And what you can do if your loved one received the wrong diagnosis
When an older person begins to walk unsteadily, seems forgetful, or starts having bladder problems, many families – and even doctors – assume it’s just a natural part of ageing. In other cases, a diagnosis like Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease is made, and treatment starts accordingly.
But what if it wasn’t either of those things? What if there was a treatable cause that had been missed?
This is exactly what can happen in cases of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) – a condition that shares symptoms with more well-known neurological disorders but requires a very different approach to treatment.
What is NPH?
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus is a condition where fluid builds up in the brain, enlarging its ventricles and placing pressure on surrounding tissue. Despite the name, the pressure inside the skull often reads as “normal” on standard tests, making diagnosis more difficult.
NPH mainly affects older adults, and if it goes unrecognised, some patients might lose mobility, mental sharpness, and bladder control unnecessarily.
The classic symptoms that should raise red flags
NPH typically presents with a trio of signs:
- Walking difficulties – such as a wide-based, shuffling gait or frequent falls.
- Cognitive changes – like slowed thinking or memory loss.
- Urinary incontinence – including urgency or frequent accidents.
These symptoms are often mistaken for ageing, Alzheimer’s disease, or Parkinson’s – but NPH is different in one crucial respect: in some patients it may be treatable with surgery that can improve, reverse, or slow the progression of symptoms.
The dangers of a missed or delayed diagnosis
If NPH is not considered – and other conditions are wrongly assumed – patients may miss out on the treatment opportunities and care that are most suitable for the underlying issue. In some cases, they may experience a rapid and potentially avoidable decline in their quality of life.
Where a delay in diagnosis has led to harm, or treatment has been withheld unnecessarily, this may amount to medical negligence.
When medical errors become legal matters
Working with Shine to raise awareness
We support the work of Shine, the UK’s leading charity for complex conditions including NPH, hydrocephalus and spina bifida. We are campaigning to improve recognition of NPH across the health system. Like Shine, we believe that better awareness among healthcare professionals could lead to earlier intervention – and better outcomes.
If your loved one was diagnosed too late – or misdiagnosed entirely – it’s worth asking why.
What should you do if you suspect NPH was missed?
If you believe that a relative or loved one may have been affected by a delayed or incorrect diagnosis of NPH:
- Speak to a medical expert. A specialist neurology opinion can confirm whether the right steps were taken.
- Request medical records. These can show what assessments were carried out, and when.
- Contact a medical negligence solicitor. We offer free initial consultations to discuss what happened and whether there may be a claim.
We’re here to help
At Davies and Partners, we specialise in helping families understand whether a missed diagnosis of NPH could have legal consequences. If a healthcare provider failed to carry out appropriate investigations, overlooked clear symptoms, or did not consider NPH when they should have, there may be grounds to make a claim.
We understand how distressing it can be to learn that a loved one’s suffering – or loss of independence – could have been avoided. That’s why we work with expert medical advisors to review each case with care and clarity.
NPH is a serious but often manageable condition – if it’s caught in time. If you feel the opportunity for early treatment was missed, we’re here to help you find answers, and if appropriate, pursue justice, so contact us today for free initial advice.