Intracranial Hypertension - Increased Intracranial Pressure

Increased intracranial pressure means that the pressure inside the skull is abnormally high, which may cause damage to the brain.

What is going on in the body?

There is normally a small amount of pressure inside the skull. This pressure can become elevated from various conditions. An increased pressure in the skull can put too much pressure on the brain and decrease blood flow to the brain. Increased pressure can also force the brain downward onto the brainstem. This area controls vital functions like breathing, so this is a potentially fatal problem.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Increased intracranial pressure may be caused by:

There are other causes, and in some cases the cause is not known.