“To start with, let me make one thing clear - not all headaches are migraine headaches,” says Dr Abubaker Almadani, Head of Neurology Department at Rashid Hospital, Dubai Health Authority. With more than two decades of experience in the field, Dr Abubaker is one of the most recognised names in neurology in the country. “While I do say that not all headaches are migraines, I must mention that migraine is a very common disease,” adding that around 10-15 per cent of the population could be affected by it. Frequent and debilitating headaches should not be ignored, he advises. “If headaches are severe and debilitating, please consult a doctor. They will be able to advise you on the type of treatment required for the headache you are having,” says the Emirati neurologist. “Also, most headaches do not necessitate a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Some people believe they have to do an MRI if they have a headache. An MRI of the brain is not necessary for typical migraine patients.”