Hydrocephalus may not be a word you hear often, but it affects millions of people around the world—including babies, children, adults, and the elderly. Known as "water on the brain," hydrocephalus is a serious condition that can change a person's life forever. Yet, despite how common it is, very few people understand what it really is or how difficult it is to live with.
What Is Hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus happens when fluid builds up inside the brain. Our brains naturally produce a clear liquid called cerebrospinal fluid (or CSF), which helps cushion the brain and carry away waste. But when this fluid doesn’t drain properly, it can build up and put pressure on the brain. This pressure can cause headaches, vision problems, memory loss, and even permanent brain damage if not treated.
There are different types of hydrocephalus:
Congenital hydrocephalus: present at birth
Acquired hydrocephalus: develops after an illness or injury
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH): usually affects older adults and is often mistaken for Alzheimer's or Parkinson’s
How Is It Treated?
There’s no cure for hydrocephalus, but it can be managed. Most patients need a device called a shunt—a small tube that drains excess fluid from the brain to another part of the body, usually the belly, where the fluid can be absorbed.
While shunts save lives, they’re far from perfect. They can break, get blocked, or cause infections. When that happens, the patient needs emergency brain surgery—sometimes over and over again. Some people with hydrocephalus have had dozens of surgeries throughout their lives.
Another treatment, called ETV (endoscopic third ventriculostomy), creates a new pathway for fluid to flow, but it doesn’t work for everyone.
Living with Hydrocephalus
Living with hydrocephalus is hard. Children may have learning difficulties and need special care in school. Adults often struggle with memory, balance, and concentration. Older adults may lose their independence because of walking problems or confusion. Many people with hydrocephalus live in fear of their shunt failing at any moment.
The emotional toll is also heavy. Anxiety, depression, and isolation are common. Families often carry the burden, both emotionally and financially, as ongoing care can be expensive and exhausting.
A Global Challenge
In wealthier countries, early diagnosis and advanced treatment give many patients a chance at a full life. But in low-income parts of the world, especially in parts of Africa, hydrocephalus can be fatal. Limited access to neurosurgeons and proper care means many children never get the help they need. Worse still, some are abandoned or mistreated due to myths and stigma.
Why Awareness Matters
Hydrocephalus isn’t rare, but it’s rarely talked about. Because of this, it gets very little funding for research. Misdiagnosis is common, especially in older adults, where symptoms can be mistaken for dementia. The more people know about hydrocephalus, the more likely we are to improve care, discover better treatments, and support affected families.
Moving Forward
Thankfully, there’s hope. Support groups, nonprofit organizations, and doctors around the world are working hard to spread awareness and push for better solutions. Research is underway to improve shunt technology and understand the condition better.
But we need more: more funding, more education, and more compassion.
Hydrocephalus is not just a medical condition—it’s a lifelong challenge. It affects how people learn, walk, think, and live. It touches families in every country, yet remains in the shadows.
By learning more and speaking out, we can help bring hydrocephalus into the spotlight—so that those living with it no longer have to suffer in silence.