- Monday, June 23, 2025
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan shocked fans by revealing he is battling a brain aneurysm, AV malformation, and trigeminal neuralgia. Despite fractured ribs and chronic pain, Khan continues to work, sharing his health struggle on The Great Indian Kapil Show.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan recently shocked fans and viewers by disclosing that he is battling three serious neurological conditions: a brain aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and trigeminal neuralgia. The revelation came during his appearance on the first episode of Netflix’s The Great Indian Kapil Show, where he spoke candidly about his ongoing health struggles and determination to keep working despite the challenges.
What Is a Brain Aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm, also known as a cerebral aneurysm, is a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain. This occurs when a weak spot in the artery wall expands and fills with blood, creating a risk of rupture. According to the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the constant pressure of blood flow can cause the weakened section to enlarge over time. If the aneurysm leaks or bursts, it can lead to a hemorrhagic stroke—a potentially life-threatening emergency involving bleeding in the brain.
Aneurysms can develop in arteries throughout the body, but those in the brain are particularly dangerous. Risk factors include high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and inherited traits. Small brain aneurysms (less than 4 mm) are often monitored with regular imaging. If there’s a risk of rupture, doctors may use minimally invasive procedures, such as inserting platinum coils through a catheter to block blood flow to the aneurysm. Surgery is reserved for larger or symptomatic aneurysms.
What Is Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)?
An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare but serious condition in which a tangled web of abnormal blood vessels forms in the brain. This disrupts the normal flow of blood between arteries and veins. Normally, arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the brain, while veins return oxygen-depleted blood back to the lungs and heart. In AVM, high-pressure arterial blood flows directly into veins, bypassing the capillaries, which can cause the veins to swell and rupture.
AVMs are usually congenital (present at birth), but symptoms may not appear until later in life. Only about 12% of patients with AVMs experience symptoms, which can include headaches, seizures, muscle weakness, facial paralysis, or speech and motor difficulties. In severe cases, AVMs can cause strokes or brain hemorrhages. Early diagnosis and monitoring are crucial.
Treatment for AVM often involves minimally invasive techniques, such as threading a catheter through the blood vessels to block off the tangle. Radiosurgery, a focused form of radiation therapy, can also be used to shrink the AVM gradually without open surgery.
What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), sometimes called tic douloureux, is a chronic pain disorder characterized by sudden, severe facial pain. The pain is typically caused by a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve near the brainstem, which is responsible for facial sensation. The attacks are often described as electric shock-like or stabbing pain, usually affecting one side of the face.
In addition to sharp pain, some people experience muscle spasms, burning, throbbing, numbness, or dull aching between attacks. The pain can be triggered by routine activities such as eating, talking, or even touching the face.
First-line treatment for trigeminal neuralgia involves medications, such as antiseizure drugs and muscle relaxants. If medications are ineffective, surgical options may be considered, including radiosurgery, rhizotomy (nerve destruction), peripheral neurectomy, or microvascular decompression, where the blood vessel pressing on the nerve is repositioned.
Living with Multiple Neurological Conditions
Salman Khan’s revelation highlights his resilience and determination to continue his work despite significant health challenges. He remarked on the show, “I’m out here breaking my bones every day—ribs are fractured, I’m working despite having trigeminal neuralgia, there’s an aneurysm in the brain, yet I’m still working. There’s also an AV malformation, and still, I’m carrying on.”
Each of these conditions comes with its own risks and treatment options, and the best approach depends on the patient’s age, health, and the progression of the disease. Salman Khan’s openness about his health struggles serves as an inspiration and raises awareness about these often misunderstood neurological disorders.
