Saba Ali Khan recalls brain tumour diagnosis at 27 after suddenly fainting: ‘Thought it was my stomach’

In 2006, Saba Ali Khan, then 27 years old, experienced a sudden episode of fainting which led to her brain tumour diagnosis. She initially thought the fainting was due to stomach discomfort and dismissed it as something she had eaten or drunk that disagreed with her. However, she suddenly fell on the road and regained consciousness outside her building, feeling hazy and disoriented.

Khan recalled her subsequent recovery, saying it took 20 to 25 minutes to feel more conscious. Neurosurgeon Dr Mazda Turel warned that not all headaches are normal and that thunderclap headaches, or sudden, extremely severe headaches, require immediate medical attention. He noted that even adults can experience seizures and blurred vision due to brain tumours, emphasizing the importance of getting scanned.

Dr Amitabh Gupta, Director of Neurosurgery at PSRI Hospital, explained that changes in health patterns, persistent symptoms, or worsening symptoms should prompt a medical evaluation. Although not every brain tumour necessitates surgery, monitoring through MRI scans may be advised for small, slow-growing, non-symptomatic tumours. Treatment options vary depending on the tumour's characteristics and diagnosis.