Dubai: After Bollywood actor Salman Khan revealed that he鈥檚 battling a rare brain condition, UAE doctors are urging community members to pay closer attention to persistent or unusual headaches, which could be early warning signs of serious neurological disorders.The 59-year-old popular actor reportedly suffers from trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic pain condition, and has experienced complications linked to brain aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) 鈥 all of which can be potentially life-threatening if left undiagnosed.These conditions may be rare, but UAE neurologists say they are very real and treatable, especially if detected early..Symptoms, early warning signs.Dr Asma Mushtaque, Specialist Neurologist at Burjeel Medical Center, Abu Dhabi鈥檚 Al Shamkha, explained that a brain aneurysm is a ballooning or weakening of a blood vessel wall in the brain. While many aneurysms go unnoticed, a rupture can be catastrophic causing a sudden, severe headache, nausea, vision disturbances or loss of consciousness.Similarly, trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve disorder that causes intense, electric shock-like facial pain, typically on one side, often misdiagnosed or dismissed as a dental issue.AVMs, on the other hand, are abnormal tangles of blood vessels in the brain that disrupt normal blood flow and oxygen delivery. Some AVMs cause no symptoms, but others can lead to headaches, seizures or progressive neurological symptoms like weakness or speech difficulties.鈥淲hile they are considered rare globally, they are certainly encountered in clinical practice in the UAE,鈥 Dr Asma noted..鈥楾hese aren鈥檛 just headaches鈥.鈥淢ost headaches are benign, but certain warning signs should never be ignored,鈥 said Dr Asma. 鈥淎 sudden, severe headache described as the worst of one鈥檚 life could point to a ruptured aneurysm and needs emergency evaluation. Sharp, electric-shock-like facial pain triggered by light touch or movement, especially if it keeps recurring on the same side of the face, could signal trigeminal neuralgia. Similarly, new-onset seizures or neurological symptoms such as vision problems, numbness, or limb weakness could point to a vascular issue like an AVM.鈥 .Most headaches are benign, but certain warning signs should never be ignoredDr Asma Mushtaque.Early diagnosis is key.Global studies estimate that trigeminal neuralgia affects approximately 4 to 5 people per 100,000 each year. Brain aneurysms are present in 2 to 5 per cent of the population, though many go undiagnosed. AVMs are even rarer, affecting around 1 in 100,000 people annually.鈥淗ere in the UAE, the availability of advanced imaging tools, such as MRI and CT angiography, enables us to diagnose these conditions earlier, even before complications develop,鈥 Dr Asma said..鈥楳any people don鈥檛 even know they have it鈥.According to Dr Vinay Kumar Gurumath, Specialist Neurosurgeon at Aster Hospital, Qusais and Muhaisnah, many individuals live with brain aneurysms unknowingly.鈥淢ost of the brain aneurysms are asymptomatic. However, untreated ruptured aneurysms can cause internal bleeding and may be life-threatening,鈥 he said.鈥淲hen an aneurysm bursts open, one may feel sudden severe pain in the head, neck stiffness, stroke with weakness in limbs followed by drowsiness or loss of consciousness.鈥.Most of the brain aneurysms are asymptomaticDr Vinay Kumar Gurumath.Dr Kumar noted that aneurysms are more likely in individuals with high blood pressure, atherosclerosis or those suffering injury to blood vessels. .鈥楨arly signs matter more than you think鈥.Despite their severity, both doctors stress that most of these conditions are manageable with timely intervention.鈥淔or trigeminal neuralgia, medication is often the first step,鈥 said Dr Asma. 鈥淚f that fails, surgical procedures like Gamma Knife radiosurgery or microvascular decompression can be highly effective.鈥漈reatment for aneurysms may involve endovascular coiling, surgical clipping, or catheter-based embolisation, depending on the case. For AVMs, treatment varies from stereotactic radiosurgery to microsurgical removal, depending on size and location..A wake-up call for the public.Salman Khan鈥檚 openness has helped shine a light on often-overlooked neurological conditions, doctors said.鈥淲hen a celebrity talks about such conditions, it raises awareness and encourages others to take symptoms seriously,鈥 said Dr Asma.鈥淎nyone experiencing unusual or persistent headaches, sharp facial pain, or neurological symptoms should seek medical attention. Don鈥檛 dismiss symptoms as stress or fatigue. Early diagnosis, proper imaging and timely intervention can prevent life-threatening complications,鈥 Dr Asma underlined, noting that with greater awareness and prompt medical attention, lives can be saved and suffering reduced.