THE headache It is one of the most common health problems faced by many people in their daily lives.
The headache may be due to different factors, from anxiety and bad posture to the body to stress and neurological diseases.
However, one reason we often overlook is dehydration.
OR dehydration It happens when the body loses more liquids than it receives, so it cannot function properly.
Water is essential for any cell, tissue and organ, and its lack can cause various symptoms, including a headache.
How dehydration causes a headache
When the body is dehydrated, the blood volume decreases, which can lead to a decrease in blood flow and oxygen to the brain. This in turn causes the dilation of the blood vessels and, ultimately, a headache.
Also, dehydration affects the balance of electrolytes in the body, which can exacerbate symptoms.
What are the warning signs
There are some signs that can help you to distinguish a dehydration -caused headache, from other types of headache:
- Dry mouth and thirst: If you feel thirsty or your mouth dry, you are very likely to be dehydrated.
- Dark urine: Dark yellow urine is an indication that your body needs more liquids.
- Feeling fatigue or dizziness: dehydration can cause weakness, dizziness and confusion.
- Cephaligia with movement: If the headache gets worse when you get up or walk, it may mean you don’t drink enough liquids.
- Head tightening: Headaches caused by dehydration often look like a pressure or tightening that spreads throughout the head, and not at a specific point.
What to do
If you suspect your headache is due to dehydration, the simplest solution is to drink water. Start with one or two glasses and see if you feel better in the next few minutes. If you feel relieved, then you probably had dehydration.
You can also consume foods that are rich in electrolytes (eg banana), especially if dehydration was caused by intense exercise or excessive sweating.
In addition, it is advisable to avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine, as there are two drinks that can aggravate dehydration and headache.
Prevention is always better than treatment. To avoid dehydration:
- Make sure you drink enough water in the day (at least 6-8 glasses).
- Increase fluid intake when the temperature has climbed to heights or when doing physical activity.
- You consume foods with a high water content, such as fruits and vegetables.
- At the same time, make sure you always have a bottle of water with you next to your office. Each cell in the body depends on water, so it is important to consume plenty of fluids on a daily basis.
Although dehydration -caused headaches usually subside with adequate hydration, medical assistance may be required in some cases. So if the headache is persistent, it is accompanied by fever, nausea or light sensitivity, then you should contact your personal doctor for further advice.