Delhi-NCR is choking again under “severe” air pollution, and it’s not just our lungs that are suffering. According to neurologists, the polluted air is triggering a sharp rise in headaches, migraines, dizziness, mental fatigue — and even stroke risk. Many people describe feeling “foggy-headed” or unusually tired, as if they’re walking around with a mild concussion. The tiny particles in smog can inflame blood vessels in the brain, slow reaction time, and weaken memory or concentration.
Five Practical Tips from an AIIMS-Trained Neurologist
To protect yourself and your family, a neurologist from AIIMS has laid out five concrete steps.
- First: stay indoors as much as possible. Keep doors and windows shut, and only open them briefly around midday when sunlight is strongest to ventilate.
- Second: when you clean, use a damp cloth — avoid dusting dry, and don’t burn incense, candles or other smoky items inside, because these worsen indoor air quality.
- Third: use an N95 mask if you must step out. Elders and children should especially avoid outdoor exposure during high-pollution hours, and workouts should be moved indoors — like climbing stairs, doing yoga, or using a home treadmill.
- Fourth: use an air purifier tailored to your room’s size, if you can afford one.
- Fifth: if your job allows and you have the means, consider working from home or even temporarily relocating. The neurologist warns that Delhi’s air has become a kind of “gas chamber,” and escaping it, even briefly, can make a big difference.
Pollution as a Silent Threat to Brain Health
The neurological impact of Delhi’s air crisis goes beyond short-term discomfort. Chronic exposure to fine particulate matter can stir inflammation in the brain, disrupt neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, and drain energy. Over time, this toxic environment may worsen cognitive decline, increase the risk of stroke, and accelerate neurodegenerative changes — especially in vulnerable populations such as the elderly or people with underlying conditions.
