Delhi based doctor says breathing NCR's toxic air is more than a nuisance, it’s a neurological crisis

Delhi's grey skyline isn't just some 'seasonal thing'. It’s become part of daily life. People joke about “fog” in winter, but there’s nothing foggy about lungs burning, eyes watering, or that heavy, heavy heads, thick taste in the back of your throat. This is real air pollution, and it’s not going away on its own.

The air people in Delhi breathe contains tiny particles called PM2.5, particles so small they slip deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream. Scientists and health experts worry about these because they don’t just irritate you, they can cause lung disease, heart issues, strokes, and worse. In fact, a study looking at annual air quality data found that Delhi’s PM2.5 levels are often more than 20 times higher than the World Health Organization’s safe guidelines.

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"Delhi’s pollution has remained consistently high since the onset of winter, and the Air Quality Index (AQI) has frequently touched, at times even crossed 300. While the health conversation around air pollution largely centers on its impact on the lungs and heart, brain health is also something that gets significantly impacted due to pollution. Migraines triggered by poor air quality are often dismissed as “routine headaches” or “stress-related headaches,” which leads to a delay in care, especially seen among working professionals, students, and outdoor workers who are exposed to this prolonged pollution," Dr. Debashish Chowdhury, Director Professor and Head, Department of Neurology, G. B. Pant Hospital, New Delhi told TOI Health.

Pollution spikes a disabling neurological condition

What makes this a massive health red flag is that migraines are the second-highest disabling neurological condition worldwide (Lancet). " The prevalence rate of migraines in Delhi NCR is already very high, at 25.2%, visibly the cases seem to have increased even more since air pollution onset," says Dr. Debashish Chowdhury. The global prevalence of migraine is 14.7%.

"During periods of severe air pollution, many individuals also report neurological symptoms, including dizziness, irritability, poor concentration, and exhaustion, blurring the lines between environmental effects and common stress responses. What makes Delhi’s situation particularly alarming is that exposure to polluted air is no longer episodic; it has become chronic. Chronic exposure to pollution may lower the migraine threshold over time. Importantly, pollution not only worsens existing migraine, but new-onset headaches and migraine-like symptoms begin in individuals with no prior history," the expert adds.

What can individuals do?

Individuals can take the following steps to reduce exposure and minimise migraine risk, advises Dr. Debashish Chowdhury.

Limiting outdoor activity during peak pollution hours can help. The use of N95 or equivalent masks, especially during commuting or outdoor exposure, can significantly reduce inhalation of fine particles.

The doctor also advises to look at sleep schedule, eat healthy food, avoid coffee intake and keep medicines handy in order to reduce the impact of migraine episodes.

Medical experts consultedThis article includes expert inputs shared with TOI Health by:

Dr. Debashish Chowdhury, Director Professor and Head, Department of Neurology, G. B. Pant Hospital, New Delhi

Inputs were used to explain the damaging impact of Delhi's toxic air. The doctor explains its connection with migraine condition.