Headaches are a frequent everyday complaint with various triggers, from lack of hydration to stress. Yet certain headaches can be attributed to pressure within the skull caused by a brain tumour.

Headaches are a common issue with numerous origins, ranging from dehydration to stress. However, some headaches may stem from elevated intracranial pressure due to a brain tumor.

Headaches

Identifying a brain tumor early can lead to more treatment options, but its vague symptoms are often mistaken for other less serious conditions. Experts at the Brain Tumour Charity emphasize the differences between typical issues and early signs of a brain tumor, which can include symptoms seemingly unrelated to the brain.

Symptoms of a brain tumor often develop gradually and become more severe over time. According to the charity’s experts, these headaches might feel unlike normal ones.

Nausea or vomiting

Headaches associated with brain tumors generally do not respond to pain relief medications and may become more intense in the morning or during activities like straining, coughing, or leaning forward.

Physical issues

Experiencing nausea, particularly in the morning without a clear reason, could suggest increased brain pressure, possibly accompanied by dizziness.

Brain tumors can also affect physical mobility, manifesting as weakness, numbness, or a tingling sensation on one side of the body, or causing issues with balance and coordination.

Speech and vision problems

Difficulty finding the right words, slurred speech or trouble understanding language can be connected to a brain tumour, according to the charity.

Vision problems can also indicate a brain tumour, including blurred or double vision, a greying sensation when standing up, or loss of sight in part of your visual field.

Additional common symptoms of a brain tumour include fatigue and changes in cognitive function or personality, such as memory difficulties. Seizures may also signal a neurological condition.

The charity stresses: “If you’re experiencing symptoms that concern you, it’s important not to panic. Many of these symptoms can be caused by less serious conditions.

“But, if they carry on, change, or get worse, make an appointment with your doctor. Diagnosing a brain tumour early might make a difference in treatment options and outcomes.”

If you have specific concerns about a brain tumour, it may be worthwhile raising this directly with your GP. Research from the Improving Brain Tumour Care survey revealed that 41% of respondents had to visit their doctor three or more times before receiving a diagnosis, due to the non-specific nature of brain tumour symptoms.

Meanwhile, if you’re awaiting a GP appointment, you could arrange an eye test, as opticians can sometimes detect signs of brain tumours by observing pressure on the optic nerve or swelling of the optic disc. However, this isn’t a standard diagnostic pathway.