Woman's Migraines, Motion Sickness Thought To Be From Phone Use Revealed Rare Brain Disorder

Chiari malformation is a condition caused by an abnormal skull structure that forces the brain to extend downward into the spinal canal. (Credit: Image by Freepik)

For years, 44-year-old Charlie Rolstone from the U.K. brushed off her migraines, motion sickness, and occasional blackouts as the side effects of spending too much time on her phone. But a medical emergency three years ago revealed a chilling truth that her symptoms stemmed from a rare brain disorder from her skull pushing against the brain.

An MRI taken during the emergency visit revealed that Rolstone had epilepsy and a Chiari malformation, a condition caused by an abnormal skull structure that forces the brain to extend downward into the spinal canal.