A throbbing headache can often make you wonder if you are having a migraine, while reaching for a painkiller may seem like the easiest way to deal with the discomfort. However, not every headache is a migraine , and understanding the type of headache you are experiencing can help you recognise the symptoms, manage them more effectively and know when to seek medical attention.
Dr Rahul Chawla, a neurologist trained at AIIMS, New Delhi, and consultant neurologist at ISIC Multispeciality Hospital, Vasant Kunj, as well as the founder of HealthPil.com, is breaking down how to distinguish between a regular headache and a migraine, including the key symptoms to look out for. Migraine has some specific features that help distinguish it from other types of headaches.” In an Instagram video shared on August 13, the neurologist explains, “Not every headache is a migraine.
These are all specific traits of migraine. If these symptoms are present and the patient experiences these types of spells multiple times, it is labeled as migraine. Dr Rahul Chawla is a Consultant Neurologist in New Delhi with degrees including MBBS, MD (General Medicine) from VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, and DM (Neurology) from AIIMS New Delhi. He specialises in stroke, epilepsy, and headaches, and practices at ISIC Multispeciality Hospital in Vasant Kunj.
The neurologist explains, “Some patients may experience an aura, which involves seeing flickering lights, zigzag lines, or patterns, or even experiencing an abnormal smell before the pain starts.
