WILLIAMS DRAWS STATE'S ATTENTION TO HEALTH CONDITION

 HARRISBURG, OCT. 4 – State Sen. Connie Williams asked her colleagues to join with her in drawing the state's attention to hydrocephalus, a health condition that can occur to anyone at any age and that has no cure.

 Hydrocephalus is a neurological condition that occurs when there is an abnormal accumulation of fluid within the cavities in the brain. The only known treatment is brain surgery that involves inserting a tube, called a shunt, into the brain to drain the fluid to another part of the body.

 "This is a serious medical condition that can affect anyone at any age – from young children to older adults," Williams said. "The only treatment that is available is the same one that has been used since 1952 and it carries risks. Because the symptoms can mimic other disorders, it can be misdiagnosed as dementia, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Left untreated this is a fatal condition."

 The condition affects an estimated 1 million Americans. Over 375,000 older Americans have this condition, which often goes undetected for years or is misdiagnosed. Of every 1,000 babies born in America, 1.5 will be born with Hydrocephalus. The majority of cases have an unknown cause.

 With appropriate diagnosis and treatment, many patients with the condition will live normal lives. There is, however, no known cure.

 "This is why it is so important to draw attention to this condition," Williams said. "More research needs to be done to improve not only upon the treatment of this condition, but also to find a cure."
Senate members unanimously support Williams' resolution (SR 365) declaring the month of November as Hydrocephalus Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.