The brain is among the most delicate and critical parts of the body. It is accountable for controlling all of the body’s functions, processes, and movements. So, a brain tumor is one of the most dreaded and life-threatening conditions. Naturally, how to detect brain tumor at home is a recurring question people ask their healthcare professionals.
 
So, how do you know you have brain tumor? What are the common signs? Is it really possible to figure out on your own if you have brain tumor? This article will answer all these questions and also suggest the best treatment options. 

What Are Brain Tumors?

The anatomy of the human brain is beautifully complex, and each part of the brain performs an important function. Brain tumors may develop in any locations on a person’s brain and the skull. Sometimes, tumors appear in the skull base, the protective lining, the nasal cavity, the brainstem, the sinuses, and many more. 
 
Brain tumors are of various sizes and shapes, depending on from which tissue they arise. But how to detect brain tumor at home? Keep reading the article till the end to learn all about home detection of brain tumor.

How to Detect Brain Tumor at Home

Without proper diagnosis done by trained medical professionals, it is impossible to say with certainty that a person has brain tumor. However, when there’s a tumor developing in the brain, signal transmission from/ to the brain to/ from other body parts will be disrupted. This will obviously lead to unusual behavioral patterns. Several warning signs will be there, indicating that something is wrong with the body. Identifying these signs is an easy way to determine if a person is suffering from a tumor in their brain. 
 
Following are some of the signs of brain tumor by which we can determine from home that one is suffering from a brain tumor:
 

1. Memory loss and thinking issues:- 

Forgetfulness at times is not something to worry about. However, it cannot be dismissed when it occurs regularly. Loss of memory is a major sign of common types of brain tumors and therefore, don’t neglect it. 

2. Unusual headaches:- 

Experiencing headaches occasionally due to stress, lack of sleep, indigestion, or over-intake of caffeine is quite normal. But if an individual has a brain tumor, the headaches won’t be so mild. They are likely to experience chronic headaches and sometimes, the pain can be excruciating. This is not one of the early signs and generally occurs as the tumor starts getting bigger in size.

3. Seizures:- 

Also known as brain freeze, seizures are among the early indicators of brain tumor – both cancerous and non-cancerous. This happens due to the growth of a tumor in the brain which irritates the neurons, and this explains the abnormal movements of different body parts like legs and arms. If you have been experiencing seizures, it can happen to a specific body part of the whole body.

Besides headaches and seizures, other symptoms will also appear when the condition worsens. These include: 

  • blurry vision
  • personality changes
  • problems with coordination or balance
  • cognitive issues 
  • vomiting or nausea
  • drowsiness/ fatigue 

Treatment 

Now that we have discussed the symptoms of a brain tumor, the next important question is: when to see a doctor for brain tumor?

The answer is simple. Treatment for brain tumor is complex and the sooner it begins, the better. So, if you fear that the symptoms you have been noticing can be linked to a brain tumor, go to a brain and spinal cord doctor immediately.

Physicians rely on multiple diagnostic methods like magnetic resonance imagining, CT scans, ECG of the scalp, and other neurological tests. If a tumor is found in the brain, the doctor suggests a biopsy to know the type of tumor – benign or malignant. Based on that, the course of treatment is decided. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery are some of the treatment preferences.

The Takeaway 

 So, that was all about self-assessment for brain tumors.

We conclude by saying that recognizing brain tumor signs is not that simple as the symptoms of brain tumor mentioned above are common to several other diseases. Hence, the best thing to do is whenever your body shows some unusual/ abnormal signs, book an appointment with an accomplished healthcare provider and get yourself thoroughly examined.  

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. What are the early signs of a brain tumor that can be detected at home?

Brain tumor symptoms depend on the location, type, and size of tumor. However, some of the early signs of brain tumor can be seizures, aphasia, vomiting, vision problems, difficulty concentrating, and personality changes.

Q. Can a brain tumor be accurately diagnosed without medical equipment?

While there are some common symptoms of secondary and primary brain tumors, for accurate diagnosis of the type of brain tumor and its size, medical equipment is necessary. 

References:

Association of migraines with brain tumors: a nationwide population-based study – PMC (nih.gov)

Signs and Symptoms of Adult Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors | American Cancer Society