Why does dehydration cause headaches

In some places, there may be no access to safe drinking water which can exacerbate the situation. Being sick with a fever can also worsen a situation where you are losing fluids and electrolytes through diarrhea and vomiting. It is likely that everyone will experience at least mild dehydration at some point in their lives. Nevertheless, some people are at higher risk of getting dehydrated, including:. These factors can be further compounded by chronic disease and mobility problems that make it harder for them to get water for themselves such as people who:.

The pain from a dehydration headache can be located at the front, back, side, or all over the head. You will likely not feel facial pain or pressure, as you would with a sinus headache. Dehydration can occur because thirst is not always a reliable early indicator of your body asking for water. Since dehydration is the root cause of your headache, it is important to rehydrate as well as relieve the pain.

Therefore, to treat the dehydration you should:. To treat the pain and get fast relief, you can take over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Prevention is the best treatment for a dehydration headache.

The simple act of remembering to drink enough water can allow you to avoid unpleasant headaches and any medical interventions. So plan ahead and make sure you have water with you and drink it in your everyday routine. Make sure you hydrate in advance of any sporting or active event and see if you can avoid being outside during the hottest times of the day. Taking this proactive approach to prevention before you feel thirst is the best way to reduce the likelihood of suffering from a dehydration headache.

Medical research has shown that drinking sufficiently can at least reduce the intensity and duration of dehydration headaches. The initial symptoms of dehydration include thirst and minor discomfort, but can also include the following prior to, or during a dehydration headache:. A decrease in urine output, and urine that is dark or amber in color, is also a sign of dehydration. Severe dehydration can lead to low blood pressure, swelling of the tongue, unconsciousness, and even death in the most extreme cases.

Seek medical attention right away if you experience extreme thirst, feeling unusually tired lethargic or confused, have a not passed urine for eight hours, have a rapid heartbeat, or experience dizziness when you stand up that doesn't go away after a few seconds. The key to avoiding a dehydration headache is by staying hydrated. Most people need 4 to 6 cups of water per day, though some may need to drink more or less.

During exercise or exposure to hot weather, you will need to drink more fluids to replace the water lost through sweat. You can also help maintain an adequate fluid intake by eating foods that are naturally high in water content, such as vegetables and fruits. Coffee and alcohol are bad choices since both act as diuretics.

These types of beverages promote urination and fluid loss, and can cause or exacerbate dehydration and headaches. If someone is chronically dehydrated, they may not always feel thirsty before becoming dehydrated. That's why it's important to listen to the body in other ways and look for dry skin, dark urine, dry eyes, and other signs. If you experience a dehydration headache, increase your fluid intake, replace lost electrolytes with a sports drink, decrease your physical activity and avoid heat to reduce sweating.

You keep going despite the drought in your mouth until, suddenly, pain radiates across your forehead. Learn more below. A dehydration headache is exactly what it sounds like: a headache caused by a lack of fluids in the body.

Headaches are a common symptom of dehydration, even if it is only mild to moderate. In fact, being dehydrated can also trigger other types of headaches, including migraines. Every day, our body is stuck in a battle to retain the right balance of water and electrolytes, to make sure it can function properly. If your body does become dehydrated, you may experience a variety of different symptoms, including increased thirst, a dry mouth, dark colored urine, fatigue or dizziness — and, of course, a headache.

If you experience a dehydration headache, it is because your body has lost too much fluid. Because headaches are a common symptom of many different conditions, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out whether the pain in your head is being caused by dehydration or by something else.

Pinpointing the location of your headache pain may offer some clues. Dehydration headaches may cause pain on all sides of your head, while a migraine may only cause intense pain on one side of the head and will often be accompanied by symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or light and sound sensitivity.

Another simple way to identify a dehydration headache is to check for other common dehydration symptoms. If you suspect that you have a dehydration headache, you will likely also experience some or all of these symptoms in addition to your headache: 2.

You probably already know the laundry list of reasons why drinking water is essential for our everyday health: it helps flush out toxins, regulates our body temperature, protects important tissues and joints in the body, and much more. Yes, the first thing to do if you feel dehydration pain sweeping across your forehead is to reach for some water to help replace those lost fluids and balance electrolytes.

Many sports drinks are high in sugar or salt and will not adequately restore your electrolyte balance. In fact, some of these drinks may actually increase your dehydration. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, this may change depending on your body size, environment or the amount that you exercise daily.

Learn more about headache prevention techniques. Of course, the first step to getting rid of your dehydration headache is drinking water. For some, headache relief starts in 15 minutes — so you can get back to your day fast. Always use medication as directed. References: headache relief , headache prevention , hydration.