Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Treatment in India

Diya Nair, a 72-year-old retired librarian,...

Diya Nair, a 72-year-old retired librarian, had always been sharp and independent. Over the past year, her daughter noticed a troubling change. Diya's once brisk walk had become a slow, shuffling gait, and she seemed to struggle with balance. She was also becoming forgetful, misplacing her glasses and forgetting appointments, which she dismissed as 'senior moments.' The most heartbreaking symptom was a new urinary incontinence, which deeply embarrassed the proud woman. Her primary care physician, suspecting more than normal aging, referred her to a neurosurgeon, Dr. Kapoor. After reviewing an MRI showing enlarged ventricles and conducting a spinal tap that temporarily improved her symptoms, Dr. Kapoor diagnosed Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). He recommended a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery to drain the excess cerebrospinal fluid. Diya was terrified of brain surgery but agreed, clinging to the hope of regaining her independence. The procedure went smoothly. The recovery in the hospital was challenging, with headaches and fatigue, but within weeks, a miracle unfolded. Her walking became steadier, her mind clearer. The incontinence resolved. Six months post-op, Diya is back to her book club and walking in the park. Emotionally, she journeyed from fear and humiliation at her declining abilities to profound gratitude and a fierce determination to enjoy her reclaimed life.