Salman Khan suffered from trigeminal neuralgia for more than seven years.
Bollywood star Salman Khan recently spoke about his struggle with trigeminal neuralgia, a rare and very painful nerve disorder. He shared his story on a talk show, explaining the pain, treatment, and how it affected his daily life.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve condition that causes sudden, severe facial pain, and the pain feels like electric shocks and can happen during simple actions like chewing, talking, or touching the face. Because the pain is so extreme, it is sometimes called the “suicidal disease.”
Salman Khan suffered from trigeminal neuralgia for more than seven years. He said, “It is the worst pain. It is called ‘the suicidal disease.’ The highest number of suicides happens because of this condition.” He added that even simple tasks were very hard. “It used to pain every 4-5 minutes. It would take me about an hour and a half to have my breakfast,” he explained.
He first felt symptoms on the set of his 2007 movie Partner. Doctors initially thought it was a dental problem, but tests later confirmed it was a nerve disorder.
Salman underwent gamma knife surgery, a non-invasive treatment that uses focused radiation to target the affected nerve. He said, “They fix screws on your face for 7-8 hours… The procedure brought significant relief.” The surgery reduced his pain, though he still has a minor brain condition called an arteriovenous malformation.
Other treatments for trigeminal neuralgia include medications, nerve blocks, or surgery, depending on how severe the condition is. Early treatment is important to reduce long-term suffering.
Salman is not the only celebrity to have this condition. Actress Julie Andrews and composer Meryl Streep have also dealt with trigeminal neuralgia, showing that anyone can be affected, no matter their age or profession.
Despite his health issues, Salman continues to work in films. He is currently shooting for Battle of Galwan. Born on December 27, 1965, Salman is 57 years old in 2025. His long and successful career has earned him an estimated net worth of $360 million, making him one of India’s richest actors.
By talking about his condition publicly, Salman wants to raise awareness about trigeminal neuralgia. He encourages people who suffer in silence to seek medical help. “It would take me an hour to finish my breakfast… it is also called suicidal disease,” he said, showing how serious this disorder is.
Salman Khan’s openness helps people understand this rare nerve disorder better and shows the importance of early treatment to improve quality of life.
