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If you have any of the symptoms
described you should see your family doctor who will examine you. If a brain tumour is
suspected he or she will refer you to a specialist doctor. At the hospital the doctor will take details of your medical history and will
ask you about the symptoms you may have been experiencing. Then you will have an
examination to test your nervous system.
The examination may include:
- Mental exercises, such as simple arithmetic and simple
questions.
- Eye examination using an ophthalmoscope, to see if the optic
disc at the back of your eye is swollen, a sign of raised intracranial pressure. Your all
round vision will also be tested.
- Hearing tests.
- Facial muscle test - smiling, grimacing.
- Tongue movement, gag reflex tests using a tongue depressor.
- Checking the power and strength of your arms and legs, your
knee jerks and other reflexes. The doctor will test your ability to feel pin-pricks, to
distinguish between hot and cold and maybe to recognise the feel of familiar objects like
coins.
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