One of the common symptoms of dehydration is to experience a headache. Dehydration headaches feel different for everyone, but it is commonly described as a throbbing ache on both sides of the head that impedes physical activity. In more severe cases, dehydration can cause migraines as well.
What Causes Dehydration?
Your body is made up of 60-70% water and it is an essential component to perform numerous internal processes. Water helps transport nutrients around the body, aids in energizing the muscles, and keeps cells healthy and functional. It is also necessary for removing toxins from the body through the kidneys.
The cause of dehydration is simple: it’s when your body is losing more fluids than what you’re taking in. This impacts your body’s ability to function. It can be caused by intense exercise, drinking alcohol, too much sun exposure, sickness, and more.
If you’re dehydrated, you’ll see a few symptoms, including:
- Dry or sticky mouth
- Sleepiness
- Thirst
- Decreased urine
- Dry skin
- Headache
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
Dehydration and Headaches
Dehydration and headaches go hand in hand. It can feel like a dull pain behind your eyes and in the back of your skull. If you live in a warmer climate, then you’re likely accustomed to these headaches. Unfortunately, the pain from dehydration headaches isn’t stagnant – the more dehydrated you get, the more pain you will experience.
All forms of dehydration, even mild forms, can cause your brain to temporarily shrink. This is due to the lack of fluids in your brain tissues and the reduced blood flow to your brain. As it shrinks, it pulls itself away from the skull and creates a lot of tension and stress in that area, hence the headache.
Dehydration can cause more than just a headache too. It can lead to kidney stones, constipation, and cerebral edema. Other complications can include heatstroke, seizures, and even kidney failure. Getting plenty of fluids into the body will lessen the severity of a headache and the body will return to normal.
How to Cure Dehydration Headaches
Curing a dehydration headache is as simple as curing your dehydration. There are plenty of ways to rehydrate your body and brain. You can drink water, though this won’t replenish any electrolytes you may have lost while you were dehydrated.
If you do drink water, drink it at a slow and steady pace to help absorption. We recommend adding more than just water to the mix.
Using Magnesium for Headache Relief
Magnesium oxide, which can contain high levels of magnesium and is often used to treat migraines. You can take it in pill form, with a general recommended dosage of about 400 to 500 milligrams a day.
Magnesium can also be administered intravenously in the form of magnesium chloride. It helps relieve the tension caused by dehydration and helps your brain return to normal, faster.
Magnesium chloride is most frequently taken in a capsule or tablet to help soothe sore muscles and relieve muscle cramps. When given in an IV, it absorbs much faster and you’ll feel the effects almost immediately.
Taking Vitamin B12 to Fight the Post-Migraine Fatigue
Migraines often result in fatigue, depression, and low energy, which can make your symptoms worse. This is where B12 comes in.
Vitamin B12 helps form red blood cells, which are used to transport oxygen. The oxygen is then utilized for energy production, which helps fight fatigue. It also helps switch metabolism, which assists in your body absorbing the nutrients it needs to feel better.
When it comes to your mood, B12 helps synthesize and metabolize serotonin, the “feel good hormone.” Depression is known to cause tension headaches as well, which won’t help your dehydration symptoms. Vitamin B12 helps ensure that your tension isn’t caused or elevated by depression.
Where to Find Relief for Dehydration Headaches
Relief is easy to find, thankfully. You can sip on water and lay down in a cool environment, you can take supplements to absorb over a slow period, or you can call IV Revival for near-immediate relief. Their hydrating infusions are filled with anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea medication, and magnesium to help you get back on your feet quickly.
If you want to learn more or if you want to schedule an appointment, you can visit them online or give them a call at (602) 755-9525.