Intracranial pressure (ICP) is the pressure inside the skull that can result from or cause brain injury. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including bleeding in the brain, a tumor, stroke, aneurysm, high blood pressure, brain infection, and more. Increased ICP can lead to a headache and other symptoms, and it is a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention. The pressure can damage the brain or spinal cord by pressing on important structures and by restricting blood flow into the brain.

ICP can be measured during a spinal tap or by using a device that is drilled through the skull or a tube (catheter) that is inserted into a hollow area in the brain called the ventricle. Treatment for increased ICP is an emergency and might include medicine to reduce swelling, surgery to remove a tumor or relieve pressure, or other interventions depending on the underlying cause.

Symptoms of increased ICP can include a constant throbbing headache, temporary loss of vision, feeling and being sick, feeling sleepy, feeling irritable, and more. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention right away.