Neurologist reveals six everyday habits he tries to avoid because of their links to cancer, dementia

A neurologist has revealed the six seemingly innocuous things he would never do due to the risk of strokes, dementia, and cancer.

Dr Baibing Chen shared that common habits like going to the chiropractor, neck cracking and not getting enough sleep could lead to higher risks of brain damage.

And as temperatures drop nationwide, the Michigan-based neurologist recommended taking extra caution in the winter with space heaters, which can release dangerous carbon monoxide, as well as stretching before working out in the winter weather.

He detailed his no-nos in two two TikTok videos, which have more than 3.7million views combined, Dr Chen, who goes by Dr Bing online

First on Dr Bing’s list of no’s was ‘forceful neck manipulations,’ which are usually done by chiropractors but also include cracking your neck.

This involves applying force to joints in the neck to improve alignment and relieve pain.

While as many as one in 10 Americans gets neck and back adjustments every year, the safety of going to the chiropractor has long been debated. 

Dr Bing said: ‘Forceful neck adjustments can carry a rare but serious risk, and that is vertebral artery dissection.’

This is a tear in the artery that supplies blood to the brain stem and spine. When the artery tears, blood can leak out 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 vessel wall or if you have a tear that you didn’t know about, your risk of getting a stroke is much higher after manipulation. 

He also noted that a brain stem stroke ‘can lead to one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen, and it’s called locked in syndrome.’

This extremely rare condition causes the body to become almost completely paralyzed. Patients are unable to move or speak, but they are fully aware of everything happening around them.

It has only been reported a handful of times in medical literature. 

Dr Bing said: ‘For neck pain, I stick with safer options like stretching, gentle exercises, or physical therapy.’

He also said he would never ignore a headache that ‘feels different’ from his regular 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 bleed or tumor or aneurysm,’ Dr Bing said. 

According to experts from Harvard University, symptoms that warrant immediate attention include sudden and severe pain, changes in personality or mental function, pain that increases with coughing or movement, and headaches accompanied by neck pain or fever. 

Dr Bing also prioritizes getting enough sleep. 

He said: ‘Chronic sleep deprivation can increase the risk of dementia.’

During sleep, brain cells and their connections shrink, allowing more space between the cells. This helps drain beta amyloid, a protein that clumps together and forms plaques that disrupt brain communications, destroying them and leading to dementia.

Dr Bing recommends getting at least six hours of sleep every night – but ideally you want eight.

For the winter season specifically, he suggests steering clear of space heaters.

In addition to being a fire hazard, Dr Bing said these ‘can be incredibly dangerous’ due to an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

While electric space heaters don’t produce carbon monoxide on their own, gas heaters can release it in a space that is not properly ventilated, as fuel can’t completely burn in a poorly ventilated space.

Carbon monoxide poisoning has been shown to increase dementia risk by depriving the brain of oxygen, causing brain cells to die.  

If you’re going outside to shovel snow, make sure you stretch first. 

Dr Bing said: ‘The cold weather tricks your brain into thinking you’re not working as hard as you are because you’re not feeling as hot or you’re not sweating as much.

‘This is dangerous because something as simple as shoveling is more intense than people realize.’

He noted that overexertion could lead to fainting, increasing the risk of head injuries.  

He said: ‘I always recommend stretching for at least five to 10 minutes before any winter activity, including shoveling, and taking frequent breaks.’ 

Dr Bing also warned to not ignore the signs of seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression caused by a lack of sunlight and shorter days in the winter.  

He said: ‘This isn’t about just feeling down. It can actually lead to significant cognitive and emotional changes, such as poor concentration, fatigue, and a lack of motivation.

He noted that this is because low light levels disrupt the brain’s production of serotonin, a mood-boosting hormone, and melatonin, which tells the body that it’s time for bed.

He recommends 20 to 30 minutes of light therapy in the morning to boost serotonin levels and stave off melatonin, as well as regular exercise and sleep and going outside during the daylight hours.