Types and causes
Hydrocephalus is a chronic, neurological condition where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates and builds up in the brain.
Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, protecting them from injury. It carries nutrients to both the brain and spinal cord and takes away waste. In a healthy person, the amount of CSF produced by the brain is easily absorbed by the body. In a person with hydrocephalus, the fluid doesn't drain and instead accumulates, leading to pressure on the brain. Too much pressure can damage the brain.
Fluid can build up in a person with hydrocephalus because:
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the brain makes too much
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there is a blockage and it cannot drain properly
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it is not being absorbed into the bloodstream