Brain tumours are one of medicine’s most complex challenges. Silent, unpredictable, and often mistaken for everyday health complaints. Whether it begins in the brain itself or spreads from elsewhere in the body, a brain tumour can disrupt movement, memory, mood, and even personality. Here’s what you need to know.
What Causes a Brain Tumour?
At their core, brain tumours develop when the DNA inside brain cells becomes damaged and stops working as it should. Normally, the DNA tells cells when to grow, divide, and die. When those instructions break down, abnormal cells multiply rapidly and crowd out healthy brain tissue.
In some people, this genetic damage is inherited. In others, environmental factors do the damage, particularly exposure to ionizing radiation, including from CT scans, which may account for up to 4% of brain cancer cases. Other uncommon triggers include exposure to vinyl chloride, the Epstein Barr virus, and inherited conditions such as neurofibromatosis or tuberous sclerosis.
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Recognizing the symptoms:
- Headaches that are consistently worse in the morning or grow more frequent and severe over time
- Nausea and vomiting without an obvious cause
- Blurry or double vision, or loss of peripheral sight
- Weakness or numbness in one arm or leg
- Difficulty with speech or understanding language
- Unexplained seizures, especially with no prior history
- Memory problems or confusion in everyday tasks
- Personality or behaviour changes that feel out of character
- Trouble with balance or difficulty walking
- Persistent fatigue or extreme tiredness
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Hearing problems
Can Brain Tumours Be Prevented?
There is no cure for the diseases but one’s life style matter in lowering the risk of the disease. Avoiding smoking and unnecessary radiation exposure can lower your risk. Early detection will have a significant impact in lowering the risk. So, know your symptoms and act accordingly.
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