Headaches are one of the common symptoms experienced in daily life, usually caused by stress, fatigue, or tension. However, they can sometimes indicate serious health conditions, including brain tumors. What are the medical differences between typical headaches and headaches caused by cancer?

 

◇Persistent and gradually worsening pain

 

Common headaches are caused by structural issues such as blood vessels, muscles, or nerves, and typically appear temporarily over a few hours to a day. American neurologist Dr. Vivian Chen said, "If a headache persists for several days or weeks and worsens over time, you should suspect a brain tumor."

 

Brain tumors refer to cancers that develop in the brain and surrounding structures within the skull. As the tumor gradually grows inside the skull, intracranial pressure increases, leading to headaches. This results in a pattern of persistent worsening headaches. In particular, headaches caused by brain tumors are more prominent in the morning. Due to increased intracranial pressure, breathing becomes difficult during sleep, which worsens the headaches.

◇Accompanied by various neurological symptoms

 

While common headaches are accompanied by mild symptoms such as dizziness and eye strain, brain tumors are associated with various neurological symptoms in addition to headaches. This is because the tumor compresses areas of the brain responsible for neurological functions. If symptoms such as vomiting, visual disturbances (such as blurred vision or objects appearing differently in each eye), speech difficulties, gait disturbances, delusions, or seizures occur alongside headaches, brain tumor should be suspected.

 

Other warning signs to be aware of

 

Although rare, hearing loss symptoms should also be watched for. A study from Seoul Boramae Medical Center found that 83.6% of patients diagnosed with a type of brain tumor called temporal bone meningioma experienced hearing impairment, with symptoms such as tinnitus, a feeling of fullness in the ears, and ear discharge.

 

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Last year, due to a headache, at a university hospital

You even received a detailed examination.

If the pain continues, definitely go to a larger hospital.

It's good to get tested.