Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, or NPH, is a condition usually affecting older people that can go undiagnosed, sometimes for many years. Symptoms include difficulties in walking, confusion and memory problems similar to dementia, and urinary incontinence. Depression is also often associated with it. If treated, these symptoms may be alleviated or even go away completely. Many people have never heard of NPH and their GPs may not have come across it. If someone has a diagnosis they and their families can be left feeling isolated as they don’t know anyone else with the condition. They may also have lots of unanswered questions as we recently found out through the Shine50Plus project!
The project has recently facilitated a meeting of people with NPH and their spouses at the home of a Shine member in Oxfordshire. People came from as far away as Leicester and Somerset to have the opportunity to share information and experiences. We were lucky to have the expert advice on hand of Rosemary Ellis, who was employed by Shine as a Senior Health Adviser for many years and now volunteers for us. With Rosemary’s help the group is putting together a list of Frequently Asked Questions about NPH which we hope can be made available to people who are newly diagnosed. The group is also keen to set up a nationwide peer support network for people with NPH. So watch this space as NPH Support gets going!