By Merlin Hearn
Dehydration headaches can range from a simple head pain to an intense migraine. In many cases, the severity of a headache is based on how dehydrated your body is.
Dehydration occurs when your body loses more water than what you put in. It can creep up on you quickly or it may be a systemic condition that you don’t even realize you have.
The average-sized adult will stay hydrated by drinking about 64 ounces (2 quarts) of water a day. For every 25 pounds overweight you are, add another 8 ounces to that amount.
Also, if you are engaged in physical activity or live in a dry climate, this amount should be increased.
Dehydration headaches are quite common and are usually experienced in the front of the head or on either side.
A common symptom of a dehydration headache is an increase in pain when moving the head.
Researchers are not entirely sure why dehydration causes headaches, but some scientists believe that it is the result of blood vessels narrowing to account for the decrease in fluid.
This makes it harder for oxygen and blood to get to the brain, giving you a headache.
Fortunately, dehydration headaches are easily preventable. To prevent dehydration headaches, take these measures:
If dehydration has already occurred and you are experiencing a headache, drink 32 ounces of water slowly over the following hour and take a break from activity for one to two hours.
Your body can only utilize about 12 to 16 ounces of water at a time, so don’t try to drink the 32 ounces all at once. In addition, it is dangerous to drink too much water too fast.
If you were exercising for more than one hour, it may be necessary to also replenish electrolytes.
You can make a simple home-made electrolyte drink with fruit juice diluted 50-50 with clean water, and adding 1 tablespoon of natural sea salt (such as Celtic sea salt or Himalayan crystal salt) per quart of beverage.
Stay in a cool environment and rest, making sure that you are not sweating too much.
If the headache is severe and does not subside, you may need to call your doctor or go to urgent care, especially if you cannot keep down your fluids or if you are feeling ill. This is a sign that you may need medical help and intravenous fluids.
That being said, prevention is still the best treatment for dehydration headaches so make sure to drink enough water throughout the day.