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Headaches are not a rare complaint and in many instances, they may simply be due to stress, dehydration or lack of sleep. However, there are certain headaches that are persistent, frequent, severe and don't follow any recognisable pattern that we need to keep an eye on. In rare cases, they may be the warning sign of a brain tumour. So when do headaches go from just another headache to something more?

In a conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr. (Prof) Sumit Sinha, Principal Director & Unit Head – Neurosurgery, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka explained when frequent headaches signal a brain tumour.

Headache Signs That Indicate Brain Tumour

1. Headaches That Are Severe, Frequent, Persistent And Accompanied With Nausea Or Vomitting

If your headaches are intense, long-lasting, frequent and associated with vomiting, it's time to do something. I'm not talking about migraines that happen two days a month. I'm talking about headaches that occur several times a day or week or month, that do not go away despite rest or changing your lifestyle. Headaches associated with brain problems tend to happen in the early morning and are so severe that they wake the patient from sleep.

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2. Poor Response To Painkillers

Common headaches such as tension-type headaches or migraines will generally respond to over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. If your headache does not respond to common analgesics, or there is temporary and minimal relief only with medicine, this could be a warning sign.

3. Neurological Symptoms Associated

Particular symptoms that may be associated with your headache may point to a more serious underlying process such as a brain tumour and they include vomiting without nausea, loss of consciousness and/or fainting spells, altered sensorium, confusion or poor concentration. Visual problems such as double vision or visual deterioration (hypo- or hyper- vision, shades of yellow, red etc.) and paralysis of a side of the face or body. These more concerning symptoms suggest that whatever is causing the headache will be putting pressure on any or all of the brain, or is from pressure exerted by a tumour or mass lesion.

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4. Sudden Onset Or Change In Headache Pattern

As stated before, you have to be concerned about a new headache or cluster of headaches, any change in frequency, intensity, location, site of previous and/or persistent headaches (increased severity but not new), especially if you are over 40 years old and have no previous history of chronic headaches.

When To Consult A Specialist

If you experience any of the signs above, you should see a neurosurgeon immediately. The sooner you are diagnosed, the better able you are to treat or manage your condition, especially if a space-occupying lesion (such as a tumour) or significant neurological diagnosis is present.