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Ask An Expert: Headache and Dehydration
Question:
Can dehydration cause headaches?
Answer:
Yes, insufficient water intake can cause headaches. Some people are much more prone to headaches related to dehydration than others. Those who are more susceptible learn to avoid the headaches by making sure they drink enough fluids daily.
Water-deprivation headache can cause pain throughout the head or it can be more localized to the front, back or less often is a one-sided headache. The head pain tends to intensify by bending the head down or other head movements. Even walking can make the headache worse.
The exact cause of dehydration headaches is unknown. The brain itself does not have pain receptors. Dehydration headache is possibly triggered by pain receptors in the lining around the brain, called the meninges. Lower pressure inside the arteries that supply blood to the meninges could stimulate the pain receptors.
Water-deprivation headache caused by simply not drinking enough fluids during the day should respond within an hour or two to drinking 16 to 32 ounces of water. Longer or more severe dehydration will require more fluids and lying down for several hours. If dehydration is very severe and vomiting prevents adequate oral fluid replacement, intravenous fluids may be needed to relieve the headache.
Of note, the headache of migraine attack can be prolonged if the person is not adequately hydrated. Even if you have nausea with a migraine attack, you should try to sip a little fluid every few minutes at the onset of symptoms.
Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications. He is recognized as an outstanding clinician and teacher and is a recipient of the Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine continues to practice Internal Medicine; most recently he became a hospitalist after practicing primary care for over 20 years.
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| Last updated: | January 24, 2007 |
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Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
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