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Dr. Andrew Rynne

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Shunts Placed In Brain In Childhood. Will Smoking And Drinking Cause The Failure Of Shunts?

a friend of mine has had multiple shunts put in his brain, since 7 years of age. He is 33 now. Family is very worried about him. He drinks and smokes. Could this be contributing to the failure of the shunts? I have heard that people with a shunt in their brain to drain the fluid should not drink alcohol or smoke because it can cause pressure and the shunt could lift, causing a leak.
Tue, 18 Dec 2012
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Neurologist,  's  Response
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

First of all, I would like to reassure you that shunts can be kept in the brain ventricles for a long period of time without any problems.

The two most common problems with long-term shunt tubes are 1. shunt infection, and 2. shunt dysfunction.

However, these complications are not directly linked to smoking and alcohol consumption.

But smoking and alcohol can lead to other health hazards, such as cancer, heart disease, brain stroke, liver disease, etc, so, I would suggest that your friend stops smoking and consuming alcohol.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
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Shunts Placed In Brain In Childhood. Will Smoking And Drinking Cause The Failure Of Shunts?

Hi, Thank you for posting your query. First of all, I would like to reassure you that shunts can be kept in the brain ventricles for a long period of time without any problems. The two most common problems with long-term shunt tubes are 1. shunt infection, and 2. shunt dysfunction. However, these complications are not directly linked to smoking and alcohol consumption. But smoking and alcohol can lead to other health hazards, such as cancer, heart disease, brain stroke, liver disease, etc, so, I would suggest that your friend stops smoking and consuming alcohol. Best wishes, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)