Dehydration Headaches Causes, Symptoms And Remedies

Can dehydration cause headaches?

The short answer is yes, but it’s not so straightforward. Some people are more susceptible to dehydration headaches than others. While drinking enough fluids daily can help prevent dehydration headaches, it might be challenging to find a definitive, causative relationship between dehydration and headaches, per se.

So far, the exact cause of dehydration headaches is unknown. However, researchers postulate that dehydration can cause fluid to shift out of the brain, which can exert traction on the meninges (the lining around the brain), and stimulate the pain receptors.

There are some beverages with diuretics that you can avoid, such as coffee or tea. This is because coffee contains caffeine, which is a diuretic. Caffeine is known to “trigger” a migraine attack in different ways for different people.

What does a dehydration headache feel like?

Dehydration headache pain location can be at the front or back, and occasionally affect one side. Sometimes, dehydration headache can be felt throughout the whole head. Bending the head forward, other head movements, or even walking can worsen the headache. It can be a throbbing pain or constant pain, depending on how mild or severe the pain is.

Dehydration Headaches Symptoms

Here are some common dehydration headache symptoms:

• Dry mouth
• Dark-yellow pee
• Vertigo-like symptoms, like dizziness and delirium
• Fatigue
• Heat cramps
• Fainting spells
• Intense thirst

How Long Does A Dehydration Headache Last For?

For some, a dehydration headache may only last for a few hours while for others, it may last for approximately 30 minutes. However, the faster you drink water, the faster you can alleviate the dehydration headache symptoms.

How To Get Rid Of Dehydration Headaches?

Drinking 16 to 32 ounces of water should alleviate dehydration headaches within an hour or two. Severe or prolonged dehydration may require more fluids and lying down for several hours. If vomiting prevents you from drinking enough fluids, intravenous fluids may be necessary. It’s essential to stay hydrated during a migraine attack or any other headache, even if nausea is present. Sipping fluids every few minutes can help alleviate symptoms.

Also, be aware of the drier seasons, like summer. You will be more at risk of dehydration headaches when you do not consume water when the weather is hot. Observing some summer migraine relief tips will help you lower the risk of dehydration headaches. Ironically, you may also be at risk of dehydration headaches during colder weather as it may not be intuitive for you to drink sufficient water when the weather is cold.