Dehydration Headache: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Headaches are a common health problem that almost everybody experiences at some point in life. They can be a minor bother or a severe pain that makes it hard to do everyday tasks. There are many reasons for headache, but dehydration is one important cause that people often miss. This is one of those headaches that people often do not know about, yet it is somewhat uncomfortable. A dehydration headache is what happens when the body lacks enough fluids. Together with other signs of dehydration, such as dizziness, being excessively thirsty, and having a dry mouth, a headache usually accompanies these symptoms. It usually improves with rest, taking some pain relief, and drinking water.

What is a Dehydration Headache?

Dehydration headaches are those headaches that occur because of a shortage of water supply. Any human body is essentially water, and a good balance of water in the body is very important before a body can function correctly. When a person fails to replace the lost fluids from sweating, urinating, and breathing through water consumption, the body dehydrates. This dehydration can bring about a headache. Home treatment includes resting, drinking water, and medications that patients can purchase over the counter to help alleviate dehydration headaches. Take any person who has symptoms of extreme dehydration to the doctor at the soonest possible time because of symptoms such as disorientation and dizziness.

Can Dehydration Cause Headaches?

Yes, dehydration causes headaches. In order to understand how dehydration causes headaches, one needs to take into consideration the chemical structure of the brain and how the body’s fluids work. To protect the brain, there exists a protective membrane known as the meninges. It houses blood arteries carrying oxygen and nutrients that penetrate into the brain, and contains very sensitive nerve fibers.

Lowered blood pressure also occurs because blood flow decreases when the body loses fluids. In this case, to compensate for the lower blood flow, the arteries in the brain constrict. This constricting can lead to a headache resulting from dehydration, as the brain sends out pain signals. Electrolyte imbalances due to dehydration may also exacerbate headaches.

Causes of Dehydration Headache

Several reasons cause dehydration headaches. The first one, obviously, is inadequate intake of fluids for the body’s needs. Some of the most common causes of dehydration headaches are as follows:

• Excessive Sweating – Physical activities that make a person sweat a lot, like intense workouts, fever, or hot weather, can result in fast fluid loss, causing dehydration-related headaches.
• Alcohol and Caffeine – They are diuretics. Overindulging in these liquids results in increased urination and ultimately leads to a loss of fluids. When the intake of these liquids exceeds limits, the result is dehydration.
• Diarrhea – A person can rapidly lose a great deal of water and electrolytes if they become sick with acute, severe diarrhea.
• Urinating – Some medical conditions may cause a person to urinate more than normal, such as undiagnosed or untreated diabetes. In addition, many drugs, including diuretics and several blood pressure medications, can lead to a person urinating more often.

Dehydration Headache Symptoms

Dehydration headaches may have symptoms, which can be mild or severe. It is essential to know these symptoms so that early intervention and proper treatment may be made. Common symptoms of a dehydration headache include:

• Throbbing or pounding head, often on both sides of the head.
• Sensitivity to light and sound.
• Dry mouth and dry skin.
• Extreme thirst 
• Reduced appetite
• Fatigue and weakness.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Losing consciousness or fainting (syncope). In difficult situations of dehydration, this occurs.
• Dark yellow urine or infrequent urination.
• Nausea and sometimes vomiting.
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly.

Seek a doctor right away if a child has symptoms of a dehydration headache. Dehydrated babies and children often look pale, feel weak, or become very tired. They may have fewer wet diapers or urinate less often than usual. Get medical attention immediately.

Risk Factors for Dehydration

• Causes of dehydration headaches in adults: Some people are more prone to developing dehydration headaches.
• Young People and the Elderly – Dehydration happens often in older people and children. When children have a fever, they lose more fluids than adults. Older people hold onto 15% less water than younger adults.
• Strenuous Physical Activity – Athletes and people doing hard physical activities are more at risk of dehydration, especially if they do not drink enough fluids.
• Chronic Illness – Vomiting, diarrhea, and fever-causing illnesses may progress to dehydration relatively quickly due to fluid loss resulting from these symptoms.
• People in high altitudes – Over 8,000 feet above sea level, dehydration is common due to reduced atmospheric oxygen content as well as arid atmospheric air. Due to this environment, they are apt to breathe more deeply and rapidly in an effort to get the sufficient oxygen supply their bodies require for proper physiological activity. This leads them to lose even more water than normal.

Dehydration Headache Treatment

Dehydration headache treatment involves rehydrating the body to restore proper fluid balance. The steps below can help reduce the pain and discomfort associated with dehydration headaches:

• Drink Water: Drinking water is the most quick and effective way to cure a dehydration headache. Try to take small sips throughout the day, gradually increasing your fluid intake.
• Ice to relieve the pain: You can apply ice by covering the head with a cold pack. An alternative is applying a wet, cold washcloth to the forehead.
• Oral Hydration Solutions: For acute dehydration, oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes and glucose may help restore electrolytes in the body. These can be bought off the counter and are especially useful when dehydrating due to conditions such as vomiting and diarrhea.
• Rest: Resting in a calm, dark, and cool environment can ease headache symptoms. Avoid strenuous activities until the headache subsides.

Home Remedies for Dehydration Headache

Besides the above traditional treatment methods, several home remedies can help relieve dehydration headache. The following are dehydration headache remedies:

• Coconut Water – Electrolyte-rich coconut water can naturally rehydrate the body.
• Water-Rich Foods – To enhance fluid intake, you can consume some water-rich foods, such as watermelon, cucumber, and oranges.
• Cold Compress – Applying a cold compress to the forehead or back of the neck will ease the pain.
• Avoid Alcohol and Caffeinated Beverages – Dehydration is much more likely because alcohol and caffeine both stimulate urine production. Therefore, avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages when having a headache with dehydration.

Dehydration Headache Prevention

To prevent the throbbing pain a dehydration headache produces, it’s necessary to prevent dehydration headaches in the first place. Here are some tips for keeping one hydrated:

• Make it a habit to drink water all day. The amount of water you need each day can be different for everyone, but about 8-10 glasses is a good goal.
• The color of your urine can show how well-hydrated you are. You should aim for light yellow, straw-colored urine, which means you are hydrated properly.
• If you plan to do physical activities or exercise, drink enough water before you start.
• Restrict alcohol and caffeine-containing beverages, especially in warm weather or for people who do strenuous physical activity.
• Make sure to take in fluid-dense foods in addition to increasing one’s fluid intake.

Conclusion

Dehydration often undervalues headaches. They can be a considerable source of headache and pain if not identified or diagnosed. Symptoms and signs can be used to understand their cause and how to prevent them. In the event of a dehydration headache, pain could be manageable when you drink fluids and use treatment as recommended. Staying hydrated is also crucial because it will prevent headaches, but it also generally keeps you healthy.

At Eclipse Specialty Clinic in Dubai, our experts, including Dr. Hafsath Ahmed Padayan, provides comprehensive care for effective headache management.