From blurred vision to forgetfulness – the 5 strange signs of a brain tumour you must know
BRAIN tumours can cause a host of different symptoms, depending on their position.
Most commonly, you might experience headaches, sickness, or seizures if you have one.
Each year around 12,300 cases of brain cancer are diagnosed in the UK, Cancer Research UK states, and these present in the form of a brain tumour.
The symptoms can often be mistaken for something less serious, like headaches.
But experts say there are some odd signs that you must be aware of.
1. Blurred vision
If you have a brain tumour, you might find that your eyesight is getting worse or that glasses aren't helping.
"You might lose the ability to see out of the corner of your eyes, making you bump into cars or objects on your left or right side," guidance from Cancer Research UK states.
You could also struggle with blurred vision, floating shapes and tunnel vision, the experts said.
2. Forgetfulness
One other thing to look out for, the guidance states, is changes in personality.
You or those around you might notice that you have become confused or you may struggle to think normally.
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The Brain Tumour Charity states that forgetfulness is most likely to be experienced if the tumour is in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain, where your memories are stored.
Experts state that these symptoms could come and go, before getting worse.
3. Voices in your head
Experts at said that there is one symptom that you can hear.
This would be due to a temporal lobe tumour, which the experts said may cause you to hear voices in your head.
They added that you might also suffer from short term memory loss and difficulty hearing and speaking.
4. Loss of interest
Around one in three people who have a brain tumour will experience some type of personality change, according to the Brain Tumour Charity.
Director of policy, research and innovation at Brain Tumour Research, Dr Karen Noble, said: "Brain tumours near the pituitary gland can cause some of the most surprising symptoms, such as extreme changes to personality, weight and physical size, or delays to puberty.
"This is due to the tumour affecting the levels of hormones the gland produces."
These personality changes could lead people to losing interest in things they once enjoyed doing.
5. Growth spurts
As highlighted by Dr Noble, tumours can affect the pituitary gland which can in some rare cases, cause growth spurts in adults and children.
The affected glands can make hormones, with this production leading to growth spurts.
While these are the odder symptoms of the illness, experts at Cancer Research state that a headache is one of the most common signs to look out for.
They added that if you have headaches combined with feeling of being sick, that wake you up in the night or if you have eye issues such as flashing lights or blind spots - then you should see your GP.
If you didn't have headaches before and if they have become steadily worse over a period of weeks and months then you should also visit your doctor.
Figures from the charity show that seizures or fits occur in eight out of every ten people who have a brain tumour.
Guidance states: "You might have some jerking or twitching of your hands, arms or legs. Or your seizure might affect your whole body.
"Having a seizure is very frightening. Different illnesses can cause seizures and it is important that you see your doctor immediately or go to A&E if you have one."
Sickness that comes on when you move suddenly is another sign to look out for.
However, it's unlikely that this will be your only symptom, and this will usually go hand-in-hand with headaches, weakness and problems with your eyes.
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It's important that if you are worried about any of your symptoms, then you see your GP.
In the event of an emergency, always call 999.