Many people live for years with these unpleasant health problems – ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or dizziness (vertigo). They attribute them to stress or do not address them at all with the doctor. But a recent study published in the magazine came up with a connection with a serious diagnosis – a brain tumor. In this article, you will read how a relatively common inconvenience can turn into a dangerous disease.
Does tinnitus and vertigo automatically equal a brain tumor?
Brain tumors can take many forms. Even those that are not cancerous can put pressure on sensitive areas of the brain and cause symptoms. The specific symptoms you experience will depend on the type of tumor and its location in the brain. Some types of brain tumors can cause tinnitus – or ringing in the ears – and dizziness, but these are usually indirect symptoms.
There is only a few millimeters of space between the brain and the skull. An adult’s brain – weighing approximately 1.4 kg – together with the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid, uses almost every centimeter of space in the cranial cavity. Any growths, excess fluid or any kind of swelling can cause serious problems. Brain tissues are delicate and very sensitive to pressure. When tumors develop, parts of the brain can swell or shift, putting pressure on other areas. This is called cerebral edema and can lead to increased intracranial pressure.
The good news from doctors is that ringing in the ears or dizziness alone does not cause malignant tumors
Dizziness is a symptom that can occur in many diseases, but if it occurs together with tinnitus, the diagnosis can be more easily established. Both symptoms can occur with brain tumors, and tinnitus is more common in people with non-cancerous brain tumors, while vertigo is a very common symptom of many different health problems. If you experience ringing in the ears along with problems such as balance problems, headache, nausea or dizziness, make an appointment with your doctor. Although benign brain tumors that cause dizziness and tinnitus are usually not cancerous, they can still cause problems because of the pressure they create in the skull.
There are many things that can cause dizziness, including migraines and dehydration, so it’s difficult to make a diagnosis based on these symptoms alone. The doctor will ask you about what happens before and during the dizziness, as well as other questions about your health, and suggest further examinations accordingly.
What symptoms usually accompany brain tumors?
Ringing in the ears and dizziness aren’t the only things that can signal a brain tumor. The brain is the control center for the entire body, so when different parts of the brain are affected, symptoms can appear in the different body systems it controls. Common symptoms of brain tumors include: headaches, seizures, vision changes, hearing loss, smell changes, personality changes, sleep problems, memory problems, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, balance problems, and weakness, especially on one side of the body.
Tinnitus and dizziness alone can cause other diagnoses, such as ear damage, Meniere’s disease, migraines and high blood pressure. If you experience these symptoms along with headache, nausea, or balance problems, talk to your doctor about imaging tests, such as a CT or MRI.
