What Are The Causes and Symptoms of Brain Tumors?

A brain tumor develops when your body grows abnormal brain cells that multiply faster than usual. It happens when certain genes on the chromosomes of cells are damaged and can’t function properly, which leads to the mass growth of abnormal cells that take up space in the brain. The symptoms of brain tumors may vary depending on the size, location, and type of tumor. 

Did you know that the incidence rates for all primary brain tumors are higher in females (58%) than in males (42%)? Approximately 71% of brain tumors are benign (non-cancerous), and 29% are malignant (cancerous).

Symptoms of Brain Tumors

If the tumor is very small, some people experience no symptoms at all. As mentioned earlier, the signs and symptoms of a brain tumor depend entirely on the tumor size, location, and growth rate. 

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The general symptoms of a brain tumor in adults are:

• Severe headaches in the morning or middle of the night

• Sudden nausea and vomiting

• Seizures

• Vision and hearing issues

• No sensation in one side of the body

• Difficulty in speaking 

• Facial numbness

• Dizziness

• Difficulty with balancing

• Change in behavior

• Confusion in following simple commands

What are the General Causes of Brain Tumors?

Many different kinds of brain tumors exist, but the primary cause is the change (mutations) in the DNA of normal cells. This mutation tells the cells to grow and spread rapidly and to continue living when healthy cells would die. These abundant abnormal cells form a tumor. 

This is known as a primary brain tumor that originates in the brain itself. Secondary brain tumors are those in which cancer develops in another part of the body and spreads to the brain. In adults, primary brain tumors are less common than secondary brain tumors. 

Is It Brain Tumor or Migraine?

Sometimes, people might get confused between brain tumors and migraine because of similar symptoms. A headache is not always a brain tumor symptom. 

Signs that a headache could be a brain tumor symptom include,

• Severe headaches that increase over time

• Headaches that generally occur in the morning

• Severe headaches that wake a person from sleep

• Constant headache episodes

Signs that a headache may be caused by migraine or tension:

• Sensitivity to light and sound

• Nausea

• A vibrating sensation on one side of the head

• A headache that can last from 4 hours to a few days

It is vital to understand the primary difference in signs and symptoms of brain tumors and migraine. Keeping track of time and how frequently symptoms occur can also help to prevent brain tumor growth.

Can Brain Tumors Be Prevented?

You can not prevent a brain tumor, but you can reduce its risk of developing through certain changes in your lifestyle. By quitting smoking and avoiding radiation exposure, one can protect themselves from making things worse. 

Takeaway

It is better to consult an expert as early as possible if you’ve been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Make sure to ask every possible question that will help you throughout your treatment and help you to improve the quality of your life.