OXYGEN HANGOVER?

On 10/9/05 9:24 AM, in article
t, "P.Corbett (ZZ)"
wrote:

wrote:
All,
I fly from an airfield that is over 6000 feet elevation, therefore I
use oxygen on most flights. I have found that I get a headache that
lasts for several hours following every flight. I use an EDS system
and have tried several different settings; everything from its maximum
setting which delivers oxygen when I'm sitting on the ground, up to
having it begin to deliver oxygen starting at 10,000 feet. When we
first moved here, it took a day or two to acclimate and the headache I
had then is the same as my post-flight symptoms as far as I can tell.
Has anyone experienced similar symptoms? I feel fine in the air and
immediately after the flight, but a half hour or so later I get the
headach. The only thing I can figure is that my physiology must be
sensitive to changes in oxygen levels. Any suggestions on something I
may be doing wrong? Something I can do to prevent my oxygen hangovers?
Thanks.

The fact that you are using oxygen implies that you are flying at high
altitudes and are therefore subjected to long descents. Even a moderate
decent RATE, maintained for a long time can result in sinus induced
headaches. When it comes to ocular induced headaches, wives tales are
not in short supply. If you have an eye problem which is causing
headaches, it would be evident even when on terra firma so I think it is
safe to rule out an eye problem. I am thinking sinuses here. Good luck.

Paul


All, this is not decompression sickness (unless the altitudes are routinely
above 25K: it's possible above 18K, but very unlikely and would not be
reliably repeating the same pattern). It's not your eyes, either. Sinuses
are unlikely, since you report symptoms beginning after return to ground
level (with sinus pressure symptoms, they would begin on descent).

It is almost certainly hypoxia-related, and you are suffering from good old
fashioned altitude sickness, which can take a while to resolve after return
to surface. Dehydration may contribute to that, but I recommend trying the
mask (as opposed to the cannula), starting the O's at a lower altitude, and
remaining VERY well hydrated. If you can manage to do so a pulse oximeter
would be a good idea.

Hypoxia/dehydration can trigger a migraine-like event which can present as
you describe, with the time delay you describe, and then take several hours
to resolve.

Oxygen doesn't have a hangover effect.

Bullwinkle, M.D.