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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Hydrocephalus and hypoglycemia
Answered by
Lama Chahine, MD - Neurology
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland - OH
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Hydrocephalus and hypoglycemia
by kronflux, Nov 05, 2009 08:33AM
hey,
My friend has Hydrocephalus and has a shunt. unfortunately, this causes her to not eat much because everything she eats makes her sick, which I'm assuming is what resulted in her also being hypoglycemic. I've read that orange juice, apple juice, and grape juice are good ways to help hypoglycemia but both of those make her sick! aside from getting IV's is there anything she can take, or eat that has a low chance of making her feel sick, but will help her hypoglycemia?
also, I don't know if it's just me.. but the idea of a tube draining fluids from the brain to the stomach seems.. kind of primitive to me. are there any newer treatments, or even things being researched about treatment options for hydrocephalus? I haven't been able to find much.
My friend has Hydrocephalus and has a shunt. unfortunately, this causes her to not eat much because everything she eats makes her sick, which I'm assuming is what resulted in her also being hypoglycemic. I've read that orange juice, apple juice, and grape juice are good ways to help hypoglycemia but both of those make her sick! aside from getting IV's is there anything she can take, or eat that has a low chance of making her feel sick, but will help her hypoglycemia?
also, I don't know if it's just me.. but the idea of a tube draining fluids from the brain to the stomach seems.. kind of primitive to me. are there any newer treatments, or even things being researched about treatment options for hydrocephalus? I haven't been able to find much.
Doctor's Answer
by Lama Chahine, MD, Nov 07, 2009 10:08AM
, Nov 07, 2009 10:08AM
Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.
Without the ability to examine your friend and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of her symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
If your friend is unable to eat because of nausea or other symptoms, this could potentially be due to the hydrocephalus, in which case the shunt may not be functioning properly and may require revision. However, in someone who has a shunt and on examination and history there is no evidence of shunt problems, and if the hydrocephalus is under control, then a feeling of sickness with eating is not expected, and a search for other causes (gasteroenterologic, GI, causes) is necessary. Any food or liquids that contain sugar (that is broken down to glucose) is helpful in preventing or treating low blood sugar. But again, someone who can consume even small quantities of food on a regular basis should not have low blood sugar, so if glucose measurements in the blood are showing low values consistently, evaluation for the causes of this is recommended as well.
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.
Without the ability to examine your friend and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of her symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
If your friend is unable to eat because of nausea or other symptoms, this could potentially be due to the hydrocephalus, in which case the shunt may not be functioning properly and may require revision. However, in someone who has a shunt and on examination and history there is no evidence of shunt problems, and if the hydrocephalus is under control, then a feeling of sickness with eating is not expected, and a search for other causes (gasteroenterologic, GI, causes) is necessary. Any food or liquids that contain sugar (that is broken down to glucose) is helpful in preventing or treating low blood sugar. But again, someone who can consume even small quantities of food on a regular basis should not have low blood sugar, so if glucose measurements in the blood are showing low values consistently, evaluation for the causes of this is recommended as well.
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.
Member Comments (4)
by SarahAliciaC, Nov 05, 2009 08:35AM
I'm not a doctor but I have a shunt this nausia will go away after a while it was a good month until I could keep anything down but it gradually gets better. Be patient!
by SarahAliciaC, Nov 05, 2009 08:39AM
Also if her shunt is where mine is the nausia is most likely due to the fact tht it's placed in the reaction center that controls throwing up.
by redkim, Nov 06, 2009 01:14PM
I have Chiari malformation which affects my spinal fluid as well as a pineal cyst. I have aweful stomach problems, I am scared to eat because no matter what I eat I feel so sick. I am going to the doctors today to get checked out. Good luck to your friend! If I get any good info I will pass it on.
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