The ventricles widen but the pressure inside the head does not rise, which is where the name comes from. The walking problem is often described as feet feeling stuck to the floor. Because walking, bladder and memory problems are all common in older age, it is easily put down to dementia or simply to getting old.
Unlike most causes of dementia it has a surgical treatment, usually a shunt that drains the excess fluid. An MRI scan is usually the first test, which is one reason a proper assessment matters.
Why it matters
It is one of the conditions a dementia work-up is designed to rule out, because it is treated differently.
Sources
Where to check this, and where to read more. All external and all authoritative.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Hydrocephalus
- National Institute on Aging: How Alzheimer's is diagnosed
Normal pressure hydrocephalus where you live
The local guide on this, for each city we cover.
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- Buffalo, NY
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Houston, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- Memphis, TN
- Milwaukee, WI
- New York, NY
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Tucson, AZ