Some symptoms of brain tumours

People's symptoms will vary according to which part of the brain that the tumour is in. Your sight may be affected so that you see only half or a quarter of the total picture. Sometimes your vision may be blurred. Occasionally things can be seen twice, this is called double vision.

Sometimes a person may get a weak arm or leg. This usually happens on the same side of the body. It is a little bit like a 'stroke'. Sensations may also change. Walking may feel strange, as if you are walking on cotton wool. Sometimes it may be difficult to recognise changes in temperature or if you have a pain. These symptoms are not because something has gone wrong with your leg or arm or feelings, but because the tumour and the pressure around it are interfering with the messages coming from the brain to the rest of your body.

When messages pass along brain cells an impulse is created, like an electric current. This is normal, but any damage to brain cells caused by a tumour or an injury, can create abnormal impulses and these may cause an epileptic fit. Another name for this is seizure. A seizure can take various forms. You may shake or feel a change in sensation in half of your body or in one limb or in one side of the face. A seizure is usually followed by feelings of tiredness and sleepiness. It may take just a few seconds or several minutes to recover from it. The seizure may start with an unusual sensation of smell, taste or sound. This is called an aura. An aura is a warning signal. It can help you to be ready for the seizure, and give you time to sit down in a safe and comfy position, and call somebody to help you. It is best to relax if you feel a seizure coming on, and make sure you are not standing at the top of the stairs or beside something sharp or hot.

Tumours in those areas of the brain which control speech may cause some difficulties in reading, writing, talking or understanding speech. Raised intracranial pressure may give you a headache. The headache may make you feel sick or even be sick.

Remember that the doctors and nurses will do everything they can to help and advise you with these problems.