Hydrocephalus is a term derived from the Greek words “hydro” meaning water, and “cephalus” meaning head. This condition is sometimes referred to as “water on the brain”.

Hydrocephalus involves an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in your ventricles, or cavities, of your brain. This can lead to increased intracranial pressure inside of your skull and progressive enlargement of your head, convulsion and mental disability.

Hydrocephalus was first described by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. However, it still remains a lesser-known medical condition.

Somewhere around 1 million Americans have hydrocephalus. This disease affects one in every 500 live births in the United States.

Researchers are still not sure what causes hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus may be caused by inherited genetic abnormalities (like the genetic defect that causes aqueductal stenosis) or developmental disorders (like those that are associated with neural tube defects that include encephalocele and spina bifida). Other possible causes are complications of premature birth. This includes intraventricular hemorrhage and diseases such as meningitis. Tumors, traumatic head injury or subarachnoid hemorrhage, which block the exit of CSF from the ventricles to the cisterns or eliminate the passageway for CSF into the cisterns are other possible causes.

There are many, varied signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus. These depend on the progression of the disease and the age group of the person that is affected. The signs and symptoms in infants include:

• Irritability
• Vomiting
• Developmental delay
• An unusually large head
• A bulging “soft spot” on the top of the head
• A rapid increase in the size of the head
• Seizures
• Sleepiness
• Eyes that are fixed downward.

The signs and symptoms in older children and adults include:

• Urinary incontinence
• Blurred or double vision
• Lack of energy or sluggishness
• Confusion
• Headache that is followed by vomiting
• Nausea
• Eyes that are fixed downward
• Changes in personality
• Irritability
• Difficulty with coordination, gait or balance
• Memory loss
• Regression or slowing of development.

Hydrocephalus and/or complications resulting from or along with this disease may be the reason that you or a loved one is unable to work. It may be the cause of your disability.

If this is so, you may need assistance. You may need financial help.

Have you or your loved one applied for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by hydrocephalus and/or complications along with or resulting from it? Were you or your loved one denied?

You or your loved one may appeal the denial by the Social Security Administration. If you do, consider this.

You may need a good disability lawyer like the one at Social Security Home to represent you in the appeals process. This is true because people who are represented by a knowledgeable disability attorney are approved more often than those people without a lawyer.