A sudden episode of fainting at the age of 27 became a life-changing experience for Saba Ali Khan, who has recalled being diagnosed with a brain tumour and undergoing surgery in 2006. Speaking on her sister Soha Ali Khan’s All About Her podcast, in an episode featuring neurosurgeon Dr Mazda Turel, Saba described how the health scare began unexpectedly.
Her account also prompted a discussion about neurological symptoms that people should not ignore. Medical experts caution, however, that headaches, fatigue and occasional forgetfulness can have many causes and do not automatically indicate a brain tumour.
Saba Ali Khan Recalls the Day She Suddenly Fainted
Saba said she initially thought her discomfort was related to her stomach, which she described as a sensitive point for her. She had not noticed any obvious warning signs before the episode.
“It happened very suddenly. I didn’t have any pre-symptoms or any conditions that I think led up to it,” she recalled.
According to Saba, she was preparing to go out when she began feeling unwell. She told a friend that something was wrong and suggested they return home. Before they could do so, she suddenly lost consciousness and fell on the road outside a building.
She said it took approximately 20 to 25 minutes for her to become more conscious, although she continued to feel hazy afterwards.
The experience ultimately led to her brain tumour diagnosis and surgery in 2006. Her recollection highlights how an unexpected health episode can prompt further medical investigation, although fainting itself can have many possible causes.
Saba’s experience also served as a reminder to take changes in health seriously rather than automatically attributing unusual symptoms to a familiar problem.
Brain Tumour Warning Signs: What Should You Watch For?
Not every headache or episode of forgetfulness indicates a brain tumour. According to Dr Amitabh Gupta, Director of Neurosurgery at PSRI Hospital, the nature of a symptom, whether it persists and whether it is accompanied by other changes are important considerations.
“Headaches that continue despite medications or become worse over time, vomiting with a headache or without an obvious cause, seizures, especially in adults, blurred or reduced vision, weakness in the arms or legs, grip weakness, balance issues, trouble speaking, and changes in behaviour, memory or concentration are all reasons to seek medical help,” Dr Gupta explains.
These symptoms can occur in several medical conditions, and their presence does not establish a brain tumour diagnosis. However, persistent or progressive symptoms, particularly when accompanied by neurological changes, warrant medical assessment.
Other symptoms that may require investigation include new difficulties with coordination, unexplained changes in daily functioning and recurrent episodes of unusual confusion. A clinician will consider the full medical history, the pattern of symptoms and the findings of a physical and neurological examination before deciding whether further testing is needed.
Fatigue and digestive discomfort, on their own, are nonspecific complaints and are not reliable indicators of a brain tumour.
The important distinction is between a familiar, short-lived symptom and a new, persistent or worsening problem. Rather than repeatedly self-medicating when symptoms continue, people should seek medical advice.
What Is a Thunderclap Headache, and Why Is It an Emergency?
A thunderclap headache is a sudden, extremely severe headache that reaches maximum intensity within seconds or up to a minute. It may feel unlike any headache a person has experienced before.
This type of headache requires immediate emergency medical assessment because it can signal a serious condition, including bleeding around the brain or a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Other possible warning signs include vomiting, neck stiffness, fainting, confusion and visual disturbances.
Not every thunderclap headache has the same cause, and its severity alone cannot establish a diagnosis. However, waiting to see whether it passes can be dangerous.
Anyone who develops a sudden, exceptionally severe headache should seek emergency medical care immediately, especially if it is accompanied by loss of consciousness, weakness, difficulty speaking, confusion or changes in vision. Do not delay assessment while trying to treat the headache at home.
A headache that develops gradually is not automatically harmless either. New or progressively worsening headaches, particularly alongside other neurological symptoms, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
When Does Forgetfulness Become a Concern?
Occasionally misplacing keys, forgetting a name or struggling to recall a word can happen to anyone. Stress, poor sleep, ageing, medication effects and other health conditions can all affect memory.
A more concerning pattern involves persistent or progressive changes that interfere with everyday activities. Examples include repeatedly asking the same questions, getting lost in familiar surroundings, struggling with routine tasks or experiencing noticeable changes in behaviour and personality.
Dr Gupta advises people who experience these kinds of changes to seek medical evaluation rather than dismissing them as normal ageing or immediately assuming they are caused by dementia.
Importantly, such symptoms do not necessarily mean a person has a brain tumour. Several neurological and non-neurological conditions can affect memory, attention and behaviour. A clinician can assess the pattern of symptoms and determine whether investigations are necessary.
The distinction is not simply between remembering and forgetting an object. It is whether a person experiences a meaningful change in their ability to understand, remember information or manage familiar activities.
Does Every Brain Tumour Need Surgery?
No. The appropriate treatment depends on the tumour’s type, size, location, growth pattern, symptoms and effect on surrounding brain structures.
Some benign brain tumours grow slowly and may not cause significant problems. In selected cases, specialists may recommend active surveillance, which involves monitoring the tumour through scheduled imaging and clinical reviews rather than proceeding immediately to treatment.
Surgery may be considered when a tumour needs to be sampled for diagnosis, is causing pressure on the brain or can be removed safely. The extent of surgery depends on the tumour’s location and its relationship to important brain functions.
Other treatment options include radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, chemotherapy and targeted medicines. Despite its name, stereotactic radiosurgery is a highly focused form of radiation treatment rather than conventional open surgery.
Some patients need a combination of treatments, while others may require ongoing monitoring. Decisions are made by the treating specialists based on the individual diagnosis and the potential benefits and risks of each approach.
A brain tumour diagnosis therefore does not automatically mean that surgery is necessary. Equally, a tumour described as benign may still require treatment if its location or growth causes problems.
When Should You Seek Medical Attention?
Certain symptoms should prompt immediate medical attention, while others call for a timely appointment with a healthcare professional.
Seek emergency care immediately for:
- A sudden, extremely severe headache that reaches its peak within seconds or a minute.
- A first seizure, particularly in an adult.
- Sudden weakness, difficulty speaking, severe confusion or loss of consciousness.
- A severe headache accompanied by fainting, neck stiffness or new neurological symptoms.
Arrange medical assessment for:
- Headaches that persist, progressively worsen or differ significantly from your usual pattern.
- Recurrent unexplained vomiting, particularly when associated with headaches.
- New or persistent changes in vision, balance, coordination or strength.
- Progressive changes in memory, behaviour, concentration or everyday functioning.
These symptoms can have causes other than a brain tumour, but appropriate assessment can help identify the underlying problem. The decision to order imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan, depends on the symptoms, examination findings and clinical judgement.
A Reminder to Take Unusual Symptoms Seriously
Saba Ali Khan’s account of fainting before her brain tumour diagnosis illustrates the uncertainty that can surround an unexpected health problem. Her experience has also brought attention to the importance of recognising symptoms that are unusual, persistent or severe.
At the same time, awareness should not become a reason to assume the worst whenever a headache occurs or a memory lapse happens. Most individual symptoms are not specific to one condition, and a brain tumour cannot be diagnosed from symptoms alone.
The practical lesson is to recognise significant changes, seek emergency care for sudden and severe neurological symptoms, and consult a medical professional when problems persist or worsen. Timely assessment can help determine the cause and guide appropriate care.
