Is your headache just a headache? Let's learn about Increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

Headaches are a common occurrence. It's hard to find someone who hasn't had a headache at least once in their life. But not all headaches can be cured by taking a painkiller , getting some sleep, and getting better. Sometimes, your headache can be a sign of a serious condition that requires emergency medical attention . One such dangerous condition is increased pressure inside the skull , or as we medically call it, Increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP) . Simply put, this is excessive pressure on the brain due to the accumulation of fluid beyond the limited space inside your skull or due to swelling of the brain.

Why does the pressure inside the skull increase like this?

There can be several reasons for this increase in intracranial pressure. Let's see what they are.

One of the main reasons is an injury to the head or skull . Imagine that you fell off a bike or hit your head hard somewhere. Then there may be a small amount of bleeding inside the skull or swelling in the brain. In addition, the blood that accumulates or the swelling fills the space inside the skull and starts to squeeze the brain tissue. This is very dangerous. Therefore, if you have a head injury, do not think that it is something minor, but definitely see a doctor and get checked out. Because sometimes the symptoms of ICP appear some time after the injury.

Stroke is another major cause of this. In some cases of stroke, a blood vessel in the brain can burst. This blood then builds up in and around the brain, creating pressure. If you think you are having symptoms of a stroke, you should go to a hospital's emergency department (ETU) immediately .

In addition to these two main reasons, this situation can also occur due to several other factors.

• Excessive production of cerebrospinal fluid: This is the protective fluid that surrounds our brain and spinal cord. If this increases in quantity, the pressure increases.
• Aneurysm : This is when the wall of a blood vessel in the brain becomes weak and bulges like a balloon. If it bursts, blood will leak into the brain.
• Brain tumor: A tumor growing in the brain also causes the space inside the skull to decrease and the pressure to increase.
• Infections: Infections that affect the brain, for example, conditions like encephalitis or meningitis, can cause the brain to swell and increase pressure.
• Hydrocephalus: This is commonly referred to as "water on the brain." This also involves the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid.
• High blood pressure : Although high blood pressure alone rarely causes this condition, it can have an effect when combined with other causes.

What are the symptoms of this? How do we recognize it?

ICP can start with a headache. This headache can come on suddenly and be unbearable. Or, it can start out mild and gradually get worse. However, as the pressure on the brain increases, other symptoms in addition to the headache will begin to appear. These symptoms will let you know that this is not a normal headache.

Check for these symptoms in addition to a headache.

How does a doctor find this?

When you go to a doctor thinking you may have ICP, he or she will run several tests to accurately diagnose the condition.

Physical examination

First, the doctor will ask you about any recent accidents or illnesses. He will measure your blood pressure. He will examine your eyes to see if there are any problems with your nervous system. He will also check your senses, balance , and mental status.

Spinal Tap / Lumbar Puncture

In this test, your doctor inserts a thin needle into your back and takes a small amount of the fluid around your spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid). By measuring the pressure of this fluid, they can get an idea of ​​the pressure around your brain.

CT scan or MRI scan tests

These are special types of images that can clearly see what's inside the brain. A CT scan or MRI scan can show exactly where there's damage, swelling, or fluid buildup in the brain.

What are the treatments for this?

The treatment you receive will depend on the cause of the increased pressure inside the skull. Once your doctor has determined the cause, he or she will choose the treatment that is best for you.

• Medications: There are medications that can reduce swelling in the brain. If a blood clot has formed inside the brain, medications can be given to dissolve it.
• Fluid removal: Your doctor may temporarily place a device called an External Ventricular Drain (EVD) in your head. This allows the extra fluid inside your skull to drain out through a tube. However, if you need to remove fluid for a long time, you may need to have a shunt placed. This is a tube that is inserted inside your body. This allows the extra fluid in your brain to be drained into your abdominal cavity so that it can be absorbed by your body.
• Surgery: Sometimes surgery is needed to relieve pressure on the brain. This involves removing the cause of the pressure. This may mean repairing a wound, stopping bleeding, or removing a brain tumor.

For any of these treatments to be successful, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible . Delaying medical attention increases the risk of permanent brain damage.