Final answer:
Early signs of increased intracranial pressure include headaches, nausea, vomiting, vision changes, mental status changes, neurological deficits, seizures, and in infants, a bulging fontanel and irritability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Early signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) can vary depending on the underlying cause but often include symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, changes in vision, and alterations in mental status. Other potential early signs can involve neurological deficits like weakness or numbness on one side of the body (hemiparesis), seizures, and altered consciousness. In infants, a bulging fontanel (the soft spot on the head) and irritability can be indicative of increased ICP. In conditions like meningitis, symptoms can include severe headache, fever, stiff neck, and photophobia, while encephalitis may present with lethargy, seizures, and personality changes. Hydrocephalus, which is characterized by enlarged ventricles in the brain, can also lead to increased intracranial pressure.