Constant headaches = Brain tumour?

Question

I get a lot of headaches... I mean A LOT!
Everyday is a headache, my life has been one large headache.

I used to think I was just one of the lucky people that got them but now I'm starting to get paranoid that I could have a brain-tumour or something...

Sounds dumb yes but it could be true.

HELP PLEASE!
I am a bit of a hypocondriac...

Oooh! Just to let everyone know this has been happening for MANY years.

But thanks so far! ^^

Answer 1

OH I'm quite sure someone in answers can diagnose your problem...I'm mean why go to a Doctor

Answer 2

It's ok to be scared about headaches. You are not alone. Headaches, the vast majority of the time, are not typically related to intracranial expansile masses or tumors. Typically, headaches are either migraines or 'tension' or musculoskeletal-based headaches. It is important to be able to characterize your headache in order to understand its etiology and potential treatment options. First consider these things:

1. Where are your headaches located?

Are they over the front of your head, the 'temple' region, the back, or the top? Is it one side mostly or does it encompass the entire skull? Migraines typically affect on side more than the other. While cervicogenic (or neck-related) are typically more in the back of the head. Tension headaches are supposed to be 'band-like'.

2. How often do you get them?

Did they start out sporadic and are now more continuous? Are they present all the time in fluctuating severity? If sporadic, how many headaches per month? Do they occur at a particular time of the day?

3. What is the quality of the pain?

Throbbing, pounding, sharp, dull ache, stabbing, burning, etc.

4. Are there any associated features?

Nausea, vomiting, light or sound sensitivity, visual disturbances like flashing colorful lights or a blind spot in your vision; numbness; tingling; weakness. All of these are typically associated with migraines.

5. Anything trigger them or make them worse?

Are there positional changes (i.e. worse lying or standing)? Certain foods may triggers them such as cured meats, cheeses, wines or chocolates.

6. What makes them better?

Going into a dark quiet room? Ibuprofen or Excedrin? Coffee?

7. Are there any lifestyle factors that may be contributing?

Stress? Are you getting adequate sleep? Do you drink a lot of caffeine?

These are all things one must consider when dealing with headaches and might be nice to have at the ready when you discuss them with your doctor. Chronic daily headaches are usually 'tension' headaches gone awry and can usually be treated with simple lifestyle changes or minor medications. Sporadic migraines can be treated with abortive medications like Imitrex or Maxalt to name a couple if they are refractory to over the counter meds like ibuprofen or naproxen. 'Transformed migraine', a migraine that starts sporadic and then becomes more of a daily headache or frequent migraines are a little more complex and may require a neurologist's help. There are a variety of prophylactic medications that can stop these from occurring.

One word about self-treating headaches. If you are taking any medication on a daily basis, you run the risk of rebound headaches. These are notoriously associated with meds like Midrin, Excedrin, or narcotics (i.e. Vicodin, T#3). When this occurs, it becomes difficult to stop taking the meds b/c you develop a headache with or without them.

Hopefully this gives you some things to consider, but allays your fears about tumors. If the headaches are always on one side, getting worse, changing in character, or associated with unilateral numbness, weakness, or speech problems, you should see your doctor immediately.

Answer 3

If you've been having headaches for years and no other neurologic symptoms, there's very little chance it's a brain tumor. Headaches can be treated, though, and your GP can probably find a treatment that at least decreases the frequency by half.

Answer 4

Relax and they might go away. You are causing yourself alot of tension. If you think something might really be wrong go to the doctor. It's better to go and find it to be nothing but a tension headache than to not go and it be something else. Just ask my husband how that goes. He has brain tumors. Yes the first one was a headache that never stopped. It was so severe that he could not function at all. His latest brain tumor made him lose all function of his body and he can't speak and be understood.

Answer 5

Headache is a pain in the head, scalp or neck.
Headaches can be caused by minor problems
like eyestrain, lack of coffee or more serious reasons
like head injury, brain tumors, encephalitis and
meningitis. Taking painkillers continuously can
have harmful side effects, so it is better to
modify your lifestyle. More information available at

Answer 6

You know, I'm pretty much in the same boat you are. I get headaches daily. And being a paranoid person, I was worried about a brain tumor. So you aren't alone.

But my advice to you is, go see your doctor. If you are worried, the doctor is the best place to go.

Good luck!

Answer 7

constant headaches brain tumour

Answer 8

Please get a cat scan. This happened to a very dear friend of mine and it turned out he did have a brain tumor. Good news, he is fine now after a successful surgery.

Answer 9

it could be any number of things such as miagranes,low blood sugar,high blood sugar,high blood pressure,you eyes might need checked because you can get head aches with eye strain and not even know it! theres no way for sure to know unless you go to a doctor and tell him how long you have been getting them and let hin run some test!

Answer 10

Maybe a tumor. Could also be allergies. Get some allergy medicine and see if that helps.