How to Recognize the Symptoms of a Brain Tumor

A tumor can be defined as an irrepressible or abnormal growth of cells. Owing to the rampant and unwanted growth of cells, the extra ones are condensed in the form of a tissue or growth called tumors. Brain tumors originate in or around the brain; they may even be a result of an extension of another cancerous growth in another part of the body. They may be benign (non-cancerous) or cancerous in nature. Cancerous brain tumors are fatal as they can either harm the brain cells directly or cause pressure at vital spots of the brain with their growth. The symptoms of tumors have to be carefully observed, as they are common for other simple ailments too. Here are the common symptoms of brain tumors.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Understand that the symptoms of brain tumors differ from patient to patient, type of the tumor, location of the tumor and even age. These symptoms may not necessarily mean cancer, however, as the symptoms are similar to other problems and quite frequently observed, in most cases the doctors do not diagnose tumor in the first attempt.
2. Check out if the person has severe headaches that are very intense in the mornings, while waking up from sleep and lessening during the day. See if they increase with the level of stress or strain. The incidence of such headaches increases as the tumor grows.
3. See if the headaches are accompanied by nausea or vomiting, especially in the mornings. Normally these two are not convincing signs of tumors and are quite common with normal headaches too, however, these also increase with the tumor growth.
4. Look for symptoms such as seizures in the person. See if there is an abrupt transformation in the overall behavior and body control of the person. Seizures lead to uncontrolled muscle spasms, vehement jerks of the limbs, partial or complete lack of sensitivity to touch, heat or cold and consciousness, difficulty in speech, hearing and seeing or even simply fixing eyes on something and staring. Never disregard them just because they occur with high fever, head injuries and epilepsy also.
5. Check for hearing and vision problems such as partial loss of vision or double vision. The patient may also show typical eye movements.
6. Look for signs such as frequent losing of grip, falls, change in the style and mannerisms of walking or faltering, unusual expressions of the face, complaints of awkward sensations in the hands and legs and lack of neuromuscular coordination. Many people also show rigidity or curving of arms and legs.
7. Check out if the patient encounters difficulties in remembering things, thinking, decision making or even understanding and using language. They may exhibit high sensitivity to smallest things, react wrongly or rashly, speak incorrectly or feel a loss of words or expression. They may also tend to be highly lethargic and fatigued, uncomfortable, depressed or drowsy, moody and in a state of constant sorrow and melancholy.

Tips & Warnings

• Understand that the steps for recognizing the symptoms mentioned above are simply certain common ones normally encountered. Presence of these does not automatically mean a brain tumor. Consult a doctor and get the brain scanned for accurate diagnosis.