Hydrocephalus is caused by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid usually surrounds the brain and spinal cord for nourishment and protective purposes. Hydrocephalus occurs when there is an imbalance between the amount of cerebrospinal fluid that is produced and the rate at which it is absorbed. As the cerebrospinal fluid builds up, pressure inside the head increases, potentially placing increased pressure on brain tissue. Hydrocephalus can either be congenital or be acquired in association with other conditions.
Hydrocephalus is commonly associated with spina bifida, to the extent that spina bifida is often called spina bifida hydrocephalus or SBH.
Symptoms and characteristics
Symptoms of hydrocephalus vary depending on the extent of fluid build up, age and any other associated disease processes. Common symptoms of excess cerebrospinal fluid can include:
- an unusually large head in infancy
- headaches and irritability
- drowsiness and fatigue
- personality changes including reduced clarity of thinking and memory loss
- bladder incontinence
- developmental delay or regression
- vomiting and nausea
- altered vision
- altered balance, coordination and walking gait
- seizures.
If the condition progresses without intervention to drain the excess cerebrospinal fluid, irreversible damage to the nerve cells in the brain can occur. For more information on the above symptoms and characteristics, please see the link below:
Workplace adjustments and solutions
If a person has hydrocephalus to the extent that it has affected their physical and or intellectual functioning, they may require some adjustments in the workplace. A workplace assessment is recommended to determine specific needs to overcome barriers within the workplace. Assessment may recommend changes to work tasks and the environment, such as:
- use of adaptive technology or equipment to assist in overcoming barriers and increasing productivity and independence
- ensuring physical accessibility to all areas of the workplace including kitchen and bathroom amenities, workspace and other doorways or emergency exits
- set up of kitchen amenities, office or workplace supplies, equipment and furniture which allows for independent access and use
- workstation and ergonomic chair or stool adjustments specific to a person’s needs
- if having difficulty with memory or concentration, use memory aids such as job task boards, lists, task cards, computer prompts, a buddy system or alarms, such as watches or timers
- build in time for breaks at work to avoid fatigue
- modifying tasks or method of work to accommodate a person’s strengths.
The Employment Assistance Fund provides financial assistance for work related modifications, equipment and services to help people with disability to get employment and perform their work as independently and productively as possible. To determine eligibility, please refer to the full guidelines:
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements related to hydrocephalus:
References
Better Health Channel 2010, Hydrocephalus, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 17 December 2011, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Hydrocephalus?open.
Hydrocephalus Association 2002, Diagnosis of Hydrocephalus, Hydrocephalus Association, San Francisco, viewed 17 December 2011,
https://www.hydroassoc.org/hydrocephalus-education-and-support/learning-about-hydrcephalus/diagnosis-of-hydrocephalus/.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 2011, NINDS Hydrocephaly Information Page, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Maryland, viewed 17 December 2011, http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/hydrocephalus/hydrocephalus.htm.
Shine 2011, What is hydrocephalus?, Shine, London, viewed 17 December 2011, http://www.shinecharity.org.uk/hydrocephalus.