Which people are at higher risk of getting a brain tumor? Know from the expert

Brain tumor is a serious health problem, which often emerges slowly and its symptoms may seem minor in the beginning. Some people have a higher risk of brain tumors than others. Let's know about it.

Brain tumor means an abnormal growth of cells in the brain. When brain cells start growing without any control, they take the form of a lump or tumor. This tumor sometimes grows slowly, but in some cases it can spread rapidly and damage other parts of the brain. Brain tumors are mainly of two types - benign, which are not cancerous, and malignant, which are cancerous. Its causes may include radiation exposure, weak immune system, some viruses or family history. However, sometimes no clear reason is found for it. In such a situation, it is very important to identify the symptoms and get treatment in time.

 

Brain tumor interferes with the functioning of the brain, which can have many bad effects on the body. As the size of the tumor increases, it exerts pressure on the nerves and tissues of the brain, causing symptoms like headache, vomiting, seizures, loss of vision, difficulty in speaking or understanding and loss of balance while walking. Sometimes numbness in hands and feet, weakness of one side of the body or changes in behavior are also seen. All this depends on which part of the brain the tumor is in. If it is not treated in time, it can damage important parts of the brain and can also be life-threatening. Therefore, taking its initial symptoms lightly can prove to be costly.

Which people are at higher risk of getting brain tumor?

Dr. Gangesh Gunjan of the Department of Neurosurgery at Sarvodaya Hospital explains that the risk of brain tumor is seen to be higher than normal in some people. First of all, this risk increases in those who have a family history of brain tumor or any neurological disease. Apart from this, brain cells can grow abnormally in those who have taken radiation therapy for a long time, such as people who have undergone cancer treatment. Those working in industrial areas, where there is more exposure to chemicals and toxic substances, also come in the risk zone.

People suffering from some genetic disorders like Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Neurofibromatosis and Tuberous sclerosis can also be affected by it. Apart from this, men are slightly more likely to get brain tumors than women. This risk increases with age. However, this disease can also affect children and youth. Research is also going on regarding mobile, wireless devices and hormonal imbalance, but no concrete results have come out so far.

How to protect yourself?

Avoid using mobile or wireless devices for a long time.

Eat a healthy, antioxidant-rich and balanced diet.

If you have symptoms like frequent headaches, dizziness or seizures, do not delay, consult a doctor immediately.

If anyone in the family has had brain tumor, get neurological checkup done from time to time.

Exercise and try to reduce mental stress.

If you are working in areas with harmful chemicals or pollution, take care of safety.