As Tara Palmer-Tomkinson dies after brain tumour battle, what are the symptoms to watch out for?

TARA Palmer-Tomkinson today passed away after a year-long battle with a brain tumour.

The 45-year-old was diagnosed with a pituitary tumour, an abnormal growth in the brain, after going for blood tests when she felt run down last year.

The former IT girl revealed she had been having treatment to reduce the size of the growth.

Further tests also revealed she was suffering a rare auto-immune condition which can cause tiredness, weight loss and joint pain.

WHAT IS A PITUITARY TUMOUR?

Around eight in every 100 brain tumours affect the pituitary gland, which lies in a hollow space behind the eye.

Though tiny, around the size of a pea, the gland influences almost every part of the body.

The hormones it secretes are released into the blood stream, where they are responsible for affecting growth, blood pressure and reproduction.

The majority of these tumours develop from the gland tissues and are nearly always benign, or non-cancerous.

The type of pituitary tumour Tara was battling is known as a prolactinoma, a slow-growing benign tumour.

While these tumours come in various shapes and sizes, in most cases they are less than 10mm in diameter, and known as microprolactinomas.

In rare cases, when the tumours are larger they are referred to as macroprolactinomas.

The tumour causes decreased levels of the sex hormones, oestrogen in women and testosterone in men.

Though it is rarely life-threatening prolactinoma can impair vision, cause infertility among other serious side effects.

Women can notice a milky discharge from the breasts, irregular periods or a loss of menstrual function altogether, as well as a loss of sex drive, headaches and problems with their vision.

Treatment typically involves drugs to reduce the size of the growth.

In some cases surgery can be an option.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A BRAIN TUMOUR?

While there are about 130 different types of brain tumour, they can cause a range of similar symptoms.

As they grow inside the skull they take up space, and put pressure on different regions of the brain.

A brain tumour patient's symptoms will typically depend on whereabouts in the brain the tumour is growing, according to Cancer Research UK.

The five key signs to watch for are:

1. HEADACHES

Headaches are a very common symptoms of many illnesses, so chances are you won't have a brain tumour.

Though people worry their headache could be a brain tumour, only one in 100 people suffering from headaches will actually be diagnosed with a brain tumour.

But, it is important to see your doctor if:

  • you have very bad headaches
  • are having headaches more and more often
  • have headaches when they never bothered you before
  • have headaches combined with feeling sick

You may also find anything that increases the pressure in your head makes the pain worse.

These things include sneezing, bending over, exercising and shouting.

2. SICKNESS

Being sick or feeling nauseous, particularly in the morning can be a sign of a brain tumour.

Hiccups that won't go away, are also a warning sign.

Related Stories

goodbye to the original it girl

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson dies aged 45 at her London flat – just three months after revealing brain tumour battle

Stars grieve

Duncan James leads tributes late socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson following shock death aged 45

TARA'S MEN

A look back at Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's love life from Blue singer Duncan James and Enders' Sid Owen

TRAGIC LOSS

A look back at the life of It Girl Tara Palmer-Tomkinson after her tragic death at 45

3. FEELING DROWSY

If you are feeling more tired than normal and sleeping more, it could be a sign of a brain tumour.

Falling asleep during the day could be a cause for concern, and if you start to notice it is becoming a habit, contact your GP.

4. ISSUES WITH YOUR EYESIGHT

If you eyesight begins to get worse, and your glasses or contact lenses stop helping, speak to your doctor.

You may notice you suffer blurred vision, floating shapes or tunnel vision.

All are signs that something could be wrong and should be raised with your GP.

5. FITS

You may start to notice you suffer sudden jerks, or twitching of your hand, arm or leg.

You may suffer a fit that affects your whole body.

While some fits can cause just a momentary loss of consciousness, they can be very frightening.

There are lots of different types of seizure, so it is very important to see your doctor if you suffer one, to establish the cause.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?

If you are worried your symptoms could be that of a brain tumour book an appointment to see your GP.

They will likely use a light to look into the back of your eyes.

This will show if there is any sign of swelling at the back of the eye – which can be a sign of raised pressure inside your skull.

If your GP is concerned they will refer you to see a specialist within two weeks – known as an urgent referral.

In kids, an urgent referral can be made within 48 hours.

    Source: Read Full Article

    Previous post Who are Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell and where are they now? – The Sun
    Next post Lotto fraudster handed £2.5m after using FAKE ticket faces six more years in prison unless he hands over house & cars