There are many serious health conditions which may affect those who are significantly overweight or obese including heart disease, type2 diabetes and benign intercranial hypertension (BIH). While the latter illness is very rare and only affects around one person in every two hundred thousand it is a severe condition which requires various tests.
Symptoms of Benign Intercranial Hypertension
Benign intercranial hypertension (BIH) is an obesity-related illness which predominantly affects women and results in a range of symptoms. One of the main symptoms includes continuous and severe headaches often leading to interrupted sleep patterns, mood swings and in some cases depression. Other symptoms of BIH involve nausea and visual disturbances similar to those experienced with severe migraines. The condition also causes tinnitus (possibly affecting balance), back pain, memory problems and neck pain.
As some of the symptoms may be very similar to premenstrual syndrome and migraines it is quite plausible that the condition may be under-diagnosed as a result. However, accurate diagnosis and resulting treatment is crucial in order to prevent severe lasting health complications.
How is Benign Intercranial Hypertension Diagnosed?
BIH is a condition involving multiple symptoms which may be easily confused with other health problems, making it crucial that if one is suffering from continuous headaches to be persistent with one's doctor. If a doctor suspects a patient is affected by BIH it is likely that an immediate referral will be made to the local hospital to undertake either a CT or MRI scan. Although this is likely to show no abnormalities, there may be smaller than usual ventricles identified. Following a scan, there may be a lumbar puncture and eye examination with the latter possibly showing optic nerve swelling or enlarged blind spots.
It is important to remember that due to a combination of this condition being in fact very rare and symptoms often being quite hard to spot, several tests may be necessary as a precaution or to rule out other severe forms of illness.
Benign Intercranial Hypertension Treatment
As BIH is recognised to be caused by obesity it is unsurprising therefore that weight loss is the most important and indeed effective approach to treating the condition. One of two forms of medications will also likely be prescribed including Diamox and Lasix. While the former may result in undesirable side-effects such as loss of appetite, skin peeling, itching and extreme tiredness, the latter is usually better tolerated. In addition to weight loss and medication, treatment typically includes eye-testing due to the link between BIH and blindness.
As highlighted above, benign intercranial hypertension is an obesity-related condition predominantly affecting women and resulting in a range of different symptoms which makes it hard to accurately diagnose. Treatment is absolutely crucial though as if left untreated severe complications may result including blindness.
Source:
Heaton-Harris, N. (2009) Childrens Health - Combating Obesity Brighton: Emerald Publishing
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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