A doctor on social media has gone viral after describing the dangers of unusual headaches, saying they could be a sign of a deadly brain tumor.
U.S.-based physician Dr. Baibing Chen shared a video on Instagram detailing things he would never do as a neurologist. In it, Chen said he would never ignore a painful and unusual headache as it could be a signal you may be suffering from a severe medical issue, like bleeding in the brain or a cancerous tumor.
According to Chen’s Instagram page, he is a neurologist with a background in pharmacology and epidemiology and an “advocate for brain health.”
Chen says headaches that feel different or persist longer than usual could indicate “something serious.” People who experience unusual or intense pain, like a thunderclap headache, should seek emergency medical care immediately.
Of course, not all severe headaches mean something serious is occurring.
Globally, around 15% of people, primarily women, are estimated to suffer from the debilitating condition.
As previously detailed in The Dallas Express, migraines can manifest differently. Some women say they experience severe headaches leading up to or during menstruation. With children, migraines often present differently, leading to nausea and vomiting.
Sudden thunderclap headaches can result from burst blood vessels in the brain. This can lead to lifelong disability, coma, and, in some cases, death. Severe head pain can also be a sign of a brain tumor.
Dr. Chen further warned of neck manipulation, a technique leveraged by some chiropractors. He says the method can lead to brainstem damage and result in a terrifying condition known as “locked-in syndrome.” People suffering from it experience paralysis of voluntary muscles, with the exception of being able to move their eyes up and down. Although conscious, they lack the ability to speak or move.
While the risk is small, Chen says he would never undertake the technique.
“A stroke in the brainstem can lead to one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen and it’s called ‘locked-in syndrome,’ where you’re fully aware but can’t move or speak,” warned Chen.