Have you ever been stricken with a headache and worried that maybe it’s something more serious?
Though chances are your headache is just a headache, it’s good to know what the symptoms of a brain tumor are and what should prompt a visit to a knowledgeable provider. Fortunately, our team at Ventura Neurology in Ventura, California, is experienced with both diagnosing and treating brain tumors.
Dr. David Westra and Dr. Katherine Wagner create customized treatment plans for patients, whether they’ve been diagnosed with a primary brain tumor that starts in the brain or a secondary tumor that originates from a cancer in another part of the body.
Of the approximately 90,000 brain tumors that are diagnosed each year, 72% are benign, or noncancerous. However, there are increasingly sophisticated treatments for malignant brain tumors.
Although some signs of a brain tumor mimic other conditions, such as a headache or nausea and vomiting that would point to an illness like a stomach bug, others are more distinct and should be shared with a medical professional. These include:
Several symptoms that we commonly associate with stroke can also be signs of a brain tumor. Depending on which area of your brain it’s located in, you may experience:
The tumor’s location in your brain determines how these symptoms specifically manifest.
A brain tumor can cause you to become disoriented and forgetful, and can also impact concentration and focus.
Even marked personality changes can occur as a result of a brain tumor, such as the sudden onset of depression or anxiety, or acting in ways that aren’t typical.
Brain tumors can cause you to feel like the room is spinning (vertigo), as well as impact your balance, whether you have vertigo or not.
Persistent dizziness also puts you at risk for a fall and the injuries associated with it. These issues cause mobility difficulties and a range of coordination challenges.
When you experience recurrent nausea or bouts of vomiting that can’t be traced to stomach flu, food poisoning, or some other logical explanation, your symptoms may be linked to a brain tumor.
These symptoms, combined with headaches, make it even more likely that a brain tumor could be the cause.
If you aren’t living with undiagnosed or unmanaged epilepsy, it’s unusual to suffer a seizure. This could point to a brain tumor, but there isn’t just one type of seizure.
A seizure can cause uncontrollable jerky movements of your extremities, periods of staring and unresponsiveness, or convulsions.
If you experience a combination of these brain tumor symptoms — or even a single symptom that comes out of the blue and isn’t associated with another health condition (like paralysis or speech problems without suffering a stroke) — it’s critical to seek treatment.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a brain tumor, you should feel confident about entrusting your care to the Ventura Neurosurgery team. Our evidence-based knowledge, high level of expertise, and spirit of caring mean you’re in the best hands.
Your neurosurgeon carefully performs highly sophisticated surgery to remove your tumor safely, thanks to advanced surgical navigation systems that allow them to determine the exact location of your tumor. This technology allows your surgeon to remove the tumor successfully and preserve your unaffected tissue and neurological functioning.
Whether you suspect you’re experiencing brain tumor symptoms or you’ve gotten a definitive diagnosis, we’re here for you and committed to providing extraordinary treatment that’s centered around your needs.
Call our office at 805-590-4365 to schedule an appointment today, or reach out online anytime.
