Persistent headaches have become so common among young professionals and students that many view them as an inevitable side effect of modern life. But a recent case shared by orthopedic and sports surgeon Dr Obaidur Rahman from Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (PGIMER) serves as a sobering reminder that chronic headaches can be a warning signal rather than a routine inconvenience.
In a detailed Instagram post, Dr Rahman narrated the story of a young woman who lived with daily headaches and dismissed them as stress or screen fatigue, relying on painkillers to push through her schedule. The surgeon’s account warns that millions of people may be normalizing symptoms that point to deeper physiological issues.
Rather than treating the cause, she kept managing the discomfort. Headaches that interrupted conversations and workdays became a quiet companion she carried for months.
These physiological red flags had been presenting themselves through headaches long before medical tests confirmed them.
Mood swings, brain fog, irritability, extreme fatigue and craving patterns often accompany such deterioration, but are rarely linked to health decline until the situation worsens.
Dr Rahman urged individuals experiencing frequent headaches to pursue medical evaluation rather than tolerating pain or depending on self-diagnosis. Daily headaches, according to the report, are never normal and deserve urgent attention.
The surgeon, who holds MBBS, MS, DNB and MNAMS degrees, is widely recognized for promoting preventive health and lifestyle awareness across digital platforms.
For anyone living with headaches most days of the week, the message from Dr Rahman’s Instagram report is direct: Listen to your body before it forces you to stop.
In a detailed Instagram post, Dr Rahman narrated the story of a young woman who lived with daily headaches and dismissed them as stress or screen fatigue, relying on painkillers to push through her schedule. The surgeon’s account warns that millions of people may be normalizing symptoms that point to deeper physiological issues.
A silent struggle hidden behind a smile
According to the post by Dr Rahman on Instagram, the patient experienced constant pressure behind the eyes and heaviness in her temples, but continued with work, studies and social life without pausing to investigate. Friends, colleagues and even family members brushed off her concerns with familiar advice such as drink more water, sleep more and reduce screen time.Rather than treating the cause, she kept managing the discomfort. Headaches that interrupted conversations and workdays became a quiet companion she carried for months.
When the truth finally surfaced
The Instagram post revealed that medical evaluation eventually uncovered multiple underlying issues. Dr Rahman noted that her iron levels were severely low, vitamin B12 was deficient, hormones were imbalanced and chronic muscle tension from prolonged screen exposure was disrupting blood flow and posture. Persistent stress and poor sleep added to the strain, amplifying neurological symptoms.These physiological red flags had been presenting themselves through headaches long before medical tests confirmed them.
Why this case matters for young adults
As highlighted in the Instagram report, many people today normalize ongoing headaches because they appear manageable. Dr Rahman emphasized that headaches can be the body’s distress signal for internal depletion rather than something that should be silenced with medication.Mood swings, brain fog, irritability, extreme fatigue and craving patterns often accompany such deterioration, but are rarely linked to health decline until the situation worsens.
Dr Rahman urged individuals experiencing frequent headaches to pursue medical evaluation rather than tolerating pain or depending on self-diagnosis. Daily headaches, according to the report, are never normal and deserve urgent attention.
A wake up call for a generation constantly pushing through pain
Dr Rahman’s message is clear: Pain is communication, not a nuisance. Ignoring it may allow serious deficiencies and underlying disorders to progress unchecked.The surgeon, who holds MBBS, MS, DNB and MNAMS degrees, is widely recognized for promoting preventive health and lifestyle awareness across digital platforms.
For anyone living with headaches most days of the week, the message from Dr Rahman’s Instagram report is direct: Listen to your body before it forces you to stop.