Headache Updates

Sometimes, headache may indicate a rather serious underlying medical condition such as brain tumor. A brain tumor headache is a rare but a very serious form of headache. Here is all that you need to know about the problem.

Causes
People suffering from brain tumors deal with constant headaches as a result of Increased Intracranial Pressure also known as IICP. IICP primarily refers to increased pressure that is being exerted on the brain. This increase in pressure could be a result of mass, excessive fluids or brain swelling. The skull has only limited space so it can only accommodate a limited amount of fluid and the brain. Even a slight excess of anything could result in pressure, which causes headache.

Am I suffering from a brain tumor headache?
Like every other type of headache, a brain tumor headache too comes with a certain set of characteristics. These characteristics can help you identify whether or not you are suffering from a brain tumor headache.

Firstly, brain tumor headaches are accompanied with seizures, changes in vision or hearing. A person suffering from the problem may also experience cognitive decline and steady weakness of the arms and legs. While many people believe that a brain tumor headache usually occurs in the morning, this is not really the case. A brain tumor headache can occur anytime of the day.

Brain tumor headaches are thought to be debilitating and severe. However, they may not be as painful in each case. The pain may be dull, throbbing or aching. In most cases, the pain is severe enough to arouse one from sleep.

Further on, the frequency and intensity of brain tumor headaches tends to increase over the time. Eventually, it may also become difficult to treat the headache. Usually, brain tumor headaches worsen with a change in position or sneezing or coughing.

While these are some of the common characteristics of brain tumor headaches, they may vary from one person to another.

Consulting a doctor
Brain tumor is a condition that calls for immediate medical attention. However, it is important that you be prepared before you go and see a doctor. Maintain symptom journal, stating the symptoms you deal with, factors that trigger the headache, frequency of the headache, what makes them worse and the like. Acquainting your doctor with all these factors will simplify the process of diagnosing the problem. Also, make sure that you brief your doctor with your medical history.

While headaches do indicate the possibility of a brain tumor, make note that tumors are not a common problem. Studies indicate that tumors are a rare occurrence. So, if you have a throbbing headache, the chances of it being a brain tumor are significantly less.