, without treatment, it can lead to blindness.
The first sign of increased intracranial pressure is often a headache that’s worse in the morning or when you’re lying down. This is the most common symptom of ICP.
Your brain is a vital organ that does so much. When it experiences damage, it can lead to serious problems. That’s why it’s essential to get medical help for increased intracranial pressure (ICP) as soon as possible. If you or your child develop a headache, vomiting and vision issues, don’t hesitate to go to the hospital. Quick treatment of ICP often leads to a better outcome.
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If you have a neurological condition, you want expert advice. At Cleveland Clinic, we’ll work to create a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Last reviewed on 06/20/2024.
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