Introduction:
A neurological condition known as normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the brain. NPH can make it hard to think and reason, make it hard to walk, and make it hard to control the bladder. The spinal fluid of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) also changes. In MS, the resistant framework goes after the myelin sheath, which is the defensive layer around nerve strands. Certain proteins enter the spinal fluid when the myelin sheath is damaged.
The Alzheimer's Association estimates that nearly 700,000 adults have NPH, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society estimates that nearly 1 million Americans over the age of 18 have multiple sclerosis. Researchers have pondered the possibility of a link between NPH and MS for a number of years due to the fact that CSF is a component of both conditions and that symptoms such as memory loss, unsteadiness moving, and urinary difficulties can present with both conditions. However, no connection between the two has yet been established.
What Is Hydrocephalus?
A condition known as normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) occurs when certain brain regions have an excessive amount of a particular kind of fluid.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a transparent liquid that covers and surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It is produced and stored in ventricles, which are cavities in the brain. It moves from ventricle to ventricle throughout the brain. It removes some of their waste products, provides nutrients to the brain and spinal cord, cushions, and protects them. Most of the time, extra fluid leaves the brain, which is absorbed by the veins at the top of the brain.
Hydrocephalus occurs when the body's natural mechanism for draining and absorbing extra CSF fails. In order to accommodate the additional fluid, the ventricles expand and press on various brain regions, resulting in a variety of symptoms. There are many different causes of hydrocephalus. The condition affects some people from birth, while others develop it over time.
A type of hydrocephalus known as normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) typically affects older people. NPH affects over 60 percent of the population. In contrast to other forms of hydrocephalus, NPH progresses slowly over time. Over time, there is an abnormal accumulation of CSF, and the drainage becomes gradually blocked. The additional fluid builds gradually. It slows down the expansion of the ventricles, and the brain's fluid pressure may not be increased as much as in other types of hydrocephalus. However, the term "normal pressure" is somewhat misleading because the enlarged ventricles continue to press on the brain and can result in symptoms.
The pieces of the cerebrum most frequently impacted in NPH are those responsible for controlling the legs, the bladder, and the 'mental' mental cycles, for example, memory, thinking, critical thinking, and talking. This decrease in mental cycles, in the event that it is adequately serious about impeding regular exercise, is known as dementia. Abnormal gait (difficulty walking), reduced ability to hold urine (urinary incontinence), and sometimes inability to control the bowels are additional symptoms.
What Is the Link Between Hydrocephalus and Multiple Sclerosis?
NPH occurs when the brain accumulates too much CSF. The arteries in the brain do not have room to grow because the skull is a tight space filled with tissues and fluids. Instead, pressure is applied to the CSF as a result of the increased volume within the arteries. The CSF flows from the cranial subarachnoid space to the spinal subarachnoid space as a result of this pressure. Additionally, certain veins and pathways experience pressure patterns as a result of the pressure that the arteries exert on the CSF.
It is found that the CSF exerts pressure on the brain tissues while the arteries exert pressure on the CSF. This outcome is a dampening of pulse pressure. Albeit not the very same, the pulse pattern example of CSF in individuals with MS is like those with NPH. This pattern of pulse waves is a factor in the symptoms of NPH and may also be responsible for some of the symptoms of MS. However, the findings have not been replicated subsequently.
Specialists accept that it is conceivable there is a pulse design perspective to MS that is being neglected as a result of inflammatory aspects that present with MS. Whether nerve deterioration is the cause of MS or whether pulse waves are a factor in its onset is still unclear based on current research. The research on NPH and MS is insufficient at this time to determine whether or how NPH is linked to MS. However, since it may affect MS patients' diagnosis and treatment plans, it is critical to establish a link between the two.
What Is the Similarity and Difference Between Hydrocephalus and Multiple Sclerosis?
Although NPH and MS are distinct conditions with distinct treatment options, the two have some similarities.
The Similarity:
As far as the symptoms are concerned, both NPH and MS have a few common symptoms, such as the following -
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Bladder incontinence (difficulty holding urine).
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Trouble walking.
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Brain fog.
The Differences:
There is a difference between the MS and NPH treatment plans.
Ventriculoperitoneal (ventricular) shunting is the only effective treatment for NPH. A shunt is inserted into the brain during this procedure to alleviate the pressure brought on by the fluid that has built up there. However, not everyone with NPH may benefit from surgery. For instance, individuals who have severe dementia may be discouraged by surgery because the risks may outweigh the benefits.
MS, on the other hand, is a progressive disease with no known treatment. The treatment aims to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Choices include:
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Medications can be given orally, intravenously, or by self-injection to slow the progression of MS and reduce the rate of relapse.
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Corticosteroids (only available through prescription) to treat any relapses.
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Yoga, reflexology, acupuncture, pulsed magnetic therapy, and cannabis are treatments for fatigue and pain that can be incorporated into one's diet and lifestyle.
Conclusion:
When it arrives to the possibility of a link between hydrocephalus and multiple sclerosis (MS), there is still a lot to learn. Although some researchers think there may be a connection, more research is needed right now to prove a connection and how it should affect treatment.
MS and hydrocephalus are diagnosed and treated in distinct and unrelated ways. It is essential to discuss the care and potential treatments with a medical professional in the event of a diagnosis of either condition.
