Signs to Watch for When a Headache Becomes a Medical Concern, as Suggested by Medical Professionals
Gal Gadot and Teddi Mellencamp Share Personal Brain Health struggles
Facing a debilitating headache can increase health anxiety, causing concern about the underlying cause. Recently, two celebrities have shared their experiences with brain-related ailments that started with severe headaches.
Gal Gadot, the star of Wonder Woman, discussed her harrowing experience with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT)—a rare type of stroke caused by blood clots in the brain—during an interview on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. Pregnant with her fourth child at the time, Gadot experienced an excruciating headache for three weeks before being diagnosed. Initially, doctors attributed the symptoms to changing pregnancy hormones, but Gadot's mother insisted on an MRI, which ultimately revealed the dreadful diagnosis.
"They found out this horrible thing, and we were rushed to the hospital," Gadot explained. "And they got the baby out immediately." Following the birth, Gadot underwent a thrombectomy—a type of surgery to remove blood clots—and is now healthy.
Teddi Mellencamp's story mirrors Gadot's in that she also began experiencing headaches before discovering multiple tumors on her brain. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum revealed in a February Instagram post that the pain was debilitating, necessitating hospitalization. After undergoing a thorough examination, doctors discovered several tumors and carried out surgical removal. Mellencamp will now undergo radiation therapy.
Although these stories may induce apprehension, particularly for those currently battling headaches, neurologists and emergency medicine physicians stress that the majority of headaches do not have a sinister cause. Nevertheless, they acknowledge that in rare cases, they can indicate a more severe condition.
Headaches can be categorized into primary and secondary types. Primary headaches most often include tension headaches and migraines, as Dr. Amit Sachdev, medical director in the Department of Neurology at Michigan State University, explains. In primary headaches, the brain remains healthy.
If headaches are caused by life-threatening medical conditions, such as bleeding in the brain, meningitis, or certain types of stroke, they belong to the secondary headache category. Doctors monitor symptoms like sudden onset, severe pain, altered mental status, neurological symptoms, vision changes, and behavior alterations, which can signal a secondary headache.
When experiencing persistent headaches that are new or resistant to treatment, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation. Physicians may perform a physical exam, ask about your headache history, and discuss potential lifestyle modifications or alternative medications before recommending imaging. However, if your symptoms worsen, prompt medical attention is essential.
- Gal Gadot's health struggles included a rare type of stroke known as cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), which was undiagnosed for three weeks due to being initially misattributed to pregnancy hormones.
- Similarly, Teddi Mellencamp discovered multiple tumors on her brain after experiencing debilitating headaches, necessitating hospitalization and surgical removal.
- Although both cases may induce concern, the majority of headaches do not indicate a sinister cause, according to neurologists and emergency medicine physicians.
- Primary headaches, such as tension headaches and migraines, do not usually signify a health issue as the brain remains healthy.
- Secondary headaches, however, may signify life-threatening medical conditions like bleeding in the brain, meningitis, or certain types of stroke, requiring immediate medical attention.
