Normally, I try to be upbeat and positive with my blog post, but, today, I wanted to pose a question: because of our condition, are we viewed as second-class citizens?
What is hydrocephalus?
It is normal to have fluid around your skull. The problems arise when that fluid - known as cerebrospinal fluid or CSF - becomes excessive and causes a widening of the ventricles within the hemispheres of the brain. According to Medicinenet, it is estimated that one in 500 children are born with this condition. Many, like myself, survive the condition to adulthood and live normal, productive lives that include getting married and having children.
Adults vs. children: it affects each differently
The symptoms of hydrocephalus are different in adults and children for two major reasons: 1) Age of the person; and 2) Individual (health) factors. For example, with an infant, the skull is not fully fused, so the CSF will cause the head to enlarge as well as other obvious signs such as "sun-setting" (downward deviation) of the eyes. In older children and adults, however, head enlargement is not possible, so the symptoms experienced are different. Symptoms can include: headache, swelling of the optic nerve (papiledema), and memory loss.
