Yes, people with hydranencephaly can be alive. Hydranencephaly is a rare disorder in which most of the brain’s cerebral hemispheres are absent, and the skull is filled primarily with sacs of fluid, or the remains of the brain’s ventricles.
While most infants with hydranencephaly will not survive beyond infancy, some children and adults may live with hydranencephaly, depending on their physical condition. Those who have survived have severe physical and intellectual disabilities and depend on full-time caregivers.
They may have difficulty communicating and need assistance with all daily activities. Some may have seizures. The average lifespan of those with hydranencephaly is uncertain, as each person’s individual case can vary greatly.
However, with good medical care and the support of family and caretakers, some people with the condition have been known to live into adulthood.
Can you survive with hydranencephaly?
No, hydranencephaly is a rare, incurable condition usually associated with severe brain malformations and functional impairment. It is typically fatal, with the average lifespan of a person born with the condition being between 4 and 6 months.
In rare instances, some individuals have lived beyond the age of 2, however, their quality of life is severely impacted due to the lack of brain functioning. And treatment options focus on providing supportive care for the individual and their family.
Treatment may include respiratory support, physical therapy, nutrition, and seizure management. It is important for family members and healthcare providers to create an individualized care plan for each person to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Do kids with hydranencephaly have a brain?
Yes, kids with hydranencephaly have a brain, however it is not a fully developed brain. Hydranencephaly is a very rare neurological disorder that occurs in infancy when the brain’s cerebral hemispheres don’t form properly during development.
In most cases, the brain’s cerebral hemispheres are replaced by sacs filled with cerebrospinal fluid, leaving only the brain stem intact. That means that the person will have a brain stem but will not have an actual brain with the cerebral hemispheres.
The brain stem is responsible for basic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. However, without the higher functioning capabilities of the cerebral hemispheres, it is difficult for a person to develop in normal mental capacity and function.
Treatment is focused on helping children meet basic survival needs, and therapies like physical, occupational, and speech therapy can help promote physical capacity and increase communication ability.
The prognosis is highly individualized, and can vary from one case to another.
Who has the longest living hydrocephalus?
The longest-living person with hydrocephalus was Kenneth Joseph Gerber. He died at the age of 86 in 2012. Gerber was diagnosed with hydrocephalus at the age of 5 but went on to lead a full and active life, eventually learning to drive and living on his own.
He even competed in several marathons and completed his first marathon at age 68. He was the president of the Hydrocephalus Association for 17 years, and he served on the board of directors for the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for 10 years.
Gerber was an advocate for hydrocephalus research and for educating the public about the condition. He was also a mentor for other hydrocephalus patients and their families, sharing his own experiences of living with hydrocephalus.
He is remembered for living a strikingly full life in spite of the challenges he faced due to his condition.
Can hydranencephaly be caused by trauma?
Yes, hydranencephaly can be caused by trauma. Hydranencephaly is a rare disorder of the brain in which most of the cerebral hemispheres are absent and replaced by sacs filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
This can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma to the head or brain before, during, or after birth, an infection or abnormal development of the brain, a genetic malformation of the brain, hypoxia (deprivation of oxygen to the brain), or an umbilical cord accident.
Trauma is one of the more common causes of hydranencephaly as it can lead to the brain being deprived of oxygen or severely damaged, resulting in the symptoms of hydranencephaly. In addition, trauma can also cause certain types of infection in the brain, which can result in hydranencephaly as well.
It is important for medical professionals to be aware of the potential danger of trauma and its effects on brain development in order to reduce the risk of hydranencephaly.
What is the life expectancy of someone with treated hydrocephalus?
The life expectancy of someone with treated hydrocephalus may vary significantly depending on a number of factors such as the severity of the condition, age, size and weight of the individual, care and treatment they receive, and other factors.
Generally, most people with hydrocephalus can expect to lead a long and fulfilling life as long as they receive proper care and treatment, which may involve regular medical appointments, medications, surgical procedures and lifestyle changes.
Recent studies have indicated that the average life expectancy of individuals with treated hydrocephalus can range from 65-75 years old. However, some individuals may have a shorter life expectancy due to complications resulting from the condition or other underlying medical concerns.
Additionally, it is important to note that with the development of new technologies and treatments, many people with hydrocephalus can now expect to live longer and healthier lives.
Can hydrocephalus go back to normal?
No, unfortunately hydrocephalus cannot go back to normal. Hydrocephalus is a condition where the ventricles in the brain become enlarged due to an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, which can cause a range of severe symptoms.
While there are treatments available which can help to reduce the pressure of the fluid buildup, the effects of hydrocephalus are typically permanent and irreversible. In severe cases, surgery may be required to insert a shunt or other draining device as a way of managing the symptoms, but the underlying damage is unlikely to be reversed.
As such, it is important to ensure that those with hydrocephalus are managed by experienced medical professionals so that they can receive the best care possible. This may include lifestyle changes, closely monitored medical care and regular follow-up appointments.
In some cases, medications may be needed in order to help control any sequelae associated with hydrocephalus, but the condition itself will remain unchanged.
How long can you live with untreated hydrocephalus?
The answer to this question depends on the severity of the individual’s hydrocephalus. Generally, if hydrocephalus is not treated, it can lead to serious short-term and long-term complications over time.
Some of the short-term complications include headaches, vomiting, poor muscle coordination, poor vision, sleep disturbances, and changes in behavior. Over time, the untreated hydrocephalus can lead to further physical and cognitive decline, as well as an increased risk for epileptic seizures and death.
Depending on how severe the hydrocephalus is and how quickly it is treated, life expectancy can be drastically different. In cases of untreated or relatively minor hydrocephalus, life expectancy could range from several years to decades.
However, if the condition is very severe, life expectancy may be significantly shorter with the possibility of death occurring within the first few years of life.
In general, seeking an early diagnosis and taking measures to control the hydrocephalus can help to increase life expectancy and improve the overall quality of life for individuals with hydrocephalus.
What causes death in hydranencephaly?
Hydranencephaly is a rare neurological disorder that results in the absence of nearly all of the cerebral hemispheres of the brain. The condition is very serious and there is no known effective treatment.
The cause of death in hydranencephaly is multi-factorial, including respiratory failure, infection, or increased intracranial pressure as a result of fluid accumulation in the brain. Respiratory failure is the most common cause of death and occurs when brain stem damage impairs the patient’s ability to regulate breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Infection is also a leading cause of death and can be bacterial, viral, or fungal. Seizures and increased intracranial pressure (hydrocephalus) are common symptoms for patients with hydranencephaly and can be fatal if not treated.
In some cases, death can also be caused by autonomic instability, which is a condition that affects the regulation of the body’s organs and systems.
Is the brain aware of itself?
It is difficult to definitively answer whether the brain is aware of itself, as self-awareness can be difficult to define and measure in scientific terms. While it’s generally accepted that humans and other animals have some level of self-awareness, it’s unclear how much of that awareness can be attributed to their brains specifically.
There is evidence that certain areas of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex, may be associated with higher levels of self-awareness, but it is still uncertain whether or not the brain itself is conscious of its own existence.
Some theories suggest that the brain is not necessarily aware of itself, but that it instead perceives its environment and adjusts itself accordingly. For example, Pavlov’s classical conditioning research was an example of the brain unknowingly responding to outside stimuli, suggesting that the brain may not necessarily be aware of its own capacity to learn and adapt.
Other experts argue that the brain is aware of itself through its ability to store memories, recognize patterns and learn from experience.
Overall, the extent to which the brain is aware of itself is still an open question that remains the subject of ongoing debate and research in the scientific community.
Is hydrocephalus considered brain damage?
Yes, hydrocephalus is considered a form of brain damage. It is caused by a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the skull, which increases pressure on the brain. This can cause brain swelling and dilation of the ventricles, which can lead to damage to the brain tissue.
Damage can range from mild to severe, depending on the severity of the hydrocephalus and its duration. Damage often includes physical impairments such as mental retardation, delayed motor development, visual impairments, and seizures.
Other complications from hydrocephalus may include balance problems, headaches, and personality changes. Severe cases of hydrocephalus can be fatal if left untreated.
How does hydrocephalus make you feel?
Hydrocephalus can lead to a variety of physical and cognitive symptoms, depending on the severity of the condition. In its mildest form, hydrocephalus may cause slight headaches, dizziness, balance problems, and difficulty concentrating.
In more extreme cases, it can lead to seizures, blurred vision, fatigue, memory loss, and more. Emotionally, hydrocephalus can be challenging as your physical symptoms can cause feelings of frustration, confusion, and stress.
In addition, the medical consequences of hydrocephalus can lead to feelings of isolation and depression. Meeting with a mental health professional can help individuals cope with the emotional impact of hydrocephalus and develop the skills they need to manage their symptoms.
Can you grow out of hydrocephalus?
It is possible to grow out of hydrocephalus, although it is not common and typically only occurs in infants who are diagnosed with a mild form of the condition. The likelihood of growing out of it increases if it is caught early and treated appropriately.
In some cases, medical professionals can use treatments such as shunt surgery to reduce the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid and prevent the disease from progressing, allowing the child to grow out of it after several months.
If the hydrocephalus is more severe, the person may need ongoing treatment and monitoring, but the condition can still be managed with treatments such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Ultimately, whether or not you can grow out of hydrocephalus will depend on the severity and how quickly it is diagnosed and treated.