How to Identify Hydrocephalus & Bulbar Palsy

Hydrocephalus is a condition that results from the blockage to the flow of spinal fluid. About 750,000 people have it, and 3-5 cases occur per 1,000 live births. Hydrocephalus usually shows up in the first few weeks following birth, between the ages of 4 and 8, and during early adulthood. Bulbar palsy is an assortment of signs and symptoms that occur in people who have hydrocephalus. There are a lot of signs and symptoms that lead to a diagnosis of hydrocephalus and bulbar palsy, and many tests that can be done to identify them.

Instructions

1. Notice a difficulty in swallowing and the dribbling of saliva. People with hydrocephalus and bulbar palsy also have a hard time chewing and choke when they drink liquids.

2. Recognize the lack of modulation in nasal speech. People with bulbar palsy and hydrocephalus have difficulty pronouncing all consonants. They can also have slurred speech and nasal regurgitation.

3. Ask the patient to say aah to see if there is weakness of the soft palate.. People with hydrocephalus and bulbar palsy don't have a gag reflex.

4. Look for a wasted tongue and lesions on the limbs. Ask for ultrasound tests or an MRI and find out if the doctor thinks a shunt that drains fluid could be surgically implanted to relieve symptoms.

5. Watch for infants that develop an enlarged head, enlarged scalp veins, vomiting, poor sucking, or a high pitched cry. Older children might have weakness in their extremities and recurrent pneumonia. They might complain of headaches, blurred vision, and drowsiness. Intelligence can decline and there might be respiration problems.