Flight-Associated Headaches—Prevalence and Characteristics

Abstract

Environmental factors in airplanes may precipitate headaches. We conducted a questionnaire-based study among consecutive travellers to determine the rate, severity and duration of flight-associated headaches (FAHA). Of the 906 eligible travellers (mean age 33.3 ± 13.8 years), 22.3% reported headaches at least once per month. FAHA occurred in 52 travellers (5.7%), of whom 34 were women ( P = 0.0023 vs. none FAHA). The duration of pain was 4.0 ± 10.2 h after takeoff and continued for 5.7 ± 14.2 h after landing. Migraine was diagnosed in 19.2% of those with FAHA. The magnitude of headache was 6 ± 2 (on a scale of 1-10). Among those who suffer from FAHA, 45.4% reported that their pain was unilateral, in contrast to 72.7% among those with ‘non-flight’ headaches ( P = 0.019). Nine travellers had headaches when descending to −400 m below sea level, and nine upon climbing to high altitude. This preliminary observation indicates that FAHA is not uncommon and should be further investigated.