Yoga causes brain "leakage", middle-aged women must be careful

When we are surprised by someone's behavior, we often shout: "You have water in your brain!" However, Ms. Sun from Wuhan did not have water in her brain, but was "leaking", and the culprit turned out to be the "head on knees" yoga move that she was proud of!

The doctor reminded that the disease Ms. Sun suffered from was called "spontaneous intracranial hypotension", which was caused by the rupture of the "water bag" that wraps the brain and spinal cord. This situation is more common in women around 40 years old, and women with good flexibility should be especially careful. If you experience "headache when standing up, but feel comfortable when lying down" or symptoms such as tinnitus, stuffy ears, nausea and vomiting, you should go to the neurology department for treatment in time.

Why does the brain leak?

The doctor explained that the human brain and spinal cord are not directly exposed inside the skull and spine as we imagine, but are wrapped in a "water bag". The wall of the "water bag" is composed of the dura mater and the spinal dura mater, and the "water" inside is cerebrospinal fluid. The normal cerebrospinal fluid capacity is 150 ml-180 ml, which "floats" the brain and spinal cord and makes them less susceptible to damage.

If the "water bag" ruptures and cerebrospinal fluid leaks out, as the amount of cerebrospinal fluid in the "water bag" decreases, its "floating" effect also weakens, and the brain tissue sinks due to gravity, causing the cranial nerves, dura mater and other structures to be pulled downward, and the patient may feel severe headache.

However, the "water bag" is generally very strong and will not easily burst and "leak" unless it is hit by severe external force. Why did Ms. Sun’s “water bag” rupture just by doing the “head on knees” yoga pose?

Doctors said that "leakage" is mainly related to congenital maldevelopment. If the spinal membrane is congenitally loose and thin, not to mention the human body being shocked, even a yoga move may become a trigger.

Ms. Sun did start practicing yoga in the last two months. She is more flexible than others and can quickly learn movements that others cannot do. However, you will have a headache after doing this action, which is actually a sign of "water leakage".

Middle-aged women with good flexibility should pay attention

Doctors remind that 85% of "water leakage" patients can recover on their own by lying down to rest, drinking plenty of fluids, etc., but some patients cannot heal themselves. In severe cases, complications such as cerebral hematoma and brain hernia may occur, which may be life-threatening.

The probability of a "water bag" rupturing due to congenital maldevelopment is only 0.5 in 10,000. It is more common in women around 40 years old. Women with good flexibility should be especially careful. Data shows that compared to ordinary people, patients whose "water bags" rupture have particularly good flexibility, are tall and thin, have high arches and long fingers, and can do movements that ordinary people cannot do without special training. If these patients experience symptoms such as "headache when standing up and comfort when lying down" or tinnitus, stuffy ears, nausea and vomiting, they should be alert and go to the neurology department for treatment in time.