Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure

Intracranial pressure is an indicator that reflects the degree of pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid on the brain. This pressure depends on the amount of cerebrospinal fluid and on the quality of its circulation and absorption.

The pressure inside the cranium is maintained through complex processes, so the symptoms of increased intracranial pressure that appear are signs of the possible onset of pathological processes that must be paid attention to.

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Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure

Increased pressure on the brain can provoke some disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, many of these disorders determine the main symptoms of increased cranial pressure:

• a feeling of fullness and heaviness in the head, frequent headaches that get worse towards the morning and subside a little towards the evening;
• digestive system disorders, nausea, in some cases accompanied by vomiting, observed at the peak of the headache;
• signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia (clouding of consciousness, increased sweating, sudden changes in blood pressure, tachycardia or bradycardia);
• sudden weakness, absolute apathy, inability to concentrate, unmotivated fatigue;
• spontaneous irritability, inadequate reaction to the surrounding reality;
• dark circles under the eyes, dilation of intradermal capillaries around the eyes;
• marked deterioration of libido, reluctance to have sex;
• when a person is in a horizontal position for a long time, the signs of increased intracranial pressure worsen and the headache increases;
• the pressure inside the skull is directly proportional to atmospheric pressure, so the patient's condition becomes weather-dependent;
• visual disturbances: blurred vision, double vision, inability to focus.

The combination of the described symptoms with high temperature, disorders of motor and brain functions (the appearance of hallucinations, delirium) may signal the development of inflammatory processes in the brain.

Significant weight loss accompanying these symptoms may be a sign of brain cancer.

The above symptoms, which appeared soon after a severe head injury, may indicate possible damage to the structure of the brain.

The first signs of increased intracranial pressure

One of the earliest signs of a sharp increase in cranial pressure is the symptom of dilation of one or both pupils and their lack of response to a light beam. Simultaneous decrease in muscle tone of the upper and lower extremities, weakness of the facial muscles may be observed. With the progressive development of hypertension, symptoms of dysfunction of the brain stem may be observed - these are manifestations of stupor up to a comatose state, disturbance of consciousness, changes in the respiratory rhythm and depth of inspiration, an increase or decrease in the heart rate.

The very first signs of increased cranial pressure are determined by drowsiness, yawning fits, twitching of arms and legs. Breathing is uneven, confused, there are constant attempts to take a deep breath.

If cranial pressure increases gradually, the clinical picture does not have such pronounced symptoms: patients note headaches (everywhere, without specific localization), nausea with bouts of vomiting (which does not bring relief), persistent hiccups, drowsiness, and visual impairment.

When measuring blood pressure, an increase in the systolic index is noted.

If you suspect that your intracranial pressure has increased, you should not take medications on your own without consulting a doctor.

Symptoms of Increased Intracranial Pressure in Adolescents

When we talk about what symptoms of increased intracranial pressure in adolescents may be, we mean the following signs:

• the child is often exhausted, gets tired quickly, is often apathetic to what is happening, becomes indifferent to what previously aroused his heightened interest; the child constantly wants to sleep, he can become irritable and whiny;
• you can also notice some manifestations of ophthalmological disorders - constriction of the pupils, signs of strabismus, which were not observed before;
• the teenager complains of constant debilitating headaches, especially at dawn upon awakening; sometimes wakes up early from attacks of pain;
• the child looks tired, there may be bluish circles around the eyes;
• the child often feels sick regardless of meals; bouts of vomiting are possible that do not bring relief; nausea is most pronounced during a pain attack;
• Blood pressure measurement reveals an increase in the systolic index, the heart rate can vary from low to high figures;
• minor cramps may appear on the upper and lower limbs, sometimes on the face;
• the child may notice the appearance of “flies” in front of the eyes, sometimes double vision, and deterioration of focusing in one or both eyes;
• There may be pressing pain in the eye area or behind them.

A child is not always able to talk about his painful sensations and health problems, so it is important to be attentive to him, especially in adolescence, ask about his condition, analyze his behavior and appearance.

Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure in the elderly

Older people have a weaker intracranial blood flow system than younger patients. For this reason, they may not experience an increase in blood supply to the cerebral vessels even with a significant increase in cranial pressure.

Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure in the elderly are sometimes difficult to recognize due to the sharp increase in the clinical picture of the disease and the immediate addition of complications. This occurs due to significant age-related changes that do not allow for partial and timely compensation for the gradual increase in cranial pressure. Simply put, the elderly body no longer has time to restore the progressive disorders that occur one after another.

A sudden headache, nausea, or vomiting attack can quickly develop into a pre-stroke or stroke condition, severe cerebral ischemia, manifested by symptoms characteristic of these pathological conditions: paresthesia, numbness of half of the body, face, motor, speech, and swallowing dysfunctions, paralysis.

Elderly people who have a tendency to have increased intracranial pressure need to be examined periodically to avoid adverse effects.

What to do if you have symptoms of increased intracranial pressure?

The best person to answer the question of what to do with symptoms of high blood pressure is a doctor. He can also review the diagnosis and determine the main cause of this symptom if it is confirmed. After all, it is impossible to measure cranial pressure on your own, as well as to cure the symptom without knowing its true cause.

There are only recommendations that apply when there is a suspicion of increased intracranial pressure:

• limit or completely eliminate the use of salt in the diet;
• reduce the amount of liquid you drink daily;
• it is possible to use diuretics (diacarb, furosemide, triampur);
• under no circumstances visit a bathhouse or sauna;
• visiting a swimming pool or swimming in a body of water with cool water is allowed;
• You should sleep in a well-ventilated room on a bed with your head elevated, or on a high pillow;
• active sports, jumping, somersaults, running, and lifting weights are not allowed;
• It is not recommended to ride in elevators or travel by plane;
• manual therapy is welcomed, in particular, massage of the collar zone;
• The diet should be rich in potassium (dried apricots, baked potatoes, vegetables and fruits).

It is possible to use some methods of traditional medicine:

• mulberry - twigs or leaves infuse in boiling water for one hour (ratio 1/10), take one glass of infusion three times a day;
• poplar - keep a teaspoon of buds in a glass of boiling water in a water bath for 15 minutes, drink three times a day;
• field horsetail - brew a tablespoon of dry grass in a glass of boiling water, drink three times a day;
• camphor oil - mix with alcohol in equal proportions, apply to the head as a compress, at night;
• hawthorn, motherwort, valerian root, mint - mix in equal proportions, pour boiling water over and drink throughout the day like tea.

Traditional methods of treatment are mainly applicable for uncomplicated and intermittent increase in intracranial pressure; in more severe cases, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

The danger of increased intracranial pressure is the mechanical compression of delicate brain tissue, which over time can lead to irreversible consequences and disruption of many vital functions of the body. Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure may only be signs of a more severe and complex disease, so these symptoms should be taken seriously.