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What are Common Brain Lesion Symptoms?

Helena Reimer
Helena Reimer

Some of the common brain lesion symptoms include headaches, memory loss, seizures, nausea and changes in vision. The symptoms can vary depending on what type of brain lesion it is, as well as the location and severity of the lesion. Experiencing one symptom alone is not necessarily a sign of a brain lesion, because many lesion symptoms could be the result of another health problem. Nonetheless, if the symptoms occur, they should be investigated by a qualified healthcare provider. Depending on the cause, the symptoms of brain lesion can affect both the mind and the body.

Alzheimer's disease primarily affects the mind, and it is caused by brain lesions that interfere with cognitive function and memory. As the lesions progress, the nerve cells in the brain begin to die off, resulting in memory loss and reduced cognitive function. A brain abscess is a type of lesion that is often caused by an infection in an ear, the teeth, a lung or the heart. In this case, brain lesion symptoms can include headaches, seizures, mental confusion, difficulty speaking and drowsiness.

Brain lesion symptoms may include headache.
Brain lesion symptoms may include headache.

Arteriovenous malformations are when the veins and arteries become interlaced with one another during the development of a fetus or shortly after the baby is born. The severity of the signs of brain lesions can vary from person to person, but headaches, seizures, vision problems, numbness and paralysis are often experienced. Cerebral palsy is another brain lesion-related disease that affects young children, and the symptoms are usually seen within the first year. Depending on the cause, the symptoms of cerebral palsy can include seizures, respiratory problems, weakness and problems with speaking.

Brain lesion symptoms may include nausea.
Brain lesion symptoms may include nausea.

Another type of brain lesion is cerebral infarction, which usually is caused by a stroke. The brain lesion symptoms caused by this condition can include losing awareness of the body on the opposite side of the lesion's location in the brain. Weakness, changes in eye movements as well as changes in speech and reflexes can also occur.

In some cases, the brain lesions can interfere with the communication between the brain cells and the rest of the body. This is commonly referred to as multiple sclerosis, which can cause symptoms such as muscle spasms and weakness in the muscles, loss of balance, speech impairment, cognitive impairment and vision problems. Other symptoms can include pain, fatigue, depression and mood swings.

People with brain lesions may experience changes in vision.
People with brain lesions may experience changes in vision.

Brain tumors are another type of brain lesion, and they can affect the brain, blood vessels, skull and pituitary gland. The tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous and can cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, coma, memory loss and reduced cognitive functions. Brain lesion symptoms also might include impairment of the senses, such as hearing, vision and smell.

Discussion Comments

anon269811

You have to watch out. I had an MRI and all of a sudden my neurologist said I had MS, so for two years, I was treated for MS. Come to find out I do not have MS. No one knows what I have, but it is Definitely not MS. But the lesions continue to grow.

I am scared at the continued growth but overjoyed it is not MS. So be cautious when someone says you have MS. Always get a second opinion.

nanny3

Gees, how scary is it that such mundane symptoms could be indicative of something so horrible! I have migraines, but I never in my wildest dreams thought I could be developing brain lesions as a result.

Really, though, how does a person know the difference between when they just have a bug that’s giving them a headache, nausea and such rather than something major like brain cancer?

Do doctors ever actually think to look that far into a problem?

tlcJPC

Is it pretty safe to say that a brain lesion is basically dead brain cells?

It seems like all of the conditions and causes in the article all result in some sort of brain damage, which is actually just parts of brain dying or no longer functioning properly.

I could be off, but that is how I’m understanding lesions on the brain at this point.

Anybody getting something I'm not?

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    • Brain lesion symptoms may include headache.
      By: snowwhiteimages
      Brain lesion symptoms may include headache.
    • Brain lesion symptoms may include nausea.
      By: Alliance
      Brain lesion symptoms may include nausea.
    • People with brain lesions may experience changes in vision.
      By: Monkey Business
      People with brain lesions may experience changes in vision.
    • People with brain lesions may experience difficulty speaking.
      By: gwimages
      People with brain lesions may experience difficulty speaking.
    • Multiple sclerosis may occur as a result of a brain lesion.
      By: joshya
      Multiple sclerosis may occur as a result of a brain lesion.
    • Brain tumors, which are a type of brain lesion, can cause coma.
      By: Monkey Business
      Brain tumors, which are a type of brain lesion, can cause coma.