Hydrocephalus vs. Hydronephrosis: Understanding the Differences

Hydrocephalus, or water on the brain, is a condition of the brain. Hydronephrosis, or "water on the kidney" is a condition that affects one, or both of the kidneys.

Types of hydrocephalus

• There are two types of hydrocephalus, congenital hydrocephalus and normal pressure hydrocephalus.
  Congenital hydrocephalus occurs when an infant suffers from a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at birth. Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) occurs in adults.

Symptoms of hydrocephalus

• In congenital hydrocephalus, the most telling symptom is the size of an infant's head, or that the infant's head is larger than normal. Other symptoms include irritability, sleeping too much, vomiting, and not eating very much. Symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus include a decline in mental function, difficulty walking, and urinary incontinence.

What is hydronephrosis?

• Hydronephrosis, according to Merck manuals, is a condition that occurs when the flow of urine is obstructed, causing pressure on the kidney.

Causes of hydronephrosis

• Structural abnormality of the urinary tract, kidney stones, or an enlarged prostate gland.

Symptoms of hydronephrosis

• According to hydronephrosis.net, symptoms include abdominal pain, creatinine imbalance, electrolyte imbalance, enlarged kidney, groin pain, and kidney failure.