Frequent and often harmless, headaches affect millions of people. But be careful not to take them lightly. According to pediatrician Meghan Martin, whose comments were relayed by the Daily Mail, certain headaches could be an early sign of a brain tumor. Through a video posted on Instagram, she highlighted certain “red signals” that are too often ignored.
As she explained, the timing of pain onset is crucial. “A headache that is worse in the morning may indicate a serious underlying problem”she warned while recalling that this symptom, particularly worrying if it occurs daily, is aggravated by the persistent presence of nausea or vomiting.“If your child wakes up with a headache accompanied by vomiting for several days, that’s a double red flag.”
Concretely, this pain could result from the pressure exerted by a tumor on the nerves or blood vessels of the brain, according to The Brain Tumor Charity. In France, brain tumors affect around 5,900 people each year, or more than 1% of cancers diagnosed annually. Among these cases, glioblastomas, the most aggressive forms, represent approximately 3,500 diagnoses. In children, around 500 new cases of brain tumors are recorded each year, making these tumors the leading cause of death from cancer in children.
Problems with vision, hearing or speech
Beyond headaches, persistent fatigue, vision, hearing or speech problems can also be clues. “A child who has impaired coordination, suddenly becomes unsteady on his or her feet, or appears to be walking as if drunk should be examined promptly.”she added. Personality changes, epileptic seizures or even facial weakness are also among the symptoms to watch out for. These signs, even isolated, warrant in-depth examinations such as a CT scan or an MRI.
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But let the most anxious be reassured: although these symptoms can be alarming, they remain rare. Of the hundreds of children with headaches that Meghan Martin sees each year, only three are diagnosed with brain tumors. However, the health professional insisted on the importance of not minimizing these signs and of consulting a doctor if in doubt. “The signs can be subtle, but prevention is better than cure. If you have any doubts, have your child examined.”
