What does NPH mean in NURSING

The primary symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus include dementia, gait disturbances such as shuffling or difficulty walking, and urinary incontinence. Other less common signs may include cognitive impairment, slowed reflexes, or difficulty with balance or coordination.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is typically diagnosed through a combination of physical and neurological exams, medical imaging tests such as CT scans or MRI scans to look for enlargement of certain areas of the brain, and a lumbar puncture to measure the amount of pressure in the brain's ventricles.

Treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus typically involves inserting a shunt into one of the brain's ventricles to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid from the body. This relieves increased intracranial pressures and can reduce symptoms in some cases. Additionally, physical therapy may be used to treat any issues associated with gait disturbance or coordination problems.

As with all surgeries there is some risk involved when treating NPH with a shunt system. Some potential risks include infection at the insertion site or shunt malfunction; however these complications can often be managed with proper care by your healthcare team.

NPH is more common in older adults; however it can affect people of any age who have conditions that impair their ability to absorb cerebrospinal fluid such as trauma or stroke. NPH also affects men more frequently than women overall.