<s>[INST] I have had migraines for years, but now they have become daily and chronic along with vomiting. How would I know if it s a stoke or not? A hospital did exploratory surgery on me last Jan.,4. 2013. I coded twice and was never told why. an MRI showed a slice of my brain was aged older than what I am. Do you have any ideas? [/INST] I read your question, and I am sorry about your chronic headache. The best test to detect stroke is precisely MRI. However, stroke is an acute disease which manifests itself abruptly while in your case the headache and vomiting are prescribed as having a gradual progression which is not typical for common stroke. Of course despite the fact that stroke is not likely to be at the root of your symptoms, I think you should still see a neurologist for your chronic headache to determine their exact type, other possible causes for their worsening and medical therapy. As for the MRI result I don't think you should panic, that aging issue which has been reported must always be seen in relation to your higher brain functions (memory, language, judgement), only if there are clinical signs of their impairment is it worrying. It's not the cause of headache with vomiting though. Hope you get better soon. Feel free to ask further questions. </s>