Chronic Conditions 4 MIN READ 23 VIEWS June 25, 2025

Salman Khan Reveals His Health Struggles: AVM Malformation And Brain Disorders

Written By HealthKart
Medically Reviewed By Dr. Aarti Nehra

av malformation

Salman Khan left his fans stunned with a jaw-dropping revelation in the recent episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show. Between laughs and nostalgia, Bhaijaan finally broke his silence on years of silent suffering, “I’m working despite having trigeminal neuralgia, there’s an aneurysm in the brain, still I’m working. I also have AV malformation, but I’m still going on.

For a man who’s always had an action-packed screen presence, this news came as a huge shock. Beyond that, his candid confession also opened doors for discussion over these rare health issues and understanding what he, and others like him, have to deal with.

This blog briefly explores these three health conditions, their symptoms, and treatment options. Scroll down!

AV Malformation (AVM) – Tangle of Blood Vessels

Curious what is AVM? AVM full form is arteriovenous malformation. This rare condition causes the blood vessels to get tangled up, connecting arteries to venous drainage, disrupting the flow of blood and reducing oxygen transportation to the tissues.  AVM malformation can happen to any part of the body, including the brain.

Salman Khan’s AV Malformation condition explained

Risks

  • AVM disease hinders the growth and formation of tangled blood vessels.
  • Complications can weaken the blood vessels, leading them to burst.
  • Increases the risks of brain hemorrhage with mortality rate of 10-15%, reports a study by NIH.

Causes

Experts aren’t sure why this happens but genetic factors could be at play, and it is present since birth. It is worth noting that not all types of AV malformation diseases can be passed down in families.

Trigeminal Neuralgia – The Suicide Disease

Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that affects the trigeminal nerve which is responsible for delivering sensations to the face and eye surface. It is one of the most painful conditions leading to intense pain in the face, cheeks, lip, and around the eyes.

It is also known as the suicide disease because of the cases of suicidal tendencies and self harm associatied with the condition. There’s not a complete cure for this condition and it’s also difficult to manage.

Risks

  • Apart from stinging pain, it can lead to trauma and nerve damage.
  • It can affect sensory disturbances and lead to social anxiety and social isolation.

Causes

Trigeminal neuralgia may be triggered by a blood vessel exerting pressure against the trigeminal nerve. In some cases a growth in the base of the skull can lead to this condition. In some cases, no causes can be traced back.

Brain Aneurysm – Bulge in Blood Vessels

Brain aneurysm is the balloon-like bulge in the blood vessels in or around the brain. It is also known as a cerebral aneurysm or intracranial aneurysm.

It affects the weakest part of the blood vessel, causing the blood to rush into the bulge and making it worse. This condition is likely to affect different blood vessels at once.

interesting fact about brain aneurysm

Risks

  • The bulge can get ruptured and lead to brain hemorrhage which can be life-threatening.
  • It can lead to seizures, coma, and brain damage.

Causes

The main cause of brain aneurysm is an abnormality in the artery wall since birth. Other factors include age, high blood pressure, and substance abuse.

Symptoms of These Conditions

Identifying trigeminal neuralgia, brain aneurysm, and AVM symptoms is important because these health issues can go undiagnosed until they turn life-threatening. Read them below:

Arteriovenous Malformation Trigeminal Neuralgia Brain Aneurysm
  • Persistent headaches
  • Seizures
  • Weakness or numbness in parts of the body
  • Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
  • Vision problems
  • Dizziness or balance issues
  • Sudden confusion or memory loss
  • In severe cases brain hemorrhage
  • Sudden, severe, stabbing or electric shock-like facial pain
  • Pain triggered by touching the face, chewing, speaking, or even brushing teeth
  • Pain usually affects one side of the face
  • Attacks that come and go in episodes/bursts
  • The pain can last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes
  • Headaches (often behind the eyes or at the base of the skull)
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Eye pain or dilated pupils
  • Numbness or weakness on one side of the face
  • Difficulty concentrating

How Can These Be Treated?

Not all of these diseases can be completely treated but medication and surgery can improve the quality of life to a great extent. 

Although Salman Khan hasn’t revealed what treatment he is seeking for these health conditions, here are some reliable options:

AV Malformation (Arteriovenous Malformation)

  • AVM Surgery to remove tangles
  • Stereotactic radiosurgery (focused radiation) to shrink the AVM
  • Embolization (injecting material to block blood flow)
  • Medication to manage symptoms like seizures
  • Monitoring if the AVM is small and not causing symptoms

Trigeminal Neuralgia

  • Pain-relief medications (like anticonvulsants)
  • Microvascular decompression surgery
  • Radiofrequency ablation (burning part of the nerve)
  • Gamma Knife radiosurgery (non-invasive radiation)
  • Lifestyle changes and stress management

Brain Aneurysm

  • Regular monitoring for small, unruptured aneurysms
  • Surgical clipping to close off the aneurysm
  • Endovascular coiling (minimally invasive)
  • Blood pressure control and medication
  • Emergency treatment for ruptured aneurysms 

Overall

The lesser-known conditions like AV Malformation, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and Brain Aneurysms are rare but real struggles that can affect anyone. Salman Khan’s willingness to not quit and continue working despite the pain and discomfort is truly inspirational. This disclosure also focuses on having awareness about such issues, their timely diagnosis, and proper treatment to take charge of one’s health.

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