NEW YORK, Jan 21: Headaches are a common ailment that many people experience from time to time, with some suffering from frequent or chronic head pain due to factors like insomnia, stress, or other typical causes. However, an American doctor has raised concerns for individuals over the age of 50, warning about certain types of headaches that should not be ignored. These headaches may be indicative of serious conditions such as brain tumors, aneurysms, or severe infections.

Dr. Baiping Chen, an American neurologist known as "Dr. Bing," has identified three specific types of headaches that should never be overlooked, as they could signal a serious underlying condition. Although most headaches are typically harmless, Dr. Bing emphasized the importance of recognizing critical warning signs, particularly for individuals over the age of 50, as the risk of brain-related illnesses increases with age.

One of the most concerning types of headaches is the thunderclap headache, which Dr. Bing describes as an intense, sudden headache rated 10 out of 10 in severity, peaking within just one minute. Patients often describe it as the worst headache of their lives. Dr. Bing explained that the primary concern with this type of headache is a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which occurs when an aneurysm ruptures, leading to bleeding on the brain’s surface. Along with the severe headache, symptoms may include neck pain, vomiting, and seizures. Other potential causes include reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) or cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), both of which involve complications related to blood vessels in the brain.

While the occurrence of new primary headaches, like migraines, tends to decrease with age, Dr. Bing pointed out that older individuals may still experience new headache symptoms that require further evaluation. In these cases, doctors should consider more serious conditions such as hematomas, brain tumors, or infections. Dr. Bing emphasized that individuals over 50 should be especially cautious if they experience accompanying symptoms like changes in vision, scalp sensitivity, or pain while chewing, as these could indicate giant cell arteritis — an inflammatory condition that can lead to permanent blindness if not promptly treated with high-dose steroids.

Dr. Bing also highlighted a specific warning sign: headaches accompanied by a drooping eyelid, dilated pupils, or double vision. These symptoms may indicate a brain aneurysm, which involves a swollen blood vessel that is at risk of rupturing. Dr. Bing explained that this particular combination of symptoms can sometimes reveal a brain aneurysm before it ruptures, making early detection and urgent medical treatment essential. The symptoms may result from the aneurysm pressing on the third cranial nerve, which requires immediate medical attention.

It’s important to note that not all headaches are a cause for concern. Many are the result of benign factors like poor posture, overuse of painkillers, dehydration, stress, or vision problems. However, Dr. Bing urged anyone who experiences a new headache or notices unusual characteristics in their headache patterns to seek medical evaluation to rule out any serious underlying conditions.