Should people with a ventriculoperitoneal (VP)shunt drink alcohol?

Hydrocephalus is usually due to blockage of CSF outflow in the ventricles or in the subarachnoid space over the brain. In a normal healthy person, CSF continuously circulates through the brain and its ventricles and the spinal cord and is continuously drained away into the circulatory system. Alternatively, the condition may result from an overproduction of the CSF fluid, from a congenital malformation blocking normal drainage of the fluid, or from complications of head injuries or infections. People usually get the VP shunt put in so that it can drain the CSF fluid since their brain cannot do it normally.  more