Warning signs of brain tumors
Dropping things easily or not being able to tie your shoes as well as before is a warning sign that your brain has a problem.
According to the National Cancer Society, there are more than 120 types of brain and central nervous system tumors, ranging from benign to malignant. Meningiomas are usually benign, and patients can return to normal life after treatment. Meanwhile, glioblastoma, the disease that the late Senator John McCain suffered from, is the most common and malignant form of brain cancer. Patients survive only about 15 months after being diagnosed.
The main treatments for brain tumors are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Patients with glioblastoma may also benefit from an Optune device that delivers electricity to the brain.
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There is currently no way to reduce the risk of brain tumors. However, the disease can be detected early through the following warning signs:
Frequent headaches
Headaches that increase in frequency and intensity, along with nausea, are common signs of a brain tumor. If they persist for a long time, it means that the brain is under pressure from within as something grows.
Headaches that indicate a brain tumor are often worse in the morning. Sometimes, you may notice one area of the brain hurts more than another.
Having problems with balance, numbness in limbs
Sudden difficulty in moving and feeling different in your limbs when moving is a warning sign. If you tend to drop things or can't tie your shoes or button your shirt as well as you used to, see a doctor for a brain scan.
Vision loss
Brain tumors can cause vision problems such as blurred vision, double vision (seeing two images of the same object), sensitivity to light, and frequent blinking. The cause is that the tumor puts pressure on the optic nerve. In severe cases, the patient may only see black spots.
Epileptic
Not all seizures originate from a brain tumor, but a brain tumor can certainly cause seizures.
Prone to confusion and mental changes
Brain tumor patients exhibit unusual behaviors that family and relatives can recognize, such as forgetting to turn off the stove even though they never forgot before, or getting lost on familiar roads.
In addition, brain tumors can cause personality changes in patients. For example, they suddenly become aggressive and negative, even though they were previously gentle and cheerful.
