Headaches are one of the most common ailments among Brits, with around 10 million suffering from severe attacks called migraines.
Most cases are harmless. But for some, they are the first sign of a deadly brain tumor.
Now, a leading pediatric doctor has taken to social media to reveal little-known signs that something sinister is behind severe headaches.
Dr. Meghan Martin has warned parents and patients to be on the lookout for the combination of “red flag” and “double red flag” symptoms.
First of all, the timing of the headache is important.
“If the headache is worse in the morning, that’s a red flag,” she told her 1.6 million Instagram followers, adding that it’s especially worrying if the headache occurs every day.
Secondly, watch out for nausea and vomiting along with headaches.
Dr Martin said: “Nausea and vomiting are very common in viral illnesses, but if they are persistent, something to think about is whether there is something in the head that is increasing the pressure causing the symptoms.”
“It’s a double red flag if a child wakes up in the morning and has a headache associated with vomiting and it has been persisting for a couple of days or more.”
Brain tumor headaches are caused by a buildup of pressure in the brain that usually results from the tumor pressing on blood vessels and nerves, according to The Brain Tumor Charity.
Every year, around 12,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumor, including 500 children and young people.
In the video, Dr. Martin says she diagnoses three children with this condition each year, out of the “hundreds” she sees struggling with headaches.
However, about three-quarters of all brain tumors are noncancerous, meaning they do not spread to other parts of the body and are usually not fatal.
But for patients with malignant growths, the chance of surviving more than five years after diagnosis is only 12 percent.
Dr. Martin He also listed some other warning signs of brain tumors.
Being more tired than normal is one of them, but it is usually only a problem if it is persistent and accompanied by other symptoms, he emphasized.
Another warning sign is hearing, vision, or speech problems.
A brain tumor can cause blurred or double vision, abnormal eye movements or squinting, according to Cancer Research UK.
Dr. Martin said children can develop coordination and strength problems.
For example, walking may become more difficult or a toddler may have difficulty sitting up.
She said: “Balance problems are another big red flag and it’s not the child who has been clumsy all their life.”
“It’s the kid who suddenly wobbles, looking like he’s walking drunk through a wide door and really struggling to move.”
It goes on to list other signs such as personality changes, seizures, mental health changes, and also facial weakness.
Any concerns should be addressed and hospital doctors “look a little deeper” inside the head using a CT scan or MRI, he added.