Headaches From Dehydration

DEHYDRATION AS A CAUSE OF HEADACHES

Headaches from dehydration are surprisingly common.

There are many causes of dehydration, including the following:

• Poor hydration - not drinking enough water

• Fever

• Exercise without proper hydration

• Aging

• Excessive sweating

• Vomiting and diarrhea

• Certain medications (especially diuretics or "water pills" like Lasix or hydrochlorothiazide)

• Kidney problems

• Extensive burns

• Endocrine disorders like excessive urination, poorly controlled diabetes, or the inability to regulate bodily fluids, as in Addison's disease and diabetes insipidus

• Electrolyte disorders

• Drinking too much alcohol without rehydrating with water

  
  

How Does Dehydration Cause Headaches?

When a person is dehydrated, constriction of blood vessels decreases blood flow to the brain, causing cells to shrink and a subsequent pull on the meninges (the outer covering of the brain) and skull. This "pull" causes nerve pain and headaches. Dehydration causes sensitivity to pain because it affects our nervous system. Often these headaches become worse when a person moves their head.

Rehydration, often with an electrolyte solution, is the key to getting rid of this headache. After that, the headache should last only one to two hours.

If you get headaches fairly often, try hydrating more. It would be an easy solution if that were the answer to your headaches.

A Headache After Exercise

Other Symptoms of Dehydration

If you are concerned about dehydration, look for other symptoms as well:

• Dry mouth or intense thirst

• Fatigue or dizziness

• Dark-colored urine

• Muscle cramps

• Tenting on the skin of your hands (if the skin stands,instead of recoiling, up on your hand after you pinch it)

Treating Dehydration

• Treat the Underlying Cause:

  • Work with a healthcare provider to treat endocrine and medication issues

• Hydrate

  • Slowly drink two to three glasses of water. Consider sugarless electrolyte solutions (sugar can increase a headache).

  • Do not drink alcohol without simultaneously hydrating with water.

  • Instead of counting cups or ounces, drink enough water until your urine is straw-colored (signs of adequate hydration)

  • Eating too much salt

  
  

  
  

  Dehydration Q&A

  
  

  How much water should I drink every day?

  The daily recommended water intake is different for every individual. It depends on your gender, your age, activity level, climate, and your overall health. According to Medical News Today, for healthy adults, the recommended guidelines for daily water intake is as follows:

  Men: About 3.7 liters (or 130 ounces) per day

  Women: About 2.7 liters (or 95 ounces) per day

  
  

  You can also calculate your daily water needs with the following equation:

  weight x 0.5 = oz of water per day

  For example:

  200lbs x 0.5 = 100 oz per day

  
  

  Another rule of thumb is to keep an eye i the color of your urine: A hydrated person normally has straw-colored urine.

  As a general rule, eight cups of water a day should be sufficient, but again, it depends on many other circumstances.

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  Is there any such thing as drinking too much water? There is actually a condition known as "water intoxication" (also known as overhydration, water poisoning, and hyperhydration). This can be caused by drinking excessive amounts of water—or becoming overhydrated due to certain medical conditions—which can lead to life-threatening electrolyte imbalances.

  Other underlying conditions that can cause water toxicity include: Congestive heart failure • Liver or kidney disease • High blood sugar levels • SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion) • Thyroid and adrenal disorders, such as Addison’s disease • Certain medications (e.g., hormone therapies, diuretics, antidepressants, and drugs affecting kidney function) • The illicit drug ecstasy

  Symptoms of overhydration may include: Nausea and vomiting, confusion, muscle crampsor weakness, fatigue, lethargy, edema or "puffiness" commonly of the hands, feet, or face, increased blood pressure, seizures or coma   

  
  

  How much water is too much water? This depends on underlying health conditions, medications, your lifestyle, and your size. A healthy adult with an ideal body weight should generally drink no more than 10 cups of water daily

  
  
  
  

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