Bloggers recommend simply drinking water to get rid of a headache. Let’s find out if this method really helps.
Can dehydration cause headaches?
Neither the WHO nor the International Headache Society classify dehydration headache as a separate type.
However, the National Headache Foundation reports that this discomfort can be one of the symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration .
One review also notes that lack of water can lead to discomfort, but this observation has not been well studied by science. And how exactly dehydration causes the symptom is still unclear.
Does water help relieve headaches?
The authors of a randomized study examined the effect of regular water intake on patients with recurring headaches. They divided the participants into two groups. The subjects in the first group drank the same amount of water as usual. And the patients in the second group increased their daily consumption by 1.5 liters. At the same time, everyone received recommendations for improving sleep and reducing stress.
After three months, 47% of the participants in the group who drank more water reported that the severity of their headaches had significantly decreased. But their duration and frequency did not change at all. In the control group, only 25% of patients reported improvements in their condition.
Following the results of the study, the scientists themselves noted: there is a suspicion that people with headaches benefit from drinking more water . But to definitely state this, the experiment needs to be repeated. How this works with people who do not have problems with headaches is not clear at all.
What besides water can help relieve a headache?
If your headache is due to dehydration, you will need an oral rehydration solution instead of water. It contains the necessary amount of salt, sugar, and minerals. This helps to replenish the body’s fluid supply to maintain normal organ function.
There are also a few other things you can do to help relieve your headache :
- Rest. Take a break from physical activity. If you are in the sun , try to relax in a cool, shady place.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever , such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
- Apply a cold compress to your head. This can be an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel or a cloth soaked in water.
When to see a doctor about a headache
You should make an appointment with a therapist if:
- headache returns periodically;
- painkillers don’t help or you feel like you’re taking too many pills to relieve the pain;
- pain pulsates in the front or side of the head;
- nausea or vomiting begins;
- It hurts to look at the light.