Headache World

The term brain tumor headache is, rather worryingly, exactly what it sounds like. Simply put, it is a headache that can present itself with other potentially confusing symptoms without necessarily hinting at any underlying problem or condition and in the very worst case scenario such a headache can signal a severe internal hemorrhage or brain tumor. Generally speaking it is thought that the site of the pain indicates the location of the tumor in such a headache.

The initial headache can present with other symptoms than can alert the well-informed sufferer and doctor to the possibility that the headache might be more than it appears to be. Additional symptoms that may accompany the headache are nausea and vomiting, which are common symptoms of injuries and diseases that result in increased intra-cranial pressure. It is the pressure caused by the brain tumor taking up the space normally occupied by the brain and the cerebrospinal fluid that causes the pressure in the brain cavity that results in the headache that the sufferer feels.

The pressure typically triggers the vomiting mechanism in the sufferer along with feelings of motion sickness and a generally disrupted sense of balance. Such symptoms should alert the sufferer to seek immediate medical attention as they could be an indication of either a brain tumor or even other serious conditions such as cranial hemorrhage or a stroke. While it is true that it is not likely that these are not the causes of most headaches it is still not unheard of and therefore a physician should be consulted for diagnosis immediately if you feel these conditions developing.

The pain felt during these headaches is usually caused by the arteries and nerves surrounding the inside of the skull, sinuses and around the scalp sending pain signals back the brain once they register increases in pressure or other negative stimuli. For this reason be careful not to associate these with sinus headaches which are caused by pressure being brought to bear on the local nerves by the inflamed sinuses. It is this pressure that can cause excruciating pain a sufferer feels between the eyes or throughout the face when afflicted and may have no connection at all to any internal ailment or trauma within the brain itself.

Similarly, a migraine headache presents as a crushing pain may travel from one side of the skull and all around to the other side. This can be caused by an increased flow of blood to the head which results in the disruption of blood vessels and nerves, resulting in an agonizing headache. While brain tumors are somewhat similar in mechanism they differ in the sense that they are the result of the tumor mass itself pushing down on the local nerves and blood vessels within the skull rather than benign internal arteries exerting pressure in a similar way.

Being careful to note these differences and respond appropriately with the proper medical treatment can mean the difference between life and death in some cases and should be taken quite seriously if you feel there is any real potential that a brain tumor might be developing.

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