It is our brain that helps to carry out all the body functions. It goes unsaid that the brain plays a significant role in performing all the functions in our body. This is one main reason why any damage to the brain can be life-threatening. A brain tumour is one such problem, that can be very fatal if not diagnosed and treated properly. But to know about the symptoms of brain tumours and how can they be treated, let us first understand what exactly is a brain tumour and how is it caused?
What is a brain tumour and how is it caused?
We know that each second, thousands of cells are being born in our body and there are thousands of cells that die too. When the cells die, they are replaced by new cells and this is how a balance is maintained. But in a condition where excessive cells are formed, the balance gets disturbed. This abnormal cell division leads to tumour formation. This can take place in any part of the body. When the brain cells multiply abnormally, then tumours are formed in the brain that can block the blood flow in the nerves. It can also cause brain haemorrhage which is quite damaging. Brain haemorrhage surgery cost in India varies from 5000 USD to 7000 USD which is quite affordable. Though the situation can be managed it does not have a cure.
There can be several reasons or causes of brain tumours.
- Obesity: Obesity is the main cause of many problems. One such ailment is a brain tumour. Researches tell that obese people are at higher risks to get certain types of tumours than people who are fit.
- Exposure to radiations: Strong traditions like X rays, cell phone radiations, nuclear rays and rays from radiation therapy can also cause brain tumours.
- Hereditary: Sometimes brain tumours can also be inherited genetically. It means that these tumours can get passed from parents to their children. Though it happens rarely if you have a family history of brain tumours then your chances of getting a tumour increases.
- Exposure to harmful chemicals: When one is constantly exposed to an environment that contains harmful chemicals and gasses like tobacco smoke, cadmium and nickel compound the chances of developing a brain tumour increases.
- Consuming harmful foods and chemicals: Consumption of harmful food items like poisonous mushrooms and vegetables with pesticides can also cause brain tumours.
- Viruses: There are several viruses that can cause tumours in different parts of the body and brain. Viruses like Hepatitis B and C and EBV are some examples.
- There are two types of brain tumours –
Primary brain tumours: These tumours originate in the brain itself and can not spread anywhere else in the body. These are also known as benign brain tumours.
Secondary Brain tumours: These are cancerous brain tumours that get formed in different parts of the body and can spread to the brain as well. They are also known as Malignant brain tumours.
When a person has a brain tumour, there are some common symptoms that they tend to display regularly. These symptoms become visible when the tumour is big enough to block the blood flow in the nerves and put pressure on the brain tissues.
Some of the important symptoms are –
- Headache and vomiting early in the morning.
- Seizures and blurred vision.
- Feeling of loss of control and weakness on a part of the body or limb.
- Memory loss and confusion.
- Drooping eyelids and constant behavioural changes.
- Changes in the taste, smell and hearing.
- Shaking hands and feeling tingling on the side of your body.
These are the common symptoms that are experienced in all types of brain tumours. Apart from these symptoms, there are several other symptoms that are specific to the type of brain tumours like excessive body hair and lack of mensuration in women.
Treatments for Brain tumour:
Brain tumours when not taken care of can prove to be fatal. However, there are several treatments that can help a patient recover properly.
Surgery: Surgery is the easiest way to treat a brain tumour. It not only treats the brain tumour but has the least possible side effects too. In this type of treatment, the doctor tries to kill as many tumour cells as possible without damaging the healthy brain tissue. The rate of recovery is faster when the patient is treated with surgery. Brain tumour surgery cost in India is quite affordable as well. This is the main reason why India is known as one of the best places for medical tourism.
Radiation therapy: In this type of treatment, the tumour in the patient’s body is exposed to strong proton beams like X-rays. These rays kill the tumour cells. In radiation therapy, the patient has to be in proximity to these rays with only the tumour being exposed to the rays.
Chemotherapy: In this treatment, the patient is given certain drugs orally. These drugs are very strong and can cure the patient but, they have many side effects like hair loss, nausea and tiredness.
Targeted drug therapy: Targeted drug therapy works by blocking the tumour cells. This treatment helps to cure the cancerous tumours as once blocked, they get killed and the tumour stops growing.
Radiosurgery: In this type of treatment, a gamma knife or linear accelerator is used to target the tumour cells. A converged beam of radiations is thrown upon the tumour to destroy the cells. Radiosurgery can also have many harmful after effects.
