What is idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH)?
“Idiopathic” means the cause isn’t known, “intracranial” means in the skull, and “hypertension” means high pressure. IIH happens when too much cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the fluid around the brain and spinal cord — builds up in your skull. This puts extra pressure on your brain and on the nerve in the back of your eye, called the optic nerve.
What is the difference between intracranial hypertension and hypertension?
Intracranial means inside the skull and hypertension means high fluid pressure. Intracranial hypertension means that the pressure of the fluid that surrounds the brain (cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) is too high. Elevated CSF pressure can cause two problems, severe headache and visual loss.
How does intracranial hypertension affect vision?
When pressure around the brain is too high it can put pressure on the optic nerve causing it to swell. This may eventually damage the optic nerve, often causing vision loss. High pressure can also damage the nerves that move the eyes, causing double vision. What Causes Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension?
What does it mean when your intracranial pressure is high?
Intracranial hypertension means that the pressure of the fluid that surrounds the brain (cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) is too high. Elevated CSF pressure can cause two problems, severe headache and visual loss. If the elevated CSF pressure remains untreated, permanent visual loss or blindness may result.
What is the management of idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
How to treat IIH?
What is the name of the condition that affects the brain?
Why is IIH a secondary IH?
What is the treatment for IIH?
Is IIH associated with mortality?
Does intracranial hypertension go away on its own?
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About this website
Is idiopathic intracranial hypertension a disease?
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disorder related to high pressure in the brain. It causes signs and symptoms of a brain tumor. It's also sometimes called pseudotumor cerebri or benign intracranial hypertension. The fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain is called cerebrospinal fluid or CSF.
What autoimmune diseases can cause increased intracranial pressure?
Cushing's disease and Addison's disease have been associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Is pseudotumor cerebri an autoimmune disorder?
Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome comprises intracranial hypertension with usual accompaniment of papilledema without ventriculomegaly, brain tumor, or brain dysfunction. 1,2,3 Primary Sjögren's syndrome is a common autoimmune connective tissue disease that may present with neurologic symptoms as its first manifestations.
What happens if you don't treat idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
Intracranial hypertension means that the pressure of the fluid that surrounds the brain (cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) is too high. Elevated CSF pressure can cause two problems, severe headache and visual loss. If the elevated CSF pressure remains untreated, permanent visual loss or blindness may result.
What is the life expectancy of someone with IIH?
IIH does not normally affect life expectancy. The major complications from IIH arise from untreated or treatment-resistant papilledema. In various case series, the long-term risk of one's vision being significantly affected by IIH is reported to lie anywhere between 10 and 25%.
How long do people with IIH live?
The average age at death was 46 years (range, 20-95 years). Participants of the IHR experienced higher all-cause mortality than the general population (SMR, 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-2.1).
What medications should be avoided with IIH?
Medicines known to be associated with IIH include1-4:antibiotics including tetracyclines (eg, minocycline, doxycycline), naldixic acid and nitrofurantoin.steroids (on withdrawal)contraceptives.vitamin A derivatives such as isotretinoin.indomethacin or ketoprofen in patients with Bartter's syndrome.amiodarone.More items...•
Can you fly with idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
Q: Is it safe to fly with IIH? Yes - it is safe to fly with or without a shunt if you have IIH. Some people find that flying causes a temporary worsening of their symptoms especially on take-off and/or landing.
Does IIH make you tired?
Thus headache, which is the cardinal feature of IIH, is common in chronic fatigue. Fatigue, the defining feature of chronic fatigue syndrome, is common in IIH.
What causes IIH to worsen?
Acute intracranial hypertension happens suddenly, usually because of an accident or stroke. Chronic intracranial hypertension develops over time, usually because of a health problem like a blood clot or brain tumor, or from taking certain medicines.
How can you naturally reduce intracranial hypertension?
The only home remedy is to lower your intracranial pressure, reduce stress and anxiety, quit smoking and put your head in a sloping area . Therefore, it can be said that the main method of home treatment of intracranial pressure is prevention of disorders and brain diseases.
Why does idiopathic intracranial hypertension happen?
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is increased pressure in your skull. It occurs because of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) buildup around your brain. When CSF builds up in your skull, it can put pressure on your optic nerve, the nerve that helps you see.
What autoimmune disorder affects the brain and spinal cord?
Description. Neuromyelitis optica is an autoimmune disorder that affects the nerves of the eyes and the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord.
What are some autoimmune neurological disorders?
Autoimmune Neurological DisordersMultiple Sclerosis. An MRI image showing areas of inflammation and scarring in the brain of an MS patient. ... Transverse Myelitis. ... Optic Neuritis. ... Neuromyelitis Optica. ... Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. ... Autoimmune or Paraneoplastic Encephalitis. ... Rare Neuroimmunological conditions. ... Spasticity.
Can Rheumatoid arthritis cause intracranial hypertension?
Drug-Induced Neurologic Manifestations of RA Glucocorticoids can cause myopathy, psychosis, and benign intracranial hypertension.
What are the symptoms of autoimmune encephalitis?
Common symptoms include:Impaired memory and understanding.Unusual and involuntary movements.Involuntary movements of the face (facial dyskinesia)Difficulty with balance, speech or vision.Insomnia.Weakness or numbness.Seizures.Severe anxiety or panic attacks.More items...
What are the symptoms of idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
IIH, also known as primary intracranial hypertension and pseudotumor cerebri, is a condition caused by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) buildup in the brain. This fluid buildup causes increased pressure ...
What is Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension? - American Academy of ...
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition where pressure inside your head rises, causing vision problems, headaches and other symptoms.This happens when fluid from the brain (called cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF) does not flow out of the head as it should.
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension - What You Need to Know - Drugs.com
Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 1 Sep 2022), Cerner Multum™ (updated 21 Sep 2022), ASHP (updated 12 Sep 2022 ...
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri ... - UpToDate
INTRODUCTION. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), also called pseudotumor cerebri, is a disorder defined by clinical criteria that include symptoms and signs isolated to those produced by increased intracranial pressure (ICP; eg, headache, papilledema, vision loss), elevated ICP with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition, and no other cause of intracranial hypertension evident ...
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension | National Eye Institute
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) happens when high pressure around the brain causes symptoms like vision changes and headaches. “Idiopathic” means the cause isn’t known, “intracranial” means in the skull, and “hypertension” means high pressure.
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension - Cleveland Clinic
Symptoms and Causes What causes intracranial hypertension? Some intracranial hypertension occurs because of known causes. Some people have chronic (long-lasting) intracranial hypertension because of health conditions like brain tumors or blood clots.. Acute (sudden) intracranial hypertension can occur after a:
What is idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) happens when high pressure around the brain causes symptoms like vision changes and headaches. “Idiopathic” means the cause isn’t known, “intracranial” means in the skull, and “hypertension” means high pressure.
Why does intracranial hypertension happen?
Acute intracranial hypertension happens suddenly, usually because of an accident or stroke. Chronic intracranial hypertension develops over time, usually because of a health problem like a blood clot or brain tumor, or from taking certain medicines. If doctors can’t find a reason for the high pressure, it’s called IIH.
What are the symptoms of IIH?
IIH symptoms are often similar to the symptoms of a brain tumor — so IIH is sometimes called pseudotumor cerebri, or “false tumor.”
How will my eye doctor check for IIH?
Your eye doctor will do several tests to check for signs of IIH, including a dilated eye exam to look at the back of your eye and a visual field test to check your peripheral vision.
How many people with IIH are women?
About 19 out of 20 people with IIH are women.
What is IIH in the brain?
IIH happens when too much cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the fluid around the brain and spinal cord — builds up in your skull. This puts extra pressure on your brain and on the nerve in the back of your eye, called the optic nerve.
Does Diamox help with IIH?
In 2010, NEI funded a clinical trial to test the medicine acetazolamide (Diamox) in IIH patients with mild vision loss. This trial helped to prove that acetazolamide, along with a weight loss plan, can help to restore some vision in people with IIH. It also helped create clear guidelines for doctors on how to prescribe acetazolamide for patients with IIH.
Overview
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is increased pressure around your brain. It occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid that cushions your spinal cord and brain, builds up in your skull. Pressure builds up in your brain and on your optic nerve, the nerve at the back of your eye that helps you see.
Symptoms and Causes
Some intracranial hypertension occurs because of known causes. Some people have chronic (long-lasting) intracranial hypertension because of health conditions like brain tumors or blood clots.
Diagnosis and Tests
IIH used to be known as pseudotumor cerebri because the symptoms resembled symptoms of a brain tumor. Your provider may use several diagnostic tests to rule out a tumor and find the cause of your symptoms. You may have:
Management and Treatment
For most people, intracranial hypertension symptoms improve with treatment. Your provider may recommend:
Prevention
If you have a condition that increases your risk of IIH, speak with your provider about how to best manage it. For example, if you have a high BMI, you can reduce your risk of IIH by losing weight. If you have iron-deficiency anemia, you may take iron supplements or other medications.
What does intracranial hypertension mean?
Intracranial means inside the skull and hypertension means high fluid pressure. Intracranial hypertension means that the pressure of the fluid that surrounds the brain (cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) is too high. Elevated CSF pressure can cause two problems, severe headache and visual loss. If the elevated CSF pressure remains untreated, ...
What are the two types of intracranial hypertension?
There are two categories of IH: primary intracranial hypertension and secondary intracranial hypertension. Primary intracranial hypertension , now known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), occurs without known cause. This form is known to occur in young, overweight, females in their reproductive years (ages 20-45). However, IH can develop in both males and females of all ages and body types. Secondary intracranial hypertension has an identifiable, causative agent, including drugs (such as tetracycline, lithium, Vitamin A-derived oral acne medications or excessive ingestion of Vitamin A, and oral or intrathecal steroids, growth hormone treatments), sleep apnea and certain systemic diseases such as lupus, leukemia, kidney failure (uremia), meningitis and dural venous sinus thrombosis. There is an association of IH and Chiari type I malformation. Many other causes have been suggested in the medical literature but have not yet been confirmed as true causes. It is critical in these patients to rule out an intracranial space occupying mass by neuro-imaging (CT or MRI). Although many factors are known to trigger the disease, the mechanism by which IH occurs, in either primary or secondary forms, is not known. In many cases, either type of IH may be chronic.
What is the name of the condition that occurs without known cause?
Primary intracranial hypertension, now known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), occurs without known cause. This form is known to occur in young, overweight, females in their reproductive years (ages 20-45). However, IH can develop in both males and females of all ages and body types.
Why is the incidence of secondary IH unknown?
The true incidence of secondary IH remains unknown because of the wide range of underlying causes and the lack of published surveys on the subject. Current statistics are not available on how many people have secondary intracranial hypertension.
Is IH a primary or secondary disease?
Although many factors are known to trigger the disease, the mechanism by which IH occurs, in either primary or secondary forms, is not known. In many cases, either type of IH may be chronic.
What Causes Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension?
Doctors do not know for sure what causes IIH. However, they suspect hormones play a role since this condition is more common in young, overweight women.
How Is Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treated?
You might not need any treatment if IIH is not causing severe headaches or vision loss. If you do need treatment, here are some options:
What is the cause of headaches in 2020?
Oct. 23, 2020. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition where pressure inside your head rises, causing vision problems, headaches and other symptoms. This happens when fluid from the brain (called cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF) does not flow out of the head as it should. When pressure around the brain is too high it can put pressure ...
How to diagnose intracranial hypertension?
Your ophthalmologist will do a series of tests to diagnose idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). They may include: 1 An eye exam. Your ophthalmologist will check your optic nerve for swelling. He or she will also test to see if you have any blank spots in your field of vision. 2 An MRI or CT scan. These scans help to check whether your symptoms are due to IIH or caused by other medical problems. 3 A spinal tap. This is when your doctor measures the pressure of your spinal fluid. He or she will also draw fluid to test it for any problems.
What causes IIH in overweight women?
Doctors do not know for sure what causes IIH. However, they suspect hormones play a role since this condition is more common in young, overweight women.
Can IIH cause headaches?
You might not need any treatment if IIH is not causing severe headaches or vision loss. If you do need treatment, here are some options: Your doctor may prescribe medicine that treats glaucoma to help lower your CSF pressure. You might also be prescribed diuretics—medicine that helps your body get rid of excess fluid.
Why does cerebri have increased intracranial pressure?
The increased intracranial pressure of pseudotumor cerebri might result from a problem in this absorption process.
Can intracranial pressure cause headaches?
The increased intracranial pressure can cause swelling of the optic nerve and result in vision loss. Medications often can reduce this pressure and the headache , but in some cases, surgery is necessary. Pseudotumor cerebri can occur in children and adults, but it's most common in women of childbearing age who are obese.
What is the management of idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
Management options for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) can vary from person to person and may involve regular eye exams to monitor vision changes, medications, weight loss, and in some cases, surgery.
How to treat IIH?
Medications that may be used to reduce CSF build-up and relieve intracranial pressure include acetazolamide and furosemide . Weight loss through dieting or weight loss surgery may also be recommended for people with IIH who are overweight or obese, although this does not lead to improvement of symptoms in all cases. If the above management options are not successful and symptoms are severe or permanent vision loss is possible, surgery may be needed. Types of surgery that may be needed may include a procedure to remove pressure on the optic nerve (optic nerve sheath fenestration), and CSF shunting, which involves surgically inserting a tube to drain cerebrospinal fluid. [1] [2]
What is the name of the condition that affects the brain?
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), formerly known as pseudotumor cerebri, is a condition that affects the brain. Pseudotumor cerebri literally translates to "false brain tumor ." This term was used because symptoms of IIH resemble those of brain tumors depsite no tumor being present. Symptoms of IIH may include severe headache, nausea and vomiting, altered vision, and pulsating sounds within the head. A person with IIH may also have symptoms such as a stiff neck, back or arm pain, eye pain, and memory problems. If the condition remains untreated, permanent visual loss or blindness may develop.
Why is IIH a secondary IH?
IIH most often (but not always) occurs in young, overweight, females. When symptoms of intracranial pressure have an identifiable cause such as another underlying disease or medication , the condition is instead referred to as secondary IH.
What is the treatment for IIH?
Treatment for IIH may include medications called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors to control the production of CSF. In some cases, weight loss may also be recommended. However, medications and/or weight loss are not effective in all cases. In severe cases that do not respond to medication and weight loss, surgery may be needed to relieve symptoms and/or preserve vision. [1] [2]
Is IIH associated with mortality?
IIH is not known to be associated with any specific mortality risk, but surg ical procedure s used to treat severe cases may affect quality of life or lead to a shortened lifespan due to complications. [5]
Does intracranial hypertension go away on its own?
In some cases, it goes away on its own within months. However, symptoms may return. [3] It has been reported that regaining weight that was previously lost has been associated with symptoms returning in some people. [4] Some individuals with IIH experience progressive worsening of symptoms, leading to permanent vision loss. [1] [3] Symptoms that cause pain and loss of visual function cause much of the burden associated with IIH. [5]