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Over 1 million Americans are living with an incurable condition that can only be treated with brain surgery. It’s called hydrocephalus and it’s caused by a build-up of fluid that puts pressure on the brain. Anyone at any time can develop hydrocephalus, from infants to seniors, at any point in their lives. These individuals never know when their next brain surgery will be – for children, it’s not uncommon to have more brain surgeries than birthdays.
Types of Hydrocephalus
There are many different types of hydrocephalus. You can learn about these here https://www.hydroassoc.org/types-and-causes/.
One of these types, normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or dementia. NPH occurs in older adults when the ventricles of the brain are enlarged, but there is little or no increase in the pressure within the ventricles. An estimated 800K older Americans are believed to have NPH. When correctly diagnosed and treated the patient often can return to full functioning.
About The Hydrocephalus Association
Founded in 1983 by the parents of children with hydrocephalus, the Hydrocephalus Association (HA) is the nation’s largest and most widely respected organization dedicated to hydrocephalus. We fund high-impact research, provide support and educational resources for patients and caregivers, and advocate on behalf of the hydrocephalus community on key policies and legislation. HA’s mission is to find a cure for hydrocephalus and improve the lives of those impacted by the condition.
Since 2009, HA has invested over $13 million in cutting-edge research, making us the largest non-profit, non-governmental funder of hydrocephalus research in the United States. In turn, these scientists have invested this initial funding into their research to help them secure even greater funding amounts through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense (DOD) and other foundations. HA’s initial investment into research has multiplied to $84.8M in total funding.
The Hydrocephalus Association provides resources and support to individuals and families, as well as funding for critical research to find better treatment options and a cure. Learn more by visiting the Hydrocephalus Association’s website at www.hydroassoc.org or calling 888-598-3789 & click here to read 20 Powerful Facts about Hydrocephalus.
