6 warning signs of a brain tumor

Brain tumors occur when abnormal cells form inside the brain. There are many types of brain tumors, including malignant and benign brain tumors.

Malignant brain tumors that originate in the brain are called primary brain cancer. Brain tumors that spread to the brain due to cancer from another organ in the body are called secondary brain cancer, or brain metastases.

Depending on the age at onset, location, and histopathological characteristics of the tumor, patients may experience different symptoms. These symptoms often vary from person to person, depending on the tumor's location, type, size, and growth rate.

So, what are the symptoms of a brain tumor, besides headaches? What other symptoms are there? Below are 6 warning signs of a brain tumor.

1. Persistent headaches appear.

Persistent headaches are a common symptom, occurring in approximately 50% of brain tumor patients. The pain is often worse in the early morning or late at night, recurring daily and increasing in both intensity and duration. In young children who cannot yet complain of pain, symptoms may include loss of appetite, fussiness, reduced sleep, and restlessness.

Frequent head shaking is a warning sign of a brain tumor and should be checked early.

2. Symptoms of vomiting and nausea

Along with headaches, vomiting is a common symptom. Patients with brain tumors often vomit in the morning, and after each vomiting episode, they usually feel more tired but experience less headache. Frequent vomiting can lead to exhaustion, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance. Initially, when symptoms are unclear, a small number of patients may be diagnosed with simple vomiting, possibly due to a gastrointestinal problem. Only after further tests and examinations yield clearer results is a brain tumor discovered.

3. Reduced vision

Brain tumors often affect vision. Large tumors can take up space, increase intracranial pressure, and compress the optic nerve, leading to reduced vision and visual acuity.

Patients with brain tumors may experience sudden changes in vision, such as blurred vision due to limited field of view. Swelling of the eye, drooping eyelids, and changes in the retina can also be warning signs of pressure from the brain tumor.

4. Prolonged stress, depression

Irritability, fatigue, stress, agitation, poor concentration, excessive sleepiness, or constant drowsiness are also symptoms that require attention.

5. Motor weakness/paralysis

When suffering from brain tumors, patients often experience weakness, numbness, and a tingling sensation in the hands and feet. Numbness and weakness tend to be on one side of the body, especially in patients with supratentorial syndrome: often there will be reduced or lost sensation on one side of the body, weakness or paralysis of movement on one side, speech disorders (the patient may understand speech but cannot speak, or can speak but cannot understand speech), visual disturbances, altered consciousness, decreased concentration, and sleep disturbances.

6. Epilepsy

Tumors can press on brain nerve cells, affecting and altering electrical signals in the brain, which can cause seizures.

Seizures are sometimes the first sign of a brain tumor, and they can occur at any stage of the disease. Approximately 50% of people with brain tumors experience at least one seizure. However, seizures are not always caused by brain tumors. Other causes of seizures include: cerebral vascular malformations, post-stroke complications, post-brain trauma, and parasitic infections in the brain.

In summary: Although brain tumors are rare, if you feel worried or experience warning signs of a brain tumor such as persistent headaches, you should immediately go to a medical facility for early and accurate diagnosis by doctors and find the most appropriate treatment plan for the best possible outcome.

MSc. Dr. Le Van Lam

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/6-dau-hieu-canh-bao-u-nao-172240531223606254.htm