Nasal obstruction and headache. A real correlation?

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2004 Nov;68(11):1407-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2004.05.008.

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the relationships between headache and nasal obstruction or nasal allergy on a group of Italian school children.

Methods: One hundred twenty-six children suffering from headache, were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent an accurate clinical history, a complete ENT objective examination, an Anterior Active Rhinomanometry, an analysis of nasal mucociliary transport time and a skin test on the inner forearm.

Results: Nasal resistances were increased in 101 out of 105 of children (96.2%) affected by severe headache (group A) and in 5 out of 21 (23.8%) of those affected by sporadic headache (P < 0.0001), for an odds ratio of 80.0 (95% CI, 19-343). The analysis of mucociliary transport time offered results comparable with those of the Anterior Active Rhinomanometry.

Conclusions: Dysfunctions of nasal physiology, as stated by the alteration of nasal resistances and nasal mucociliary transport, seem to be able to affect the development and the characteristics of headaches; specifically we found that children with an altered nasal physiology have more severe and more frequent attacks of headache.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Allergens
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Headache / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mucociliary Clearance / physiology
  • Nasal Mucosa / physiopathology
  • Nasal Obstruction / physiopathology*
  • Rhinomanometry
  • Skin Tests

Substances

  • Allergens