What is Migraine & Chronic Headache?

A bad headache is not the same as a migraine or a chronic headache. Migraine is a complex, debilitating neurological condition that affects your brain’s processing directly. It causes throbbing or pulsing feeling, usually on one side of the head, and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. 

Chronic Headache is a persistent, long-lasting headache that occurs daily or for 15 or more days per month, for 3+ months. While tension-type headaches are the most common, several other types of chronic headaches exist. These headaches are often accompanied by muscle tension in the neck and/or shoulders. 

Migraines and chronic headaches are frequent and often interfere with your routine activities, severely affecting your quality of life.

Common Symptoms People Ignore

Migraine & Chronic Headaches are often characterized by the following symptoms: 

• Throbbing or pulsing on one or both sides of the head 
• Mild to severe vibrations, worsened by movement/ activity
• Sharp, stabbing pain in the head that feels like pressure
• Acute sensitivity to light and sound 
• Increased sensitivity to normal smells and touch
• Light flashes, blind spots or disturbances in the eyes
• Nausea, vomiting & irritability 

The following are lesser-known symptoms that people don’t associate with migraines and often ignore. 

• Dizziness or vertigo 
• Tingling in hands or face
• Neck stiffness 
• Muscle weakness 
• Issues with speech and language 
• Hearing loss or ringing in ears
• Frequent yawning or food cravings
• Brain fog & difficulty concentration 
• Insomnia

When to Worry?

While most headaches are manageable, certain symptoms indicate a serious underlying neurological condition. You must watch out for these red flags and get professional help from a neurologist if you experience the following:  

• Frequent headaches: If you are experiencing migraines or severe headaches for 15+ days per month for over 3 months. 
• Headache after head injury: If you are experience pain after a concussion, fall, head injury or trauma, indicating internal bleeding or swelling. 
• Thunderclap headaches: If you experience sudden or abrupt severe headaches that reaches maximum intensity within seconds. 
• Headaches accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, double vision or numbness. 
• Positional or exertional pain: Headaches that worsenafter coughing, physical activity, exertion, sudden movements or straining.

How is Diagnosis Done?

Understanding Your Concern: The neurologist will first listen to your concerns and may ask you about: 

• The location of your pain in your head
• The severity & frequency of your migraine/ headaches
• The other symptoms you are experiencing (sensitivity to light & sound, etc.)
• Your sleep habits, diet, caffeine intake, and lifestyle 
• Your stress & anxiety levels and any recent occurrences causing it. 
• Possible migraine triggers (food, beverage, smells, etc.)

These questions will help them understand your symptoms, severity, and frequency of migraine or chronic headaches.

Medical History: The doctor will gather your medical history, family history of migraines/ chronic headaches, and other relevant information needed for the diagnosis.

Clinical Examination: The doctor will conduct a thorough physical and neurological examination and may check your reflexes, muscle strength, vision, coordination, and balance. This will help the doctor differentiate a common migraine from other neurological conditions. Diagnostic Tests: If genuinely necessary, the neurologist may order diagnostic tests such as a Brain MRI, Brain CT, or other tests/ investigations to rule out secondary causes of your pain, life-threatening conditions (such as strokes), or complications. This helps build a treatment plan on an accurate foundation.

Migraine & Headache Treatment In Vasant Kunj

The treatment for migraine and chronic headache often includes a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, mental healthcare, and medical procedures/ therapies where necessary. Dr. Rahul Chawla, a trusted neurologist in South Delhi, offers highly individualized treatment plans to ensure best outcomes for each patient based on their specific challenges and needs. 

Tailored Medication: The neurologist may prescribe preventive medicines to help you prevent or reduce the frequency/ severity of attacks and rescue or pain-relieving medicines to help ease the pain and/or ease other symptoms. A combination treatment is prescribed if single medications do not help you. 

Lifestyle Change: The doctor may suggest making changes to your diet and lifestyle such as exercise, hydration, sleep, routine, painkiller overuse, etc. to help avoid triggers and prevent headaches. They may also suggest relaxation techniques and home remedies to help ease your pain during an attack. 

Mental Healthcare: The neurologist may refer you to a mental health profession if you are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other conditions that trigger your migraines/ headaches. Medical Procedures & Therapies: Where necessary, the neurologist may suggest nerve stimulation, neuromodulation therapy, or alternative treatments to help ease your pain and ensure lasting wellness.

Common Myths About Migraines & Chronic Headaches

Myth	Fact
Headaches and migraines are the same.	Migraine is not just a bad headache. Even though migraines involve headaches, they are debilitating neurological conditions that affect a person’s ability to perform even routine activities. In fact, all headaches are not the same. There are diverse types of chronic headaches and migraines which require a medical professional’s intervention for effective management.
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicines are enough for chronic headaches & migraines.	While OTC medicines and painkillers may provide temporary relief for chronic headaches & migraines, they are not long-term solutions. They may mask underlying neurological conditions or secondary causes that require specialized treatment. In fact, medication overuse can lead to severe or chronic headaches, worsening your problem. A migraine specialist in South Delhi like Dr. Chawla can offer tailored, evidence-based treatments and ensure long-term relief.
You can prevent taking migraine medication if you just ‘ride it out’.	This is one of the most common & damaging myths about migraines. Avoiding medication or waiting too long to take it can actually make the migraine harder to treat. This is because the pain signals become so ingrained that even strong medication may fail, leading to a longer recovery time and may even increase the risk of your migraines becoming chronic over time. It is best to consult a neurologist and follow the treatment plan provided by them.
Headaches & migraines aren’t that serious. One doesn’t have to see a neurologist for it.	Frequency and red flags matter. Occasional headaches are common and may not be serious. However, frequent headaches (15 or more days per month for more than 3 months), severe headaches, or headaches accompanied by other symptoms require a neurological evaluation. A neurologist will help rule other neurological conditions and help you experience long-term relief with an individualized treatment plan.
There are no effective treatments for migraines & chronic headaches.	This myth is particularly discouraging to individuals suffering from chronic headaches and migraines. The fact is that pain-relief (rescue) and preventive medications are available that help prevent and/or ease your pain. A neurologist will prescribe a medicines, therapies, and lifestyle changes to help you navigate your pain better.

FAQs