Is there a link between a headache and a brain tumor?

 


When you experience a headache that is more terrible than usual and doesn't feel like a tension headache or migraine, you might worry whether it's an indication of something more serious. You might even question if you're suffering from a brain tumour. However, keep in mind that the majority of headaches aren't caused by brain tumours. In fact, each year in the United States, fewer than 90,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The vast majority of brain cancers begin elsewhere in the body and then spread to the brain. Metastatic brain tumours are the term for these types of cancers. A primary brain tumour is a tumour that develops in the brain. As a result, most headaches aren't caused for alarm. A headache, on the other hand, is the most prevalent sign of a brain tumour.

Understanding the distinctions between a regular headache and a headache caused by a brain tumour can help you relax.

However, whenever you have a new issue, such as headaches and their symptoms, you should consult your doctor. Other symptoms, in many circumstances, can assist you and your doctor in determining the gravity of your issue.

Symptoms of a headache caused by a brain tumour

A brain tumour may not exhibit any symptoms in its early stages. It is only when it becomes large enough to put pressure on the brain or nerves in the brain that headaches occur. In certain aspects, the nature of a brain tumour headache differs from that of tension or migraine headache. For example, waking up with a headache on a regular basis could indicate the presence of a brain tumour. Morning headaches can be caused by a variety of illnesses, including obstructive sleep apnea or a hangover.

Take notice if you start getting frequent headaches, various types of headaches, or if the the severity of the headaches changes. These symptoms could suggest the presence of a brain tumour. Similarly, if you don't generally have headaches but start getting regular, painful headaches, visit a doctor right away.

Other symptoms of a headache caused by a brain tumour include:

  • Headaches that keep you up at night headache pain that shifts as you move
  • Pain that isn't relieved by over-the-counter pain medicines such aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Advil)
  • Headaches that linger for several days or weeks
  • Brain tumour headaches are frequently confused with migraines due to the intensity of the pain. A migraine episode, on the other hand, can cause nausea and light sensitivity. Headaches from a brain tumour are frequently accompanied by other symptoms.

Symptoms of a headache caused by a brain tumour

If you merely have a headache, it's less likely that you have a brain tumour than if you have additional major health problems. The following are some of the most prevalent signs of a brain tumour:

  •          Weight loss that isn't explained
  •          Double vision, fuzzy vision, or vision loss are all symptoms of a visual problem.
  •          Dizziness and loss of balance seizures increased pressure on the back of the skull
  •          Hearing loss and sudden inability to speak
  •     Unexpected moodiness and fury on one side of the body weakness or numbness that gradually worsens

Some of these signs and symptoms could be signs of a stroke, which isn't caused by a brain tumour. A stroke occurs when blood flow to or inside a blood artery in the brain is interrupted.

If your condition worsens from a light headache to anything else, visit your doctor, regardless of whether the symptoms are those of a stroke or a brain tumour.

Treatment for a brain tumour

The best treatment for a brain tumour is determined by its size, location, and kind.

There are around 120 different types of tumours in the brain and nervous system. They differ in terms of whether their cells are cancerous or benign (noncancerous), where they came from, the aggressiveness of the tumour cells, and a variety of other factors.

The following are some of the treatments for brain tumours:

  •          Surgery
  •          Radiation treatment
  •          Chemotherapy

Your doctor may try to manage your brain tumour headache symptoms with steroids to reduce inflammation and swelling, so alleviating strain on the nerves, if no aggressive cancer treatment is done. Your doctor may prescribe anti-seizure or anti-epileptic medicines if seizures are a concern.

A brain tumour does not go away on its own, even if some symptoms come and go. The earlier a tumour is detected and treated, the better the odds of a successful outcome. Even if your doctor determines that you do not have a brain tumour, the peace of mind will be invaluable.

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