Doctor reveals how to tell if your migraines are the first sign of a deadly brain tumour

Headaches are one of the most common ailments among Brits, with some 10 million suffering severe attacks called migraines.

Most cases are harmless. But for some, they’re the first sign of a deadly brain tumour. 

Now, one top pediatric doctor has taken to social media to reveal the little-known signs that something sinister is underpinning bad headaches.

Dr Meghan Martin has warned parents and patients to watch out for the ‘red flag’ and ‘double red flag’ combination of symptoms.

First, the timing of the headache is important.

‘If the headache is worst in the morning it’s a red flag sign,’ she told her 1.6 million Instagram followers, adding that its especially worrying if the headache is happening every day. 

Secondly, watch out for nausea and vomiting coupled with the headaches.   

Dr Martin said: ‘Nausea and vomiting is really common with viral illnesses, but if it is persistent, something to think about is if there is something going on in their head that’s increasing the pressure causing the symptoms.

‘It’s a double red flag if a kid wakes up in the morning and has a headache associated with vomiting and it has been going on for a couple of days or longer.’

Brain tumour headaches are caused by a build-up of pressure in the brain that usually results from the tumour pressing down on blood vessels and nerves, according to The Brain Tumour Charity.

Some 12,000 people are diagnosed each year with a brain tumour, including 500 children and young people.

In the clip, Dr Martin said she diagnoses three children with the condition every year, out of the ‘hundreds’ she sees struggling with headaches. 

However, around three quarters of all brain tumours are not cancerous, meaning they do not spread to other parts of the body and are usually not deadly.

But for patients with malignant growths, the chance of surviving more than five years after diagnosis is just 12 per cent.

Dr Martin also listed some other warning signs of brain tumours.

Being more tired than usual is one, but it is only usually a problem if it is persistent and comes with other symptoms, she stressed. 

Another warning sign is problems with hearing, vision or speech. 

A brain tumour can cause blurred or double vision, abnormal eye movements or a squint, according to Cancer Research UK. 

Dr Martin said children may develop problems with coordination and strength.

For example, walking might become more difficult or a young child may struggle to sit up. 

She said: ‘Balance problems are another big red flag and it’s not the kid that’s been clumsy his whole life.

‘It’s the kid that all of a sudden is wobbly on his feet kind of looks like he is walking drunk wide based gate really struggling to get around.’

She goes on to list other signs like personality changes, seizures, changes in mental health and also weakness in the face. 

Any concerns should be addressed, with hospital doctors ‘looking a little deeper’ inside the head using a CT or an MRI scan, she added.