Space flight appeared to provoke headaches in healthy astronauts, a prospective study showed. According to a study conducted by Willebrordus P. J. van Oosterhout, MD, PhD, of Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, and co-authors, 91.7% of the 24 astronauts who participated in long-haul space flights experienced at least one headache during their missions. These episodes occurred during a total of 3,596 space days. The majority of these headaches (89.9%) were tension-type headaches, and the remaining 10.1% were classified as migraines.
The study noted that episodes of headaches within the first week of space travel were more likely to have a migraine phenotype, while those occurring in later periods were more likely to be tension-type headaches. It was suggested that the body’s need to adapt to a lack of gravity in the initial stages of space travel, which is labeled as space adaptation syndrome, could be a contributing factor to these headaches. The later headaches could be a result of increased intracranial pressure due to fluid accumulation in the upper part of the body and head as a consequence of microgravity.
Brain Changes Associated with Long Space Flight Durations
Prior research has pointed out several brain changes linked with extended space flight durations. Changes in the eye and brain have been observed, and there is evidence of a significant expansion of combined brain and cerebrospinal fluid volumes during long space flights. The study involved 24 astronauts from different space agencies who were part of International Space Station expeditions lasting up to 26 weeks. The participants were monitored from November 2011 until June 2018.
According to the study, the mean age of the astronauts was around 47, and the majority of the group were male. Prior to their space flights, some astronauts reported a history of headaches, while others claimed to have never experienced headaches affecting their daily activities. During the mission, the astronauts were required to provide daily reports during the first week of space flight and weekly reports until the end of the expedition. A total of 378 headache episodes were reported, with a median individual headache frequency of nine.
In the study, it was noted that more than half of the astronauts used acute anti-headache medication to alleviate their symptoms. Additionally, some participants resorted to other medications and alternative treatments to manage their headaches during space travel. Interestingly, in the three months following their return to Earth, none of the astronauts reported experiencing any headaches. This finding raises questions about the possible environmental or physiological factors contributing to headaches in space.
As mentioned by van Oosterhout and colleagues, further research is crucial to uncover the underlying causes of space headaches and how these findings could offer insights into headaches experienced on Earth. By delving deeper into the impact of space travel on astronauts’ health, scientists and healthcare professionals can develop strategies to mitigate these health issues, thereby ensuring the well-being of individuals embarking on extended space missions.
The study sheds light on the unexpected occurrence of headaches in astronauts during space travel, highlighting the need for continuous research to better understand and address the health challenges faced by individuals in the challenging environment of outer space.