Are you worried about a sudden onset of seizures, blurred vision, or headache? You may be wondering if you have a brain tumour. While these symptoms can be caused by other problems, it’s important to rule out a brain tumour as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Brain Tumour
Most brain tumours do not cause symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms do occur, they will depend on the size and location of the brain tumour.
Some common symptoms of a brain tumour include:
- Headaches (often worse in the morning)
- Problems with vision, hearing, or balance
- Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
- Seizures
- Personality changes or mood swings
- drowsiness or sleepiness
- changes in activity level or energy levels
- changes in sensation (including vision, hearing, smell and touch)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor immediately so that they can rule out other potential causes.
Do symptoms of brain tumours appear suddenly?
Some tumours grow slowly and do not cause symptoms until they are large enough to press on surrounding tissue or nerves. In other cases, symptoms may appear suddenly if the tumour grows quickly or bleeds.
Brain tumours can be either non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant), and their symptoms can vary depending on the type of tumour and its location.
In general, brain tumours do not cause symptoms until they reach a certain size and begin to press on adjacent tissues. However, some tumours grow more quickly than others, and some types are more likely to cause sudden symptoms.
For example, a meningioma is a slow-growing tumour that typically does not cause symptoms until it is very large.
On the other hand, an acoustic neuroma is a slow-growing tumour that may cause sudden hearing loss or balance problems if it presses on the nerves near the inner ear.
Similarly, a metastatic brain tumour may cause sudden headaches if it presses on the blood vessels in the brain. Brain tumours can also cause seizures, which can appear suddenly.
In short, the symptoms of a brain tumour may appear suddenly or gradually, depending on the type of tumour and its location.
When to see Doctor
If you suspect that you or a loved one may have a brain tumour, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. While not all brain tumours are cancerous, they can still cause serious symptoms and may require treatment.
If you experience any of the symptoms which are mentioned above, it is important to see a doctor right away for a diagnosis.
Need help? Talk to Our Neurologist
Get the Most Effective Neurological Treatment in India by Consulting Dr. Eshan Nerkar, One of the Top Neurologists in Nashik.
Tests used to confirm brain tumour
There is no one test that can definitively diagnose a brain tumour. Instead, doctors will use a combination of medical history, physical examination, neurological examination and imaging tests to make a diagnosis.
- Medical history and physical examination –
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. They will also perform a physical examination to look for signs of a brain tumour.
- Neurological examination –
A neurological examination assesses your mental status, cranial nerves, motor function, strength, sensation and reflexes. This can help your doctor identify which area of the brain is affected by the tumour.
- Imaging tests –
Imaging tests allow doctors to take pictures of the inside of your body without making any incisions. These tests can be used to rule out other conditions and help determine the size and location of a brain tumour.
Also Read – How to identify brain tumor Headaches?
Some common imaging tests used to diagnose a brain tumour include:
- CT scan –
Uses X-rays to create detailed images of the brain - MRI –
Uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the brain - Angiogram –
Injects dye into the blood vessels leading to the brain so that they can be seen more clearly on an X-ray - PET scan –
Uses a small amount of radioactive material to produce images of brain activity - Biopsy –
Involves removing a small sample of tissue from the brain for further testing
Your doctor will order imaging tests based on your specific symptoms and medical history.
- Book An Appointment
About Author
Dr. Eshan Nerkar
Neurologist And Neurosuegeon
Dr. Eshan Nerkar, Consultant Brain & Spine Surgeon in Nashik specializes in Spine Surgery. He practices at AXON Brain & Spine Clinic. He is one of the best neurosurgeons in Nashik with more than 10 years of experience. He has performed more than 1000 surgeries related to brain and spinal surgery procedures.
Pingback: Stages of Brain Tumour | When to See Doctor | Dr. Eshan Nerkar