Tag Archives: Headache

Main Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury

A blow, bump, or jolt to the head can bruise the brain, stretch its fibers, or cause bleeding. Symptoms range from “I just got my bell rung” to life-threatening emergencies, so knowing what to watch for keeps you safe.

Mild injuries (concussions) often cause a brief headache, dizziness, or “seeing stars.” You might feel foggy, slow to answer questions, or nauseated right after the hit. Memory of the event can be hazy, and lights or noise may bother you for hours or days. Sleep can be restless, mood may swing, and concentration on school or work tasks feels harder.

Moderate to severe injuries add warning signs: repeated vomiting, worsening headache that won’t ease with rest or usual painkillers, one pupil larger than the other, or clear fluid dripping from the nose or ears. Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, slurred speech, or increasing confusion signal the brain is under pressure. Seizures, passing out for more than a minute, or agitation and combativeness are red flags. In babies, look for a bulging soft spot, constant crying, or refusal to eat.

When any of these red-flag signs appear—especially symptoms that worsen instead of improving—call 911 right away. Rest, observation, and sometimes surgery are needed to protect the brain.

Injury levelCommon symptomsRed flags
Mild (concussion)Headache, dizziness, “seeing stars,” foggy thinking, nausea, light/sound botherWorsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, unequal pupils, clear fluid from nose/ears, arm/leg weakness, slurred speech, passing out >1 min, agitation
Moderate/severeSame as mild plus longer confusion, memory loss, brief loss of consciousnessAny symptom that gets worse, seizures, coma, agitation, limb weakness

Main Symptoms of Brain Aneurysm

A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in an artery wall that balloons outward. Most live quietly for years, but when one leaks or bursts it becomes a medical emergency. Knowing the warning signs can save your life.

Un-ruptured aneurysms usually cause no symptoms at all. If the sac pushes on nearby nerves you may notice new daily headaches, a droopy eyelid, double vision, or pain behind the eye. These clues are easy to blame on fatigue or allergies, so they’re often missed.

A leak typically starts with a sudden, severe headache—patients call it the worst headache of their life. It may last minutes to hours and can fade, but the real bleed often follows within days. When the aneurysm ruptures, the headache is explosive, instantaneous, and paired with nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck. Light hurts, you may faint or seize, and any movement makes the pain worse. Quick medical care is critical; call 911 if you or someone around you develops this thunder-clap headache.

StageCommon Signs
SilentNo symptoms, found by chance on scan
Pressure effectDaily dull headache, droopy lid, double vision, eye pain
Warning leakSudden severe headache that peaks in seconds, may clear
RuptureExplosive worst-ever headache, vomiting, stiff neck, light bother, faint/seizure

Main Symptoms of Glioma

A glioma is a brain tumor that starts in the glue-like cells that hold nerve cells together. Because these cells are spread throughout the brain, symptoms depend on where the tumor is growing and how fast. Most people notice gradual changes, but sometimes the signs appear suddenly.

Headaches are the most common complaint. They often feel dull and steady, and they may be worse in the morning or when you bend over. Seizures are another key warning—shaking, staring, or blacking out for no reason. If the tumor is pressing on the movement area, one arm or leg may feel weak or clumsy. Vision can blur or double, and you might bump into doorframes because your side sight is fading. Speech may become slurred or slow, and you might grope for words. Personality or memory changes—such as feeling foggy, irritable, or forgetful—can be subtle early clues. Some people feel off-balance or dizzy, especially if the tumor sits near the balance center. If the glioma grows very large, nausea and vomiting may appear as pressure builds inside the skull.

Because these changes can be blamed on stress, aging, or lack of sleep, many people wait too long to get checked. Any new headache with seizures, weakness, vision problems, or personality changes that linger for weeks should be evaluated with brain imaging.

SymptomWhat you might notice
HeadacheDull, steady, worse in morning or when bending over
SeizuresNew shaking, staring, or blackout episodes
WeaknessOne arm or leg feels clumsy or heavy
VisionBlurry or double, side vision fading
SpeechSlurred, slow, or groping for words
Personality/memoryFoggy, irritable, forgetful
BalanceDizzy, unsteady, bumping into walls
Pressure signsNausea, vomiting if tumor very large

Main Symptoms of Brain Tumors

A brain tumor is any abnormal growth of cells inside the skull. Because the brain controls so many functions, the first clues can show up almost anywhere in the body. Symptoms usually start mild and build over weeks to months, but they can also appear suddenly if the tumor bleeds or blocks fluid flow.

The most common early sign is a new headache that does not feel like your usual headaches. It is often dull, steady, and worse in the morning or when you bend over. Vision may blur or double, and you might find yourself bumping into doorframes because your side vision is fading. Hearing changes, ringing in one ear, or feeling off-balance can happen if the tumor sits near the hearing or balance centers. Many people notice arm or leg weakness, numbness, or trouble finding the right words. Seizures that start out of nowhere—shaking, staring, or blacking out—are another red flag. Mood or memory shifts, such as feeling foggy, irritable, or forgetful, can be subtle early clues. If the tumor grows very large, nausea and vomiting may appear as pressure builds inside the skull.

Because these changes can be blamed on stress, aging, or lack of sleep, many people wait too long to get checked. Any new headache with vision, hearing, strength, or personality changes that linger for weeks should be evaluated with brain imaging.

Symptom areaWhat you might notice
HeadacheDull, steady, worse in morning or when bending over
VisionBlurry or double, side vision fading
Hearing/balanceRinging in one ear, feeling unsteady
Strength/speechArm or leg weak, numb, words hard to find
SeizureNew shaking, staring, or blackout episode
Mood/memoryFoggy, irritable, forgetful
Pressure signsNausea, vomiting if tumor very large

Main Symptoms of Meningioma

A meningioma is a slow-growing tumor that forms in the lining covering the brain and spinal cord. Because it creeps along quietly, symptoms often show up only when the tumor pushes on nearby nerves or brain tissue. The exact signs depend on where the tumor sits and how big it gets.

The most common complaints are new headaches that don’t feel like your usual ones—steady, dull, and often worse in the morning. Vision may blur or double; you might notice frequent bumps into door frames because your side vision is fading. Hearing changes, ringing in one ear, or feeling off-balance can happen if the tumor sits near the hearing nerve. Some people have arm or leg weakness, numbness, or trouble finding words. Seizures that start out of nowhere are another red flag. Mood or memory shifts—such as feeling foggy, irritable, or forgetful—can be subtle early clues. If the tumor grows very large, nausea and vomiting may appear as pressure builds inside the skull.

Because these tumors grow slowly, many people blame stress or aging at first. Any new headache with vision, hearing, strength, or personality changes that linger for weeks should be checked with brain imaging.

Symptom areaWhat you might notice
HeadacheSteady, worse in morning, not like usual migraines
VisionBlurry or double, side vision fading
Hearing/balanceRinging in one ear, feeling unsteady
Strength/speechArm or leg weak, numb, words hard to find
SeizureNew shaking or blackout episode
Mood/memoryFoggy, irritable, forgetful
Pressure signsNausea, vomiting if tumor very large

Main Symptoms of Cerebral Hemorrhage

A cerebral hemorrhage—often called a “bleeding stroke”—happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and spills blood into the surrounding tissue. Brain cells are damaged by the pressure of the clot and by the loss of normal blood flow. Symptoms usually start without warning and get worse within minutes to hours.

The classic first sign is a sudden, severe headache that most people describe as the worst they have ever felt. Nausea and vomiting often follow. Weakness or numbness on one side of the body is common: the face may droop, the arm may drift downward, or the leg may give way. Speech can become slurred or absent, and the person may seem confused or unable to understand simple questions. Vision may blur or disappear in one eye, and many victims feel dizzy or lose their balance. As the blood clot expands, drowsiness increases; the person may become difficult to awaken or completely lose consciousness. Seizures can occur if the bleeding irritates the brain’s electrical pathways. High blood pressure is often present and can make the bleeding continue.

Because every minute counts, call emergency services as soon as any of these signs appear. Rapid blood-pressure control and possible surgery can limit brain damage and save lives.

SymptomWhat it looks or feels like
Sudden severe headache“Worst headache of my life,” comes on in seconds
Nausea/vomitingOften follows the headache
One-sided weaknessFace droop, arm or leg won’t move
Speech troubleSlurred words, can’t speak, or doesn’t understand
Vision lossBlurry or blackout in one eye
Dizziness/balance lossStumbling, can’t stand straight
Drowsiness/comaGets sleepy, hard to wake, or passes out
SeizureJerking movements, loss of control

Main Symptoms of Cerebral Infarction

Cerebral infarction is the medical name for what most people call an “ischemic stroke.” It happens when a clot or other blockage shuts off blood flow to part of the brain. The signs can pop up without warning and usually reach their worst within minutes to a few hours.

The classic warning is sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body. One side of the face may droop, the arm may drift downward, or the leg may feel heavy or “dead.” Speech often becomes slurred or garbled; some people can’t find the right words or understand simple sentences. Vision can blur or go black in one eye, and many folks feel dizzy or unsteady, as if they’re drunk. A mild headache may appear, but severe head pain is uncommon. Sudden confusion, trouble walking, or loss of balance—like stumbling or dragging a foot—are other key clues. In serious cases, the person may pass out or have a seizure.

Time lost is brain lost. If any of these signs show up, call 911 right away. Fast treatment can reopen the vessel and limit permanent damage.

SymptomWhat it feels or looks like
Face droopOne-sided smile weakness
Arm driftCan’t keep arm raised
Leg weaknessHeavy, stumbling gait
Speech troubleSlurred, wrong words, or can’t speak
Vision lossBlurry or black in one eye
Balance lossDizzy, unsteady, dragging foot
HeadacheMild steady ache, not severe
ConfusionSudden trouble thinking or understanding

Main Symptoms of Cerebral Thrombosis

Cerebral thrombosis is a type of stroke that happens when a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain. The signs usually start without warning and get worse over minutes to hours. Knowing what to look for can help you act fast and limit brain damage.

The most common first clue is sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body—face, arm, or leg. Your smile may droop, or you may not be able to lift one hand. Speech can become slurred or jumbled; some people lose the ability to speak at all. Vision may blur or disappear in one eye, and you might feel dizzy or off balance, as if the room is spinning.

Headache is usually mild or absent, but some people feel a dull, steady ache that feels different from their usual headaches. Sudden confusion, trouble understanding others, or difficulty walking—like dragging one foot or stumbling—are other red flags. In severe cases, you may lose consciousness or have a seizure.

Time matters: if any of these signs appear, call emergency services right away. Quick treatment can open the blocked vessel and save brain cells.

SymptomWhat it feels like
Weakness/numbnessOne-sided face droop, arm or leg won’t move
Speech problemsSlurred words, can’t talk, or doesn’t make sense
Vision lossBlurry sight or blackout in one eye
Balance issuesDizzy, stumbling, dragging one foot
HeadacheMild steady ache, not the usual migraine
ConfusionSudden trouble thinking or understanding others

What Are the Symptoms of Subdural Hematoma

Subdural hematoma (SDH) is bleeding between the dura and the arachnoid. Symptoms depend on how fast blood accumulates, the size of the clot, and the patient’s age or brain atrophy. They may appear within minutes (acute), days (sub-acute) or weeks (chronic).

  1. Headache
    Persistent, often severe and worsening; classically more noticeable on awakening.
  2. Nausea and vomiting
    Raised intracranial pressure triggers frequent vomiting with little relief.
  3. Altered consciousness
    Drowsiness, lethargy, sudden confusion, or memory loss; a lucid interval may precede deterioration.
  4. Focal neurology
    Weakness or numbness on the side opposite the bleed, slurred speech, unequal pupils, or vision changes.
  5. Seizures
    Focal or generalised fits are common when the cortex is irritated.
  6. Balance & gait disturbance
    Dizziness, unsteadiness or difficulty walking, especially in chronic SDH of older adults.
  7. Behaviour / personality change
    Apathy, irritability or disorientation may be the only clue in slowly evolving cases.
  8. Coma & brain-stem signs
    If mass effect progresses, pupils dilate, breathing becomes irregular, and the patient loses consciousness.

Infants present with a rapidly enlarging head circumference, tense fontanelle and irritability. Any neurological symptom after even minor head trauma warrants urgent CT imaging.

SymptomAcute SDHChronic SDH
OnsetMinutes–hoursWeeks
HeadacheSudden, severeMild, waxing
ConsciousnessRapid dropFluctuating confusion
VomitingEarly, forcefulIntermittent
WeaknessImmediate hemiparesisGradual gait drift
SeizureCommonPossible
ComaMay develop quicklyLate if untreated