Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 6/5/2008

Question
HI,
 I HAVE BEEN HAVING SYMPTOMS LATELY THAT APPEAR TO BE A NORMAL SINUSITIS OR A MIGRAINE, BUT ON THE OTHERHAND, I'M ALSO CONCERNED IF I MIGHT BE A POSSIBLE CANDIDATE FOR A BRAIN TUMOR. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING UNILATERAL MIGRAIN-LIKE HEADACHES, AND IN SOME CASES, I HAVE BEEN HAVING SLIGHT VISUAL CHANGES SUCH AS FLASHING LIGHTS, AND OBJECTS IN MOTION. IN ADDITION, I'AM ALSO HAVING SOME BALANCE PROBLEMS AND JERKY MOVEMENTS/ TREMORS DURING THE NIGHT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MY FATHER ABOUT THIS AND HE CHECKED MY EYES IF THERE WAS PAPILLEDEMA, AND MY EARS AND EXPLAINED TO ME THAT EVERYTHING IS ALRIGHT. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN SOME ANTEHYSTAMINES, AND MY HEADACHES REOCCUR AFTER AN HOUR OR SO AFTER THE MEDICATION. I HAVE A PREVIOUS HISTORY OF PANIC ATTACKS, AND ANXIETY PROBLEMS, AND I WANTED TO ALSO KNOW, THAT CAN HEADACHES OCCUR PSYCHOLOGICALLY? SINCE I'AM STEPPING OUT OF ADOLESCENCE, AM I AT A HIGH RISK OF GETTING A BRAIN TUMOR? AND IS THERE A POSSIBILITY FOR CLEANING AGENTS LIKE CLOROX BLEACH AND COMET TO CAUSE A BRAIN TUMOR?

Answer
The causes of brain tumors are at present unknown so I can not comment on that. Your symptoms do sound like those of migraine. Yes psychological problems like stress MAY cause head ache. In your case, since I believe you need to be reassured, I do recommend that you should let a neurologist check you!
Good luck!