“Brain tumor” is a scary phrase, and although they’re quite rare, any suspicion you might have one can be a distressing feeling. However, it’s important to understand that many symptoms associated with brain tumors could also indicate far less serious issues. At the same time, you don’t want to ignore potential brain-tumor symptoms. It can be difficult to achieve the proper balance between concern and skepticism, so we designed this general guide can help ease your mind—both by informing you of what to look out for and letting you know what is and isn’t normal.

There are several types of brain tumors, some benign (noncancerous) and others malignant (cancerous). Brain tumors at different locations may have varying symptoms, but there tend to be some general commonalities. The brain is incredibly complex, and a tumor applying pressure to any part of it can have various unpredictable results. Thus, if your neurosurgeon has concluded that it’s necessary, it’s imperative to perform brain-tumor surgery as early as possible. Here are some of the main ways that a tumor on the brain might affect a person:

• Headaches – If you’re experiencing frequent headaches, the chances that they’re caused by a brain tumor are quite small. However, while this extremely common issue is rarely a sign of anything life-threatening, it’s important to see a doctor if you have any suspicion that you may be experiencing headaches more often or intensely than normal. 
• Seizures – Seizures can have any number of causes, but a brain tumor is one potential culprit. No matter what the cause may be, its crucial to see a doctor as soon as possible if you experience seizures of any magnitude or type.
• Changes in speech, hearing, vision, balance, or other sensory functions – A brain tumor can press against or otherwise affect areas of the brain that facilitate certain senses. The result can be impairment of or drastic change in these senses, as well as neurological issues such as numbness or tingling in the arms or legs. Like many symptoms of a brain tumor, these indicators can also be triggered by traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Cognition problems – Depending on its location, a brain tumor can impede parts of the brain associated with motor functions, memory, ability to focus and understand, etc. If you think you may be experiencing cognitive impairment or decline, see a doctor as soon as possible. 
• Personality changes – This one is a surprise to many. Sometimes, a brain tumor can cause a person’s temperament or seemingly entire personality to undergo shifts. These changes can be subtle, drastic, bizarre, mundane—the important thing to remember is that unexplained personality changes needed to be inspected as soon as possible.

These are just a few of the general effects a brain tumor might have. If you think any of the above symptoms might apply to you or a loved one, we urge you or them to see us or your primary care doctor for a thorough examination as soon as possible. At the very least, doing so may give you peace of mind. Once again, we’d like to stress three things: none of these symptoms is anywhere close to 100% indicative of a brain tumor, brain tumors don’t necessarily have these symptoms, and these symptoms can be triggered by other issues (such as TBI). But when in doubt, it’s best to verify the potential causes with a medical professional who has experience diagnosing brain disorders.

If you’ve received a diagnosis for a spinal or brain issue and would like a second opinion, or if you have any questions about the many procedures we perform, contact Georgia Brain & Spine at 1 (800) GO-SPINE today to schedule a free consultation. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates, and come back to the website soon for a new blog.