Delhi-NCR’s Polluted Air Linked to Migraines and Brain Damage, Experts Warn

The hazardous levels at which Delhi-NCR's pollution has reached can be a serious, long-term threat to your brain health – starting with severe headaches and migraines, according to doctors. For nearly two weeks since Diwali, the Air Quality Index or AQI stands in the "very poor" category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), with the current levels being 11.6 times higher than the World Health Organisation’s safe limit for PM2.5, which was measured at 168 g/m. While the respiratory and cardiac dangers of air pollution are well known, recent studies have also begun to spotlight increasing incidences of migraines among residents. A migraine is a complex neurological disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of moderate to severe headaches,

which are often throbbing and on one side of your head. Doctors say these attacks last from 4 to 72 hours and are frequently accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. While the exact cause remains unknown, migraines involve abnormal brain activity possibly triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors like stress, hormonal changes, sleep disruption, and certain foods.

How does air pollution lead to migraines?

According to various studies, fine particulate matter or PM2.5 - the microscopic particles penetrate deep into your bloodstream – causing cognitive decline, dementia risk, and developmental delays in children. Doctors say the same hazardous air triggers neuroinflammation and alters blood vessel function through irritants and fine particles. Airborne pollutants irritate nerves in the head, thereby activating the trigeminal vascular system and causing oxidative stress, which leads to the headaches and pain characteristic of migraines. Air pollutants like carbon monoxide and ozone also cause changes in blood flow to the brain, a known factor in migraine attacks.

Signs and symptoms of migraines

Doctors say migraines are disruptive and interfere with your daily routine and affect your ability to meet personal and social obligations. A few signs and symptoms include:

• Mood changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trouble sleeping
• Severe fatigue and nausea
• Increased hunger and thirst
• Muscle weakness
• Vision changes
• Ringing in your ears – also known as tinnitus
• Sensitivity to touch
• Numbness and tingling
• Difficulty speaking or concentrating

How can you treat a migraine?

According to experts, while there is no cure for migraines, your doctor can help you manage migraine symptoms through the following:

• Taking medications
• Avoiding migraine triggers, such as going out during peak pollution times
• Using alternative migraine remedies

You can take medications at the first sign of a migraine. They stop or reduce migraine symptoms like pain, nausea, sensitivity, and more. Doctors usually prescribe preventive medications if you experience severe symptoms that interfere with your routine or have frequent migraines. These medications reduce how often and how severe migraines affect you. You can take these medications as directed, usually on a daily basis.