Loss of memory, mobility problems and issues with bladder control are often considered early indicators of dementia. But those are the same warning signs for a far lesser-known brain disorder that, in many cases, is completely reversible.
Normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) affects an estimated 770,000 people in the U.S. and Canada, according to recent estimates, and most of those patients go undiagnosed. It happens when spinal fluids build up in the skull and put pressure on the brain.
But doctors have developed a surgical treatment that drains the problematic fluid from the skull. When performed early enough, the procedure can fully restore a patient鈥檚 memory.
The problem, doctors say, is that NPH often isn鈥檛 correctly identified. In Canada alone, doctors estimate that around 15,000 patients may be misdiagnosed with a more serious condition, such as Alzheimer鈥檚 and Parkinson鈥檚 disease, that leaves them bedridden or in nursing homes.
鈥淧atients aren鈥檛 as aware of it, and doctors aren鈥檛 as aware of it. I would estimate that probably less than five per cent of the people who have it actually are getting treatment,鈥� Dr. Mark Hamilton, a neurosurgeon at the University of Calgary, told 麻豆影视.
It鈥檚 a scenario that Don Ethell is familiar with. In 2012, the former lieutenant governor of Alberta was beginning to struggle with mobility loss, memory and bladder control.
鈥淚 could see there was something terribly wrong,鈥� said his wife, Linda Ethell.
Fortunately for Ethell, he visited Dr. Hamilton, who runs a that focuses on hydrocephalus. Hamilton tested Ethell for NPH and spotted the tell-tale fluid in his brain. He underwent surgery, which involved inserting a tube via his abdomen to the bottom of his skull to allow the fluid to drain out.
In fewer than three months, Ethell went from barely being able to lift his feet to walking normally.
鈥淗is walking improved dramatically, and his memory tests right now are normal,鈥� Dr. Hamilton said.
This shunt treatment has an 87 per cent success rate, according to a by doctors from the University of Calgary and the University of British Columbia. Researchers also found that symptoms improved for 99 per cent of cases after a second treatment, if necessary.
It鈥檚 an astounding transformation that Dr. Hamilton has come to know through treating NPH patients.
鈥淚鈥檝e seen people with moderate dementia, significant short-term memory problems who are functioning at what we consider a normal level,鈥� he said.
The trouble with tackling NPH, Hamilton says, is awareness.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not as well known a disorder as it should be,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is a concern, because patients aren鈥檛 as aware of it and doctors aren鈥檛 as aware of it. People often get labelled as having Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and they don鈥檛 have effective treatments. So it is a concern that many of these patients are missed.鈥�
Experts say the as increasing age is a risk factor
NPH is treated at most neurosurgical centres in Canadian cities, but there are only three cities with hydrocephalus specialty clinics -- Calgary, Vancouver and London, Ont. The Calgary clinic is by far the largest, with over 250 new referrals each year and over 1,400 patient visits each year.
Don and Linda Ethell hope that by sharing their story, they can help raise awareness for the unusual but curable neurological disorder.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just tragic. I hope that this brings awareness to all those out there who are suffering,鈥� Linda said.
The condition, , is considered fairly uncommon and affects more than 1 in 200 adults over the age of 55, according to the
For Ethell, getting the proper care has given him another lease on life.
鈥淭his has been a breath of fresh air. It鈥檚 a second life,鈥� he said.
If you鈥檙e concerned that you may have NPH, the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada has : record your symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor, ask for a referral for a CT/MRI scan and, once the results are in, request an appointment with a neurosurgeon for more information.
With a report by CTV medical specialist Avis Favaro and producer Elizabeth St. Philip
