9 Symptoms of a brain tumor that you should be aware of. anything?

Brain tumor is a health problem that attacks the brain and is quite serious. However, the symptoms of a brain tumor look a lot like any other everyday illness. Actually, what are the symptoms of a brain tumor and how to differentiate it from other conditions?

Symptoms of a brain tumor to watch out for

1. Headache

You may find it difficult to tell the difference between a brain tumor headache and a regular headache. In addition, the patient may feel pain differently. However, the headaches that are symptoms of a brain tumor are usually persistent and get worse in the morning and at night.

Not only that, the head felt like it was being pressed and stabbed. The pain can arise in certain areas or even in all parts of the head. In fact, this pain can get worse when coughing or sneezing.

Brain tumors can cause headaches because they increase the pressure inside the skull and cause stretching of the dura, the membrane that protects the brain and spinal cord. This of course causes pain, because the dura has sensory nerve endings.

Initially, headaches caused by brain tumors may be relieved by taking headache medication that is purchased over the counter at a pharmacy. However, over time, the usual headache medication may not work to relieve the pain.

2. Nausea vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are common conditions that can be experienced by anyone at any time. This means that when you feel nauseous and vomiting, it doesn't mean you have a brain tumor. Then, what are the characteristics of nausea and vomiting as symptoms of tumors in the brain?

When the brain tumor grows bigger and takes over the spaces in the head, there will be pressure inside the skull which can cause nausea. However, altered hormone levels due to tumors can also cause nausea.

This condition can also appear when a tumor forms in one particular area of the head. For example the cerebellum, the part of the brain that regulates balance. If the tumor presses on the cerebellum, nausea and dizziness will occur. Likewise, when the tumor presses on the brain stem, it can cause a shadowy vision, causing nausea.

There are several things that must be considered from the nausea and vomiting experienced to determine whether this is a symptom of a brain tumor. Among them:

Is the nausea and vomiting persistent for a week or more?
Does nausea and vomiting get worse in the morning?
Do mulching and vomiting get worse when you are lying down?
Does nausea and vomiting get worse when you suddenly change positions?

If the answers to the questions above are "yes", it is better to check with a doctor, because this refers to symptoms of a brain tumor.

3. Blurred vision

Blurred vision, double vision, and gradual loss of vision have been linked to tumors in the brain. However, given that brain tumors are classified as rare, the symptoms that appear may not be a feature of this condition.

Changes in the patient's vision may occur because the optic disk, which is located at the back of the head, swells. This can be caused by increased pressure on the skull. In fact, this optic disc is a point on the retina through which the optic nerve enters the eye through the brain.

Swelling of the optic disc can be caused by several conditions, but if the cause is pressure inside the skull, it is called papiloedema. The occurrence of papiloedema depends on the location and size of the tumor.

4. Seizures

Seizures are often one of the first symptoms of a brain tumor to appear, especially if you have no previous history of the condition.

According to Northwestern Medicine, some of the patients with brain tumors get their first diagnosis on brain scans after having their first seizure.

Seizures are the most common symptom of a brain tumor. In fact, almost all brain tumor patients experience at least one seizure. Even so, it's still uncertain how brain tumors cause seizures.

5. Losing the ability to control yourself

As with the symptoms of a stroke, a symptom of a brain tumor that also needs to be watched out for is the loss of the ability to control oneself, so that there are often problems in maintaining balance. For example, it is easier to trip, fall, and other balance problems.

This condition may occur because the tumor can invade areas of the brain responsible for controlling motor functions, including balance, coordination, and body movement. Usually, this condition will occur gradually.

Not only that, another symptom of a brain tumor that needs to be considered is the possibility of loss of sensation in the hands or feet. Then, weakness in the facial muscles, such as difficulty controlling facial expressions, speech problems, and swallowing can also occur.

For a long period of time, the patient may experience numbness in certain parts of the body or, to a severe degree, paralysis. However, usually, this symptom begins with a tingling sensation.

6. It's easy to forget

In fact, often forgetting something is a very normal thing that can happen to anyone. However, when this habit of forgetting gets worse and causes a person to lose memory, this could be a sign of a brain tumor.

The condition may look the same as with Alzheimer's sufferers. From the outside, the patient will probably look fine. However, these symptoms will be very visible when the patient is invited to communicate. Yes, tumors in the brain can cause a person to lose intellectual, cognitive and emotional abilities.

7. Difficulty speaking

Tumors can also interfere with a person's ability to communicate with others, not only physically but also mentally. This condition can make it difficult for people to pronounce various words and sentences that usually slide off the patient's lips so easily.

In fact, when a patient is trying to respond to what other people say to him, he may have difficulty finding the right words to represent what he feels.

Not to mention, brain tumors can also make it difficult for patients to understand what other people are saying to them, so they are unable to respond.

Apart from communicating, the patient may gradually lose his / her ability to read and write.

8. Changes in attitude and behavior

The brain governs who we are, how we feel, and what we think. Therefore, the presence of a tumor in the brain has the potential to change the attitude or personality of a person who experiences it.

Attitude changes that may be a symptom of a brain tumor include:

Become more irritable and emotional.
Often feel confused and easily forget.
Losing interest in many things.
Depression.
It's easy to feel anxious.
Extreme mood swings.
Difficulty in making decisions.
Difficulty understanding feelings for yourself and others.

9. Hearing problems

Brain tumors can suppress the balance nerves that regulate body balance and hearing. Therefore, brain tumors can also be indicated by symptoms of hearing loss, such as: