Oct 16, 2006, 4:26 GMT
Neuss, Germany Sudden headaches at night or in the early morning can indicate a brain tumour, according to the Professional Association of German Neurologists.
Headaches that suddenly clear up during the day but become more intense and cannot be treated by normal pain killers are also a possible sign of a brain tumour.
Further indications are deteriorating intellectual abilities, speech impediments, a faulty sense of smell and blurred vision.
Some uncharacteristic symptoms of a brain tumour such as nausea or fatigue can make a diagnosis difficult.
There is no precautionary check-up for a brain tumour. 'That's why it is very important to see a specialist as soon as one of the symptoms appears,' advises the association's Curt Beil.
A brain tumour might also manifest itself as an epileptic fit.
'During a seizure, the arms and legs cramp and the eyes turn sideways. Many patients lose consciousness during a spasm,' explains Beil.
Other symptoms of a brain tumour include paralysis, numbness, coordination problems or sudden clumsiness.
Such neurological problems are typical indicators that the brain is malfunctioning.
They are caused by a benign tumour pushing brain tissue aside or by a malignant tumour destroying healthy brain tissue.
Tumours can appear in the brain's central nervous system or on the meningeal layer that covers the brain.
Treatment for most patients consists of removing as much of the tumour as possible to preserve brain matter.
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