6 Warning Signs of a Brain Tumor

There are many types of brain tumours, and they come in different shapes and sizes. The good news is that not all of them are cancerous, and they can be benign. Some of the brain tumours start in the brain, but others begin in other parts of the body and then move to the brain, forming a secondary brain tumour. 

There are plenty of early symptoms of a brain tumour, but not everyone will show all of these signs. It is essential to look at some of the general signs of a brain tumour so that proper brain tumor treatment can be prescribed. Here are some of the symptoms you need to look out for depending on the size, type, and location of brain tumour: 

Worsening Headaches

Headaches are among the most common symptoms of brain tumours, and more than 50 per cent of people with brain tumours have experienced it during the early days of their diagnosis. Brain tumours can put a lot of pressure on the brain nerves and certain blood vessels resulting in headaches that they have never experienced before. Some of the different ways that people have described their headaches are –

  • Persistent pain in the head which is nothing like a migraine
  • It is often accompanied by feelings of nausea and other neurological symptoms
  • The pain gets worse when one change position, cough or exercise
  • Over-the-top medications do not help

If you are suddenly experiencing more headaches than you previously used to or they seem to be getting worse with time, you should get yourself evaluated by a doctor. He or she can rule out a brain tumour.

Seizures

Tumors in the brain can push on the nerve cells and often interfere with the electrical signals that the neurons fire. It can cause seizures and are quite common in people with brain tumours. Seizures are often considered to be the first sign of brain tumours, but it also doesn’t mean that all seizures are a result of a brain tumour. Seizures may appear in different forms, such as flexing, jerking, or even whole body convulsions depending on the location of the tumour. If you experience any kind of seizures, then maybe you need a brain tumour treatment.

Mood Swings or Personality Changes

Tumours can affect normal brain functioning and cause personality and behavioural changes. You might feel irritated, and you are no longer an easy-going person. You might also experience mood swings where you are happy one minute, and the next moment you start an argument. Such personality changes are often seen in people with tumours in their cerebrum, the frontal lobe, or their temporal lobe part of their brain.  

Confusion and Memory Loss

If there is a tumour in the frontal or temporal lobe, it can cause memory problems and affect your decision-making skills. You might find it hard to concentrate on your work and get easily distracted. You will not be able to multitask and might have problems in planning. You might also suffer from short term memory loss. You will find yourself getting confused at small matters. Even though these problems can happen for several different reasons, you should have a brain tumour ruled out first.

Fatigue

People often get confused between tiredness and fatigue. Fatigue is much more than feeling tired once in a while. Signs of fatigue are feeling exhausted all the time, sleeping in the middle of the day, feeling weak, inability to focus, and being irritated. If you are showing these signs, you might need a brain tumour treatment. If you have not felt tired before and are suddenly experiencing these symptoms, it is best to speak to your doctor about a diagnosis. 

The feeling of Nausea and Vomiting

During the early stages of a brain tumour, you might experience nausea and vomiting throughout the day because of hormonal imbalance. Even medicines might not help you manage the symptoms. This sign can also be side effects of other treatments that you are undergoing. But, it is also common among people with a brain tumour and should not be ignored. 

Even though some genetic disorders can result in brain tumours, most of the people with brain tumours have shown no signs of any risk factors. Adults over the age of 60 and children are at a higher risk of developing tumours, but they can happen at any age. Most of the time, tumours are small and benign and with the correct brain tumour treatment, it could be treated. 

If you feel you are experiencing any of the above signs, it is best to meet a doctor immediately.