A neurologist has revealed the six seemingly innocuous things he would never do because of the risk of stroke, dementia and cancer.
Dr. Baibing Chen shared that common habits like going to the chiropractor, cracking your neck, and not getting enough sleep could lead to higher risks of brain damage.
And as temperatures drop across the country, the Michigan neurologist recommended taking extra care in the winter with portable heaters, which can release dangerous carbon monoxide, as well as stretching before exercising in winter weather.
He detailed his prohibitions in two two tiktok videoswho have more than 3.7 million views combined, Dr. Chen, who goes by Dr. Bing online
First on Dr. Bing’s no-list was “forceful neck manipulations,” which are typically performed by chiropractors but also include cracking the neck.
This involves applying force to the joints in the neck to improve alignment and relieve pain.
While one in 10 Americans undergo neck and back adjustments each year, the safety of going to the chiropractor has long been debated.
Dr Bing said: “Forcible adjustments of the neck can carry a rare but serious risk, and that is vertebral artery dissection.”
Dr. Baibing Chen, who goes by Dr. Bing on social media, took to TikTok to share the things he never does due to the increased risk of stroke, dementia, and cancerous tumors.
Dr Bing said headaches that feel different or more intense than normal could be a sign of a brain bleed or aneurysm (file photo)
This is a tear in the artery that supplies blood to the brain stem and spine. When the artery tears, blood can leak and form clots that block blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke.
Dr Bing said: “It’s a small risk for normal people, but if you already have a weak vascular wall or if you have a tear you didn’t know about, your risk of having a stroke is much higher after manipulation.”
He also noted that a stroke “can cause one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen in my life, and it’s called locked-in syndrome.”
This extremely rare condition causes the body to become almost completely paralyzed. Patients cannot move or speak, but are fully aware of everything that is happening around them.
It has only been reported a few times in the medical literature.
Dr. Bing said, “For neck pain, I stick with safer options like stretching, gentle exercise, or physical therapy.”
He also said he would never ignore a headache that “feels different” from his usual ones.
For people living with chronic headaches and migraines, it’s easy to ignore headaches. However, when new symptoms or patterns emerge, “it could be a sign of something serious like a hemorrhage, tumor or aneurysm,” Dr. Bing said.
According to experts at Harvard University, symptoms that require immediate attention include sudden, severe pain, changes in personality or mental function, pain that increases with cough or movement, and headaches accompanied by neck pain or fever.
Dr. Bing also prioritizes getting enough sleep.
He said: “Chronic sleep deprivation may increase the risk of dementia.”
During sleep, brain cells and their connections shrink, allowing more space between cells. This helps drain beta amyloid, a protein that clumps together and forms plaques that disrupt brain communications, destroying them and causing dementia.
Dr. Bing recommends getting at least six hours of sleep each night, but eight is ideal.
Specifically for the winter season, he suggests staying away from portable heaters.
In addition to posing a fire hazard, Dr. Bing said they “can be incredibly dangerous” due to an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Dr. Bing said he would never do a neck adjustment as it could tear an artery in the brain and increase the risk of stroke. Also try to sleep six hours a night, as lack of sleep can lead to dementia.
Dr Bing said gas heaters can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when used in poorly ventilated spaces (file image)
While electric heaters do not produce carbon monoxide on their own, gas heaters can release it into a space that is not adequately ventilated, since the fuel cannot burn completely in a poorly ventilated space.
Carbon monoxide poisoning has been shown to increase the risk of dementia by depriving the brain of oxygen, causing brain cells to die.
If you’re going out shoveling snow, make sure you stretch first.
Dr. Bing said, “Cold weather tricks your brain into thinking you’re not working as hard because you don’t feel as hot or sweat as much.”
“This is dangerous because something as simple as shoveling is more intense than people realize.”
He noted that overexertion could cause fainting, which increases the risk of head injuries.
He said, “I always recommend stretching for at least five to ten minutes before any winter activity, including shoveling, and taking frequent breaks.”
Dr. Bing also warned against ignoring signs of seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression caused by lack of sunlight and shorter days in the winter.
He said: ‘This is not just about feeling depressed. In fact, it can cause significant cognitive and emotional changes, such as poor concentration, fatigue, and lack of motivation.
He noted that this is because low light levels disrupt the brain’s production of serotonin, a mood-enhancing hormone, and melatonin, which tells the body it’s time for bed.
He recommends 20 to 30 minutes of light therapy in the morning to increase serotonin levels and avoid melatonin, as well as regular exercise and sleep and getting outdoors during daylight hours.