Shunt 101: What Is a Shunt and Why Do We Have Them?

A shunt is a medical device used to treat hydrocephalus by helping the body manage excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. When that fluid cannot drain properly on its own, pressure builds up inside the skull. A shunt helps redirect that fluid to another part of the body where it can be absorbed safely.

Most commonly, people have a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. This type of shunt moves excess fluid from the brain’s ventricles to the abdominal cavity. Other types exist, but the purpose is always the same: to relieve pressure, protect the brain, and allow it to function as normally as possible.

A shunt is made up of three main parts: a catheter that sits in the brain, a valve that regulates how much fluid drains, and tubing that carries the fluid to its final destination. The valve plays a critical role in controlling pressure and flow. While shunts are lifesaving devices, they are mechanical systems—and like any mechanical system, they can wear down, clog, shift, or malfunction over time.

People have shunts for many reasons. Hydrocephalus can be present at birth, develop after brain injury, infection, hemorrhage, tumors, or appear later in life without a clear cause. Regardless of how someone ends up needing a shunt, the goal is the same: prevent damage caused by excess pressure in the brain.

Living with a shunt is not a “set it and forget it” situation. Shunts do not cure hydrocephalus—they manage it. This means lifelong monitoring, learning your personal symptom patterns, and understanding when something feels off. Many people live full, active lives with shunts, but that often comes with a level of self-awareness and advocacy others never have to learn.

For those newly diagnosed, hearing that you will need a shunt can be overwhelming and frightening. For long-term patients, it can be frustrating to explain to others why a small device has such a big impact on daily life. This topic exists to break down what a shunt is in clear, human terms—without medical jargon or fear-based language.

A shunt keeps people alive. It also shapes how they move through the world. Understanding what it does, why it’s necessary, and what it means for everyday life is the first step toward confidence, advocacy, and reclaiming a sense of control in a body that’s already been through a lot.