Brain Health - 4 July 2023
Brain Health - 4 July 2023
Brain Health - 4 July 2023
Understanding neurosurgery
WHEN faced with the possibility of brain their loved ones. and mistakenly attributed to other
surgery, the first emotion we would likely comorbidities, causing brain tumours to
experience is instinctual unease. This is a Who is at risk? remain undiagnosed for many years.
natural reaction as our personalities, Interventional pain specialist,
thoughts and other aspects that define us Brain tumours can affect anyone neurosurgery and spine surgery expert at
are inextricably linked to brain function. regardless of age or lifestyle and its effects Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City, Dr
The thought of having our identities can range from being relatively benign to Toh Charng Jeng emphasises the subtle
being permanently altered can be potentially life-threatening depending on nature of brain tumours and the potential
unsettling. its size, location and development. The difficulties in identifying them.
Fortunately, it is a big misconception cause for primary tumour growths that “It is common for older patients, for
that neurosurgical intervention causes originate from the brain is still unknown. example, to miss signs of brain tumours.
sudden personality shifts. The reality is It is generally advisable that individuals They generally have their attention
that these drastic changes are more often undergo an MRI scan if they experience slowed down and maybe talk less than
associated with brain tumours. If left clinical symptoms as described in this before. Some may think this is just a part
untreated, it carries more severe risks article, although this can vary depending of dementia.”
and consequences compared to the on the patient’s condition and situation. “Patients must always consult a
relatively low risk of surgery. Patients with cancer are also more likely neurologist before jumping to conclusions.
Moreover, the field of neurosurgery to develop secondary brain tumours You shouldn’t assume psychiatric illness
in Malaysia has made significant (caused by the spread of cancer cells from Dr Toh Charng Jeng. until you rule out red-flag conditions like
advancements in both surgical technique other body organs). An oncologist will tumours, especially if their symptoms do
and medical technology, further reducing recommend these patients undergo serial progressively worse over time. A sudden not present themselves as typical
risk associated with neurosurgical MRI screenings once every three to six change in headache intensity and pattern dementia signs, for example, as it would
procedures, while enabling more precise months. could also be indicative of a brain tumour need to be investigated further.”
and effective treatment. but not all headaches are indicative of a Given the difficulty of noticing personal
It is important for Malaysians to Common symptoms tumour. behavioural changes in oneself, we must
develop better understanding of brain Other symptoms of brain tumours rely on our loved ones to notice unusual
tumours and available treatments to help One of the tell-tale signs of a brain include an unsteady gait, blurred vision or persistent changes in our attitudes and
them make more informed decisions and tumour is persistent and severe and vomiting. Unfortunately, these
protect the health of both themselves and headaches, especially if the headaches get symptoms can sometimes be overlooked > TURN TO PAGE 2
2 Brain Health THE STAR, TUESDAY 4 JULY 2023