Hidden dangers: How to recognize the subtle signs of a brain tumour
A brain tumour often develops surreptitiously without showing any symptoms for an extended period. Sometimes it gives misleading signals, which, unfortunately, are often ignored. See what symptoms may indicate the development of this serious disease.
Cancer is a severe health problem that can affect almost any part of the body. Factors such as age, gender, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, genetics, type of work performed, or other diseases can influence the development of cancer cells in the body.
Such pathological changes can cause various symptoms or remain invisible for some time, making diagnosis difficult for specialists.
A brain tumour is one of the most dangerous cancers because it often gives atypical symptoms. Symptoms depend on the type of tumour and its location. For example, a headache is one of the first symptoms that many people ignore.
First symptom of a brain tumour. Better see a doctor
If a headache does not subside despite taking painkillers and becomes increasingly troublesome, you should immediately consult a doctor. Patients with brain cancer may also experience vomiting, nausea, and mental disorders.
Frequent epileptic seizures, accompanied by loss of consciousness, can also indicate the presence of a brain tumour. Other symptoms include depression, dementia, apathy, excessive sexual drive, or unexpected outbursts of aggression.
More specific symptoms include alien hand syndrome. People with this symptom unconsciously make complex or unnatural hand movements.
Other possible symptoms include uncontrollable muscle spasms throughout the body or sensory and vision disorders resulting from nerve damage. Patients may also experience balance problems and difficulty forming logical sentences.
If the tumour develops in the parietal lobe, the patient may lose sensation on the side of the body opposite to the brain hemisphere attacked by the cancer. Conversely, a tumour in the brain stem manifests by drooping and uncontrollable eyelid tremors.
It is important not to ignore troubling symptoms. Remember that in the case of many cancers, time is of the essence, and early diagnosis gives a better chance of recovery.
