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Dietary Triggers for Intracranial Hypertension
I think we have all heard by now that Intracranial Hypertension is most prominent in obese or overweight women. So why is weight loss in itself not the cure? Perhaps it isn’t always so much about the weight but what we are putting into our bodies. In this post, we will be discussing the most common dietary triggers for IH. First, however, I want to make it clear that we are all unique. Some of us may tolerate some foods better than others. This post is not intended to steer you away from any particular food that you may require for your own health needs. (And you can believe I…
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Count It All Joy
Earlier this month, I had my second brain surgery. I’ll save the details for another post, but overall it went very well. One might even go as far as to say it was successful – I haven’t had any high pressure symptoms since. The recovery process on the other hand was a different story. While on the surface, all is technically going well, there’s still so much more to recovery that never seems to be seen or heard. Take the post-surgery depression for example. In all honesty, I don’t even want to call it that because I know how much worse it could truly be. There is just no doubt…
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Surgical Options for Intracranial Hypertension
For those of us living with Intracranial Hypertension, it can be frustrating to hear time and time again that there is no cure. And though it is true that nothing has been invented specifically to treat IIH, we do have options in how we can manage this bizarre and painful condition. While many may find relief from medication or even natural remedies, others find hope through surgery. Now before we begin discussing the surgical options for IH, I would like to make it clear that I have only undergone one of these surgeries. Still, I feel it is important to provide all the information I can in regards to managing…
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Stenting for Intracranial Hypertension
*Read Disclaimers Here* While Intracranial Hypertension may not have an official cure, there are still a few treatment options available that have been known to relieve symptoms. One of these options is a surgical procedure known as stenting. Our brains contain large veins called ‘venous sinuses’ which are responsible for draining blood and spinal fluid from our head, through the jugular in our neck, and to our heart. The narrowing of these passageways is known as venous sinus stenosis, stenosis meaning ‘narrowing’. Once these veins narrow, CSF flow becomes impaired, causing intracranial pressure to increase, also known as Intracranial Hypertension. However, the cause of this narrowing can also be a…
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Natural Remedies for Intracranial Hypertension
Intracranial Hypertension is a rare and unusual condition with unfortunately no cure. However, there are many options out there that may help you manage this complex condition, from medication to brain surgery. But sometimes medicine and even surgical intervention can only do so much. In this case, natural remedies may help, either in place of these options or in addition to them. Everyone is different, and like with any treatment method, natural remedies may take just as much trial and error. But in time, relief can come. Before proceeding, it is important to note that I am not a doctor. I do not have a medical degree. The following natural…
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Gravity & Its Bizarre Effect on Spinal Fluid
Did you know that two-thirds of astronauts who are in space for a lengthy amount of time come home only to report vision problems such as papilledema? Why? Because spinal fluid is very positional. And gravity – or lack thereof – plays a crucial role in keeping levels balanced. “On Earth, this spinal fluid system is designed to accommodate changes whether a person is sitting, standing or lying down. But in space, ‘the system is confused by the lack of the posture-related pressure changes,’” ¹ My Experience When I first developed a spinal fluid leak, the tell-tale sign for my doctor was the fact that my pain was relieved when…
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Medication Options for Intracranial Hypertension
Having lived with Intracranial Hypertension for almost four years, I must say learning the ropes comes very slowly – but it does indeed come. Year one was mostly spent being misdiagnosed while trying all forms of relief in the wrong direction (allergies, migraine, etc). Year two was nothing but being a guinea pig for what helped and what didn’t, this included both noninvasive and invasive treatments (medications, weight loss, surgery). Year three was thankfully the beginning of finding successful answers – very, very slowly. Now with year four at its close, I hope to share with you some of what I have learned that has helped me manage this condition,…
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The Truth About Medical Trauma
⊗ Trigger Warning: The following post discusses Medical PTSD & Trauma. Please proceed with caution. “I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” – Anne Frank There are many reasons I write. Outside of it being my calling, writing can be incredibly therapeutic. Like seeing a therapist, it brings clarity to the situations in my life. Oftentimes, it can feel as if bees are swarming around in my mind. I can’t think straight, and speaking is almost completely out of the question. But writing allows for these “bees” to fly out one at a time and land on each page accordingly. It allows…
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By His Stripes, I Am Healed
To say it was a Sunday like any other would be a lie. In truth, I should have realized something was different early on. Though my husband made no comment to me, he didn’t even want to go to church that morning. Even I lacked the usual energy and excitement that I usually had in going to my place of freedom. The music didn’t reach me the same. I barely sang, and I could only manage a sway while everyone danced and clapped around me. I still had no idea of what was to come. Though my body was only a few feet from the alter, my mind was elsewhere.…
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My Shunt Surgery – Healing
Apparently when my neurosurgery team told me, “If you feel anything at all, let us know.” They meant, “It can take even eight weeks before your body adjusts to the shunt.” So by three weeks post-surgery, I was back at the hospital once again begging for relief. As I stood hunched against the corner of the elevator trying to stretch out the pressure, who do you think was to enter the elevator that Friday morning but my neurologist – my God-sent angel – the only one who could ever convince my neurosurgeons to help me. And despite ridiculous feuds with my neurosurgery team that day, my shunt was adjusted and…
