Showing posts with label meningioma symptoms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meningioma symptoms. Show all posts
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Meningioma Brain Tumour - 6 Years On
Today, six years ago, a fabulous neurosurgeon was delving about in my head. He successfully found my brain and removed the intruder camping out on top completely.
Six years on, my head still itches continuously and my hair grows thicker on that side of my head but I have no side effects that I know of that I can put down solely to the removal of my meningioma brain tumour.
LIFE IS GREAT!
Here's to another great year!
Cheers Everyone
Friday, January 20, 2012
Meningioma Brain Tumor Symptoms
One of my friends half-jokingly estimated that brain tumour symptoms account for far more medical problems than actual brain tumours. As a neurologist, he was referring to the volume of patients who come in afraid for their lives as soon as they get what they think is a symptom of brain tumours. The problem is that almost any complaint, from a headache to partial paralysis of the body and beyond, can be a brain tumour symptom.
Nonetheless, there are many brain tumours symptoms, he explained, that should cause concern. If, for example, you suddenly start to have chronic and unexplained headaches, it is a good idea to see a neurologist. Although there are many things that can cause severe headaches besides tumours, still, they are one of the most common of brain tumour symptoms. Out of all the things that cause headaches, brain tumours rank towards the low end, so you do not need to panic. Nonetheless, it is always better to be safe than sorry. A neurologist appointment will calm your fears, and help you to get rid of your headaches.
Paralysis, trouble swallowing, troubled vision, seizure or other problems like that are much more common as brain tumour symptoms. You see, a tumour can affect any area of the brain. Usually when it does, it will cause some kind of functional impairment. That means that if you are suffering from brain tumour symptoms, you will not be able to do something that you could do before. Perhaps you will have trouble recalling things all of a sudden. Perhaps you will have trouble speaking. Perhaps you will have trouble moving your body. No matter what the issue, all of these can be signs of brain tumour symptoms. And even if they are not symptoms of brain tumours, they are obviously serious enough problems that you should go and seek medical attention.
The thing about brain tumours is that they do have a way of making their presence known. Brain tumour symptoms are generally things that are severe enough that you would go to a doctor anyway. You don't need to worry about brain tumours per se. You just need to be willing to go to a doctor when you start to feel bad, sick, or abnormal. All the studies indicate that, whether it is brain tumours, cancer, or flu, early diagnosis can be a great big help. Make sure that you get treated as soon as possible if you feel unhealthy or have abnormal symptoms. Listen to your body!
For more facts and information on my meningioma brain tumour symptoms, visit:
http://www.mybraintumour.com
Nonetheless, there are many brain tumours symptoms, he explained, that should cause concern. If, for example, you suddenly start to have chronic and unexplained headaches, it is a good idea to see a neurologist. Although there are many things that can cause severe headaches besides tumours, still, they are one of the most common of brain tumour symptoms. Out of all the things that cause headaches, brain tumours rank towards the low end, so you do not need to panic. Nonetheless, it is always better to be safe than sorry. A neurologist appointment will calm your fears, and help you to get rid of your headaches.
Paralysis, trouble swallowing, troubled vision, seizure or other problems like that are much more common as brain tumour symptoms. You see, a tumour can affect any area of the brain. Usually when it does, it will cause some kind of functional impairment. That means that if you are suffering from brain tumour symptoms, you will not be able to do something that you could do before. Perhaps you will have trouble recalling things all of a sudden. Perhaps you will have trouble speaking. Perhaps you will have trouble moving your body. No matter what the issue, all of these can be signs of brain tumour symptoms. And even if they are not symptoms of brain tumours, they are obviously serious enough problems that you should go and seek medical attention.
The thing about brain tumours is that they do have a way of making their presence known. Brain tumour symptoms are generally things that are severe enough that you would go to a doctor anyway. You don't need to worry about brain tumours per se. You just need to be willing to go to a doctor when you start to feel bad, sick, or abnormal. All the studies indicate that, whether it is brain tumours, cancer, or flu, early diagnosis can be a great big help. Make sure that you get treated as soon as possible if you feel unhealthy or have abnormal symptoms. Listen to your body!
For more facts and information on my meningioma brain tumour symptoms, visit:
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Meningioma Symptoms Often Misdiagnosed
GP's are often criticised for not detecting the symptoms of a brain tumour at an early enough stage and people presenting with many of the related symptoms such as vision problems and headaches could be put down to several other problems and conditions.
I was very lucky and my neurosurgeon was the first to make comment that he wished more doctors were like mine and acted quickly but my symptoms included a uncontrollable twitching leg nerve which suggested to my doctor something neurological and epileptic in manner.
I'm not suggesting that only people having seizures in the clinic waiting room will be diagnosed correctly straight away and I feel that maybe many doctors are criticised unfairly when you consider that brain tumours cannot be seen and are still a fairly rare condition. If you think that out of 1000 people complaining of similar symptoms that only one or maybe 2 would have a brain tumour it must be pretty difficult to get it right straight away each time.
I think the trick here is to make yourself heard and explain exactly what you are feeling and what is happening to your body. Its no good saying I feel a little tired this week and think I may need my eyes testing again because I'm experiencing a few headaches. Help yourself by monitoring what is happening. If you are experiencing anything that is unusual for you and you are concerned about it then be persistent and insist on it being investigated.
I have said it before in earlier posts but it pays to be in tune with your own body!
I was very lucky and my neurosurgeon was the first to make comment that he wished more doctors were like mine and acted quickly but my symptoms included a uncontrollable twitching leg nerve which suggested to my doctor something neurological and epileptic in manner.
I'm not suggesting that only people having seizures in the clinic waiting room will be diagnosed correctly straight away and I feel that maybe many doctors are criticised unfairly when you consider that brain tumours cannot be seen and are still a fairly rare condition. If you think that out of 1000 people complaining of similar symptoms that only one or maybe 2 would have a brain tumour it must be pretty difficult to get it right straight away each time.
I think the trick here is to make yourself heard and explain exactly what you are feeling and what is happening to your body. Its no good saying I feel a little tired this week and think I may need my eyes testing again because I'm experiencing a few headaches. Help yourself by monitoring what is happening. If you are experiencing anything that is unusual for you and you are concerned about it then be persistent and insist on it being investigated.
I have said it before in earlier posts but it pays to be in tune with your own body!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Meningioma Symptoms and Treatments
I was left a comment on my video yesterday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnmGc678828 and the commentor made reference to the fact that they had seen a good video by a neurosurgeon but unfortunately did not leave us a link. I however, have one up my sleeve and although it is a long one (the video - not my sleeve) it is straight forward and very informative. Because my tumour was a meningioma I was anxious to get to the bit about them and just incase you don't have time to listen to the whole lot I thought I would summerize the innformation for you as it is of great interest:
Presented by Dr Thomas Steineke, at the Diagnosis Brain Tumor - You Are NOT AloneIII conference, 2009
The brain tumors mentioned in this video are as follows:
Benign Brain Tumours
Pituitary
Vestibular Schwannoma
Meningioma
Keyhole & Minimally invasive techniques
In Summary re Meningioma Brain Tumors
90% are grade 1 or benign
With these tumours - if they are able to take them all out - IT IS A CURE!
5-7% are atypical - ie more aggressive and can turn into a malignant tumour
3-5% are malignant
Incidence: 2 in 100,000 - instance rises with age
This figure is probably higher as many are not found until autopsy
Meningiomas are more prevalent in women
Risk Factors:
Neurofibromatosis II
History of radiation treatment
Cell phones ?? Not conclusive - use ear pieces (sensible suggestion)
Presentation - Meningioma Symptoms
Certain symptoms are associated with tumours in certain places.
Headaches
Fitting
Meningiomas symptoms are caused by the tumor pressing on the brain
Visual loss
Treatment:
If it is easily removed then you have A CURE
Unfortunately many benign tumours are in places that are not easy to get to i.e. behind the optic nerve
Observation and scans for - slow growing and small tumours
Surgery - larger tumours/symptomatic which have immediate and long term cure therefore less follow up needed
Gamma Knife - less than 3cm not near optic nerves with good long term control
Presented by Dr Thomas Steineke, at the Diagnosis Brain Tumor - You Are NOT AloneIII conference, 2009
Benign Brain Tumors from Al Musella on Vimeo.
The brain tumors mentioned in this video are as follows:
Benign Brain Tumours
Pituitary
Vestibular Schwannoma
Meningioma
Keyhole & Minimally invasive techniques
In Summary re Meningioma Brain Tumors
90% are grade 1 or benign
With these tumours - if they are able to take them all out - IT IS A CURE!
5-7% are atypical - ie more aggressive and can turn into a malignant tumour
3-5% are malignant
Incidence: 2 in 100,000 - instance rises with age
This figure is probably higher as many are not found until autopsy
Meningiomas are more prevalent in women
Risk Factors:
Neurofibromatosis II
History of radiation treatment
Cell phones ?? Not conclusive - use ear pieces (sensible suggestion)
Presentation - Meningioma Symptoms
Certain symptoms are associated with tumours in certain places.
Headaches
Fitting
Meningiomas symptoms are caused by the tumor pressing on the brain
Visual loss
Treatment:
If it is easily removed then you have A CURE
Unfortunately many benign tumours are in places that are not easy to get to i.e. behind the optic nerve
Observation and scans for - slow growing and small tumours
Surgery - larger tumours/symptomatic which have immediate and long term cure therefore less follow up needed
Gamma Knife - less than 3cm not near optic nerves with good long term control
Monday, November 1, 2010
What Are Meningiomas?
Meningiomas are tumors that grow on the delicate outer covering of the brain. This covering is called the meninges.
If you have just been told that you have a brain tumor you are probably still in shock and trying to process the information. For me, I felt like everything in my life had turned upside down and nothing was making any sense. I had so many questions; am I going to die or can it be cured? What are my options for treatment, will I still be able to function as I am now? What are the risks and after effects? How do I tell my family? And what the heck is a meningioma anyway, why have I got one and how did I get it?
I had never known anyone else who had been diagnosed with a brain tumor so the first thing I did was to try and hold it together and set about finding out as much as I could about this diagnosis. Amazingly, I found that thousands of people are diagnosed with meningiomas each year! So, I was not alone and it appeared that many have successful treatments and continue on with a productive and satisfying life.
A meningioma tumor develops from the meninges, the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The mininges are made up of three layers, called the dura mater, arachnoid and pia mater. Most meningiomas are benign tumors. However, this benign brain tumor is unlike benign tumors elsewhere in the body and if they are located in a position that is difficult to access can be life threatening or cause disability. Most benign meningiomas appear to grow slowly. I was totally unaware of mine, which was 3cm diameter when removed. I was made aware of its presence because it was fighting for space and pressing into my brain which began affecting another part of my body which was concerning enough tonecessitate a visit to my doctor. Although most people develop a single meningioma, it is possible to have several tumors growing simultaneously in different parts of the brain and spinal cord. To follow my story in full take a look at my book 'My Brain Tumour'.
If you have just been told that you have a brain tumor you are probably still in shock and trying to process the information. For me, I felt like everything in my life had turned upside down and nothing was making any sense. I had so many questions; am I going to die or can it be cured? What are my options for treatment, will I still be able to function as I am now? What are the risks and after effects? How do I tell my family? And what the heck is a meningioma anyway, why have I got one and how did I get it?
I had never known anyone else who had been diagnosed with a brain tumor so the first thing I did was to try and hold it together and set about finding out as much as I could about this diagnosis. Amazingly, I found that thousands of people are diagnosed with meningiomas each year! So, I was not alone and it appeared that many have successful treatments and continue on with a productive and satisfying life.
A meningioma tumor develops from the meninges, the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The mininges are made up of three layers, called the dura mater, arachnoid and pia mater. Most meningiomas are benign tumors. However, this benign brain tumor is unlike benign tumors elsewhere in the body and if they are located in a position that is difficult to access can be life threatening or cause disability. Most benign meningiomas appear to grow slowly. I was totally unaware of mine, which was 3cm diameter when removed. I was made aware of its presence because it was fighting for space and pressing into my brain which began affecting another part of my body which was concerning enough tonecessitate a visit to my doctor. Although most people develop a single meningioma, it is possible to have several tumors growing simultaneously in different parts of the brain and spinal cord. To follow my story in full take a look at my book 'My Brain Tumour'.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Meningioma Symptoms
This very tricky brain tumor still has the researchers baffled and no-one has yet conclusively shown why they appear or why they choose their victims.
What is apparent though is that nobody has the exact same experience or meningioma symptoms which also make it tricky to diagnose. Having read through meningioma survival stories and spoken to neurologists it would appear that everyone has a different story to tell. The one thing that they did all share though is the emotion of shear panic when the diagnosis if confirmed.
Meningioma symptoms are very varied due to location and what body parts or functions are being affected in that part of the brain. Before they become troublesome, many people have subtle symptoms, experienced over a long period of time, that they do not associate with brain interference and are often surprised when the meningioma is diagnosed.
Meningioma symptoms such as memory loss, carelessness and vision blurring are also problems many people have to put up with as they get older and therefore these symptoms alone would not necessarily alert us to any major problem. Meningiomas may cause focal neurological defects and these are the symptoms that often send us to the doctor initially:
Arm or leg weakness
Seizures
Constant headaches
Other meningioma symptoms that may be passed by as insignificant on their own are:
Hearing loss
Loss of smell
Loss of sensation in the face
Vision Loss or visual problems
All these symptoms are caused because of increased pressure or restriction of the related function in the brain. The meningioma is fighting for space as it grows and if it is benign (non cancerous) and slow growing, can become fairly large before any symptoms become apparent. Appropriate treatment options are dependant on location but surgery is recommended if accessible to remove all or as much as possible of the meningioma.
A meningioma is a tumour of the meninges. The meninges are protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. 90% of meningiomas are benign, 6% are atypical, and 2% are malignant. Research so far has shown that meningioma brain tumours are more common in women than men and seem to be more prevalent in the 40 - 60 year old age group. Research continues to be carried out into the possible causes of meningioma as at the present time, as with most brain tumours, no conclusive cause has been found.
The majority of meningioma brain tumors are benign - the word benign is misleading in this case as, when benign tumours grow and constrict the brain, they can cause disability and even be life threatening if not treated.
Take note of what your body is trying to tell you. If you are experiencing any strange or unusual symptoms that you are uncomfortable about, a visit to your physician is always the best remedy.
First seen at Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roy_H_Carter
What is apparent though is that nobody has the exact same experience or meningioma symptoms which also make it tricky to diagnose. Having read through meningioma survival stories and spoken to neurologists it would appear that everyone has a different story to tell. The one thing that they did all share though is the emotion of shear panic when the diagnosis if confirmed.
Meningioma symptoms are very varied due to location and what body parts or functions are being affected in that part of the brain. Before they become troublesome, many people have subtle symptoms, experienced over a long period of time, that they do not associate with brain interference and are often surprised when the meningioma is diagnosed.
Meningioma symptoms such as memory loss, carelessness and vision blurring are also problems many people have to put up with as they get older and therefore these symptoms alone would not necessarily alert us to any major problem. Meningiomas may cause focal neurological defects and these are the symptoms that often send us to the doctor initially:
Arm or leg weakness
Seizures
Constant headaches
Other meningioma symptoms that may be passed by as insignificant on their own are:
Hearing loss
Loss of smell
Loss of sensation in the face
Vision Loss or visual problems
All these symptoms are caused because of increased pressure or restriction of the related function in the brain. The meningioma is fighting for space as it grows and if it is benign (non cancerous) and slow growing, can become fairly large before any symptoms become apparent. Appropriate treatment options are dependant on location but surgery is recommended if accessible to remove all or as much as possible of the meningioma.
A meningioma is a tumour of the meninges. The meninges are protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. 90% of meningiomas are benign, 6% are atypical, and 2% are malignant. Research so far has shown that meningioma brain tumours are more common in women than men and seem to be more prevalent in the 40 - 60 year old age group. Research continues to be carried out into the possible causes of meningioma as at the present time, as with most brain tumours, no conclusive cause has been found.
The majority of meningioma brain tumors are benign - the word benign is misleading in this case as, when benign tumours grow and constrict the brain, they can cause disability and even be life threatening if not treated.
Take note of what your body is trying to tell you. If you are experiencing any strange or unusual symptoms that you are uncomfortable about, a visit to your physician is always the best remedy.
First seen at Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roy_H_Carter
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