Everyone gets a headache every now and then, while some people suffer from migraines more regularly. Most headaches will disappear on their own and are not a sign of anything serious – they can usually be treated with paracetamol or ibuprofen, keeping hydrated and getting lots of rest. However, in some cases headaches can be a sign of a brain tumour, so if you experience them regularly, it’s essential to get them checked out. Brain tumours can be both cancerous and non-cancerous, but both need urgent medical attention.
Cancerous brain tumours are known as malignant brain tumours, or brain cancer.
Symptoms of brain cancer include headaches, fits, regularly feeling sick or vomiting, memory problems or changes in personality and weakness, vision or speech problems that get worse.
Headaches associated with brain cancer are often worse in the morning and when coughing or straining, according to the NHS.
“See a GP if you have symptoms of a brain tumour that don’t go away. It’s unlikely to be a tumour, but it’s best to be sure,” said the NHS.
Brain cancer can often be cured if caught early on, but tumours often come back and sometimes they are impossible to be removed.
Non-cancerous brain tumours are known as benign brain tumours.
This type of brain tumour tends to grow relatively slowly, compared with brain cancer which grows more quickly.
Unlike brain cancer, non-cancerous brain tumours tend to stay in one place and don’t spread.
They also won’t usually come back if all of the tumour can be safely removed during surgery.
Symptoms of non-cancerous brain tumours are similar to those of brain cancer.
They include: new, persistent headaches, seizures, persistent nausea, vomiting and drowsiness, mental or behavioural changes, and weakness, paralysis, vision or speech problems.
While benign brain tumours aren’t cancerous, they are still serious and can be life-threatening, so it’s vital to get them treated.
Cancer Research UK notes it is unlikely you have a brain tumour if a headache is your only symptom.
However, you should see a doctor if you have very bad headaches, if you are having them more and more often, if you have headaches when you didn’t have them before, and if you have headaches and sickness together.
“Your skull is made of bone, so there’s a fixed amount of space for the brain to take up. If there’s a growing tumour it raises the pressure inside the skull,” said the cancer charity.
Anything that increases the pressure in the head can make headaches worse, such as sneezing or coughing, bending over, exercising or shouting.