A new study has shed light on the prevalence of headaches experienced by astronauts during space missions. The research, conducted by a team led by neurologist WPJ van Oosterhout, involved 24 astronauts from the U.S., European, and Japanese space agencies who spent up to 26 weeks aboard the International Space Station.
Higher Than Expected Headache Occurrence
The study found that all but two of the astronauts reported experiencing headaches in space, a larger proportion than the researchers had anticipated based on prior anecdotal evidence. In total, 378 headaches were reported by 22 of the 24 astronauts during a cumulative 3,596 days in orbit.
Varying Headache Types and Potential Causes
The headaches experienced by the astronauts varied in nature, with some resembling migraines and others resembling tension headaches. The study found that headaches occurring during the early period of space travel, typically the first one to two weeks, often presented as migraine-like, potentially due to the body’s adaptation to microgravity, a process known as space adaptation syndrome.
In contrast, headaches experienced later in space travel tended to resemble tension headaches, which the researchers hypothesize could result from an increase in intracranial pressure caused by fluid accumulation in the upper body and head due to microgravity.
Distinguishing Headache Types
Van Oosterhout explained the differences between migraine and tension-type headaches on Earth, stating that migraines are often throbbing and pulsating, lasting four to seven hours and accompanied by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity to light and sound. Tension-type headaches, on the other hand, typically present as a dull pain felt over the entire head without those additional symptoms.
Implications for Long-Duration Space Travel
While the study focused on short-term space missions, it raises questions about the potential effects of long-duration space travel on human health. Van Oosterhout acknowledged that the impacts of extended exposure to microgravity, possibly for years, on the human body are still unknown, highlighting the importance of continued research in the field of space medicine.
The study’s findings contribute to the growing understanding of the challenges astronauts face during space missions and underscore the need for further investigation into mitigating and addressing these health concerns as humanity pursues more ambitious space exploration goals.
