Having Frequent Headaches? Could be a Sign of Brain Tumour

When headaches occur frequently and worsen over time, it's natural to be concerned about potential early signs of brain tumour. While recurrent headaches, which might be one cause of everyday headaches, can indeed be a potential indicator of a brain tumour, it's crucial to understand that these brain tumour headaches exhibit distinct patterns. Moreover, understanding the reason for frequent headaches can be crucial, especially when their severity and frequency undergoes significant changes.

What are Frequent Headaches? If someone has a headache for 15 days or more per month, and the condition continues for over 3 months, it is classified as chronic or frequent headache. Such headaches, whether mild or more severe, can significantly disrupt one’s daily life. Chronic daily headache encompasses various headache types that occur daily, including: Tension Headache: This type of headache feels like a tight band encircling your head. Migraine Attacks: These are intense, throbbing headaches that can affect one or both sides of the head. They may be accompanied by symptoms known as an “aura.” Cluster Headache: Cluster headaches come and go over weeks or months, causing severe pain typically on one side of the head, often centred around or behind one eye. Hemicrania Continua: Hemicrania continua is a constant, daily headache on one side of the head and may resemble a migraine. New Daily Persistent Headache: This type involves sudden onset of daily headache pain that persists for months without relief.

Understanding Brain Tumours

Brain tumours, or neoplasms, are abnormal masses or growths of cells within the brain. Broadly, there are two types of brain tumours: Benign Tumours: These are non-cancerous growths that typically develop slowly and rarely invade nearby brain tissue. While benign tumours are generally less aggressive, they can still cause issues if they pressure the surrounding brain structures. Malignant Tumours: These are aggressive growths of cells, which can invade and damage the surrounding brain tissue. Malignant tumours are more likely to progress into cancer and can be life-threatening.

Brain tumours are further classified based on their origin: Primary Tumours: These tumours originate within the brain itself. They can arise from various types of brain cells and tissues. Secondary Tumours (Metastatic Tumours): Secondary tumours begin elsewhere in the body and then spread to the brain. These are not considered primary brain tumours, but result from cancer that has metastasized or spread to the brain from another part of the body. Regardless of their type or origin, brain tumours can disrupt normal brain function and significantly impact a person's health and well-being.

What Kind of Headache do Brain Tumours Cause?

A headache associated with a brain tumour is not an ordinary headache. It arises due to the growth's pressure on surrounding brain tissue and the subsequent disruption of normal cerebral function. The specifics can vary among individuals, but several common characteristics are often reported. Nature of Pain: Depending on the tumour's location and size, these headaches can be dull and persistent or sharp and throbbing. For example, a tumour near the brain's surface might cause pain that feels like a tight band around the head. At the same time, one located deeper could result in a more generalised pain. Morning Pronounced: As the body rests during sleep, there's reduced resorption of cerebrospinal fluid, leading to its accumulation. Consequently, individuals with brain tumours often report that their headaches are particularly intense upon waking, with a gradual decrease in severity as the day progresses. Activity-induced Aggravation: Any activity that increases the intracranial pressure can exacerbate the headaches. Routine actions such as bending over, lifting heavy objects, sneezing, or even coughing can cause a sudden spike in pain. Resistance to Over-the-counter (OTC) Medications: The headaches' resilience is another distinguishing feature. Unlike conventional headaches that often subside with OTC pain relievers, brain tumour-induced headaches tend to be more stubborn, offering little to no relief with common medications. Duration and Persistence: While normal headaches might last a few hours and dissipate, those stemming from brain tumours can persist for days. They can be continuous or intermittent, but are frequently reported as relentless, overshadowing other daily activities and affecting quality of life. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional, who can determine the best headache treatment strategy for the specific symptoms and causes.