Ordinary headaches — migraine or tension-type headache — are very common. But the first symptom of a brain tumor can also be a headache. In this video Prof. Dr. A. F. M. Momtazul Haque explains how to tell them apart.
Features of a tumor headache
- It is usually worse in the morning
- It comes with nausea or vomiting
- There may be problems with vision
- Other brain functions may be affected: weakness of one side of the body, reduced eyesight, difficulty eating or swallowing, a twisted face, poor memory, or difficulty walking
These happen when the tumor involves or presses on the cranial nerves. If a headache comes with any of these signs, it should no longer be treated as an ordinary headache.
Children: watch for vomiting
Tumors in children take longer to diagnose because a child cannot describe a headache or blurred vision. Often the only symptom is vomiting. Anti-vomiting medicine is given, but the vomiting does not stop. If this continues for two or three months, a brain MRI or CT scan should be done. The doctor has seen children whose only symptom was vomiting and who turned out to have a tumor in the posterior fossa (the back of the brain).
Adults: the red flags
Headache with vomiting, seizures, one-sided weakness, difficulty seeing or loss of function of a nerve means it is time to investigate.
The test: a good-quality MRI
The first investigation is an MRI, now available in every district town (and certainly in every divisional city). It should be a good-quality scanner of at least 1.5 Tesla — that one test is enough to diagnose the problem and plan neurosurgical treatment.
This article is for general awareness only; it is not a substitute for direct medical advice.
