Idiopathic intracranial hypertension

[Sarah]

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is characterized by increased pressure within the skull (intracranial pressure). What triggers the disorder is unknown.

People have daily or near daily headaches, sometimes with nausea, blurred or double vision, and noises within the head (tinnitus).
Imaging of the head is done to rule out possible causes of increased pressure, and a spinal tap is done.
Without prompt treatment, vision can be lost.
Weight loss, diuretics to reduce fluids in the brain, and spinal taps done periodically to reduce the pressure can help, but surgery is sometimes needed.

(See also Overview of Headache.)
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension occurs in only about 1 of 100,000 people, usually in women during their reproductive years. However, among young overweight women, it is 20 times more common. As more and more people are becoming overweight, the disorder is becoming more common.