Allrite From Australia, joined Aug 2007, 1409 posts, RR: 4 Posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 8988 times:
Reuters is reporting (SMH) on a study that estimates that more than 100 million people suffer from flight-associated headaches annually.
I can certainly attest to this, having suffered four such episodes on long-haul flights, two of them extreme.
Quote: 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.
RNOcommctr From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 825 posts, RR: 4 Reply 1, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 8983 times:
If you have congested sinuses or allergies, the change in pressurization can definitely cause a headache. Another possible cause is the relatively poor air quality inside commercial aircraft. Yet another cause could be dehydration... lots of people don't drink much while flying because of the hassle of going to the lav...
Starlionblue From Hong Kong, joined Feb 2004, 15869 posts, RR: 66 Reply 3, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 8959 times:
While the science is appreciated, this comes as no surprise. Dehydration is a common cause of headaches on the ground, and flying in a pressurized airliner easily leads to dehydration. Add a lower oxygen level and the stress of travel...
Quoting RNOcommctr (Reply 1): Another possible cause is the relatively poor air quality inside commercial aircraft.
A bit of a myth that. AFAIK the air circulates more than in an office building. Of course if the company is skimping on air pack maintenance it's another story...
"There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots." - from Citadel by John Ringo
USAIRWAYS321 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1806 posts, RR: 10 Reply 5, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 8880 times:
It makes sense scientifically, especially the dehydration issue. I don't frequently get headaches from flying, though.
777DEN From United States of America, joined Dec 2006, 124 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 8837 times:
headaches are a common symptom of altitude sickness and for someone acclimated to near sealevel, altitudes 8000 ft can be more than enough to bring on altitude sickness, especially on longer flights. I live W of Denver and lots of visitors to the rocky mountain sky resorts have problems for the first 24-48 hours after arriving at housing to 7-9000 ft.
Aeroweanie From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 1600 posts, RR: 52 Reply 7, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 8814 times:
It took me a good 15 years to figure it out, but I am very susceptible to altitude sickness. Starting in my mid-20s, every time I flew commercially, I started to experience the same symptoms - headache, nausea and generally feeling awful. Previously, I had flown myself quite a bit, going as high as 11,000 feet without problems.
Finally, on a trip to Maui, we drove to the top of Haleakala (10,000 feet) and I experienced the same symptoms. This gave me the clue as to what was happening.
In my case, I discovered that drinking coffee before a flight could prevent the symptoms. I was not a coffee drinker, but drank a Frappuccino before a flight and realized that I felt great. I have used this technique on many domestic flights and to cross the Pacific three times and it usually works well.
Since then, I have been to high altitude areas of Tibet (9,000 feet to 12,500 feet) twice without problems, the second time for two weeks. On both trips, I acclimatized using Diamox (Acetazolamide) and this has done the trick.
I am looking forward to flying on the 787, as the cabin will be pressurized to 6,000 feet, rather than 8,000 feet. This should be a lot more comfortable for me.
Themightydude From United States of America, joined Jul 2008, 28 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 8809 times:
To my knowledge, I only remember having a headache twice on a flight.
I've been flying in airliners since I was 2, and have been flying myself in a Beech Sport since I was 17. (23 now).
YWG From Canada, joined Feb 2001, 1140 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 8756 times:
As a passenger, i always drink alot of water. Have yet to get sick.
As a pilot, I did have an issue with my headset and sunglasses pushing against my temples. I use to wear Oakley "Gascan's" and combined with DC's noise canceling headset, would push on just the right spot that it would drive me crazy (with a headache) on longer flights. The solution: a nice pair of ray bans.
Tito From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 124 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 8699 times:
It used to be very common for me to get headaches flying and I discovered that in my case it was due to dehydration.
I actively drink water and that solves the problem (if you wait until you are feeling thirsty its too late).
Tdscanuck From Canada, joined Jan 2006, 12709 posts, RR: 81 Reply 11, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 8673 times:
Quoting Tito (Reply 10): It used to be very common for me to get headaches flying and I discovered that in my case it was due to dehydration.
Same situation for me...I learned a long time ago that, by far, the number one reason for me to have a headache is dehydration. If I stay up on my water, no problems.
HKA From Canada, joined Jan 2006, 147 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 8619 times:
I have read in number of flight magazines that drinking water helps and also doing some streching during flight.
However, if every passenger followed the above rules, there won't be enough water or beverages for all. I think it is "good" for the airlines that majority of the passengers don't drink that much water as they are supposed to, otherwise the aircarft will have to carry so much water !
Cofee may help but I heard it actually dehydrates you.
Also, I have noticed that on some flights, it is a bit chilly. I personally like the cabin a bit warm or cozy.
Starlionblue From Hong Kong, joined Feb 2004, 15869 posts, RR: 66 Reply 13, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 8610 times:
Quoting HKA (Reply 12):
However, if every passenger followed the above rules, there won't be enough water or beverages for all. I think it is "good" for the airlines that majority of the passengers don't drink that much water as they are supposed to, otherwise the aircarft will have to carry so much water !
I don't know if that is really a problem.
I liked the AA Business and First method. Hand out a nice ½ liter bottle of Evian to everyone.
Quoting HKA (Reply 12): Cofee may help but I heard it actually dehydrates you.
Indeed. Coffee is a stimulant so it will help with a headache in many cases. However net net it dehydrates you (more).
Quoting HKA (Reply 12):
Also, I have noticed that on some flights, it is a bit chilly. I personally like the cabin a bit warm or cozy.
Warm and cozy is a bad idea. In turbulence, cool cabin leads to less vomit. If you are cool, you can always use a blanket. If you are warm, there's not much you can do.
"There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots." - from Citadel by John Ringo
WESTERN737800 From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 684 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (4 years 8 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 8498 times:
Quoting RNOcommctr (Reply 1): Yet another cause could be dehydration... lots of people don't drink much while flying because of the hassle of going to the lav...
Agreed whenever I fly I try to bulk up on water before I go and I try to take some with me whenever possible. Having water on board can make a long day a lot shorter.
Kimberlyrj From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2008, 385 posts, RR: 1 Reply 16, posted (4 years 8 months 1 week 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 8394 times:
Hey all,
When I am working on a flight I don’t tend to get headaches at all, but if I am a passenger half the time on short haul flights I get headache’s which tend to go shortly after landing.
I often fly from Southampton with FlyBE and with their Q400’s I get real bad headaches if I am sat near the engine’s so I always ask for seats at the rear.
I must admit on shorter flights I tend to find the pressurization of the Airbus aircraft is better then the Boeing, it’s more gradual which is easier on the ears and head.
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