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Space headache: a new secondary headache.
1Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands. a.a.vein@lumc.nl
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|January 30, 2009
Summary
Astronauts frequently experience headaches in space, often unrelated to space motion sickness. This study suggests space-induced headaches may warrant classification as a distinct medical condition.
Area of Science:
- Space Medicine
- Neurology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Headaches are an underreported issue during space missions.
- Existing research often attributes space headaches to space motion sickness (SMS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of headaches experienced by astronauts during spaceflight.
- To differentiate space-induced headaches from space motion sickness (SMS).
Main Methods:
- A survey using criteria from the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-II) was administered to astronauts.
- 17 astronauts (16 male, 1 female) participated in the study.
Main Results:
- 71% of astronauts reported experiencing headaches in space, with 76% not associated with SMS symptoms.
- Headaches were moderate to severe in 71% of cases.
- Specific headache types identified included migraine (12%) and tension-type (18%), with 70% classified as non-specific.
Conclusions:
- Spaceflight can trigger headaches independently of SMS in healthy astronauts.
- Space-induced headaches may represent a distinct entity among secondary headaches related to homeostasis disruption.
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