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Causes Of Intracranial Hypertension |
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Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a
state of high pressure in the fluid around the brain. It is also
ascertained as pseudotumor cerebri because it also exhibits some signs
and symptoms of a brain tumor without a brain tumor.
The space around the brain is filled with a water-like fluid. If
there is too much of this fluid present, the pressure around the brain
rises because the space containing the fluid cannot expand. It is this
high pressure that produces the symptoms of idiopathic intracranial
hypertension (idiopathic means unknown cause; intracranial means inside
the head; hypertension means the fluid is under high pressure). For
further details, read Do
Take That Extra Care Of Yourself
The causes of intracranial
hypertension are not fully diagnosed yet. There are only some clues. The
condition occurs mostly in women. Blood pressure during pregnancy rises
due to this. The blood pressure symptoms often start or worsen during a
period of weight gain. The disease is rare in thin men. It shows that in
women, pregnancy and high blood pressure are intricately related.
Although
no associated conditions besides recent weight gain are usually found,
many conditions have been linked to as causes of intracranial
hypertension. Any disorder that blocks the flow of spinal fluid between
the brain and its route to the blood, the jugular vein, can cause raised
pressure. Similarly, blood clots in the veins draining the brain can
cause increased intracranial pressure leading to high blood pressure
levels. It is also caused by withdrawal of steroids, large doses of
vitamin A or intake of foods containing considerable vitamin A (such as
liver), use of body building-type steroids and possibly certain drugs
such as tetracycline. Controlling blood pressure and intracranial
hypertension can be achieved through blood pressure monitor and blood
pressure medication to minimize the effects of high blood pressure.
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