Bloggers recommend just drinking water to get rid of headaches. Let’s see if this method actually helps.
When to call an ambulance
Call 103 or 112 if your headache occurs after an injury or occurs suddenly and seems too severe. Also call An ambulance is needed if there are other symptoms:
- problems with speech and memory;
- loss of consciousness;
- drowsiness;
- heat;
- redness in the eyes;
- loss of vision.
Conditions associated with these symptoms can be life-threatening. And water definitely won’t help here.
Take note ✍🏻
Can dehydration cause headaches?
Neither WHOnor International Headache Society They do not classify dehydration headache as a separate type.
However, the National Headache Foundation reports that this ailment May be one of the symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration.
The authors of one review also note that lack of water can lead to discomfort, but this observation is not good enough studied science. And how exactly is dehydration? causes The symptom is still unclear.
Does water help relieve headaches?
Authors of the randomized trial studied The effect of regular water intake on patients with recurrent headaches. They divided the experiment participants into two groups. The first subjects drank the same amount of water as usual. And patients from the second increased their daily intake by 1.5 liters. At the same time, everyone received recommendations for improving sleep and reducing stress.
After three months, 47% of participants in the group that drank more water reported that headache severity had decreased significantly. But its duration and frequency did not change in any way. In the control group, only 25% of patients reported improvements in their condition.
Based on the results of the study, the scientists themselves noted: there is a suspicion that it is useful for people with headaches to drink more water and eat. But to definitely state this, it is necessary to repeat the experiment. How this works for people who have no problems with headaches is not at all clear.
What besides water will help relieve headaches?
If your headache is due to dehydration, will be needed not water, but an oral rehydration solution. It contains the required amount of salt, sugar and minerals. This helps replenish fluid in the body to maintain normal organ function.
You can also undertake a few more steps:
- Rest. Take a break from physical activity. If you’re in the sun, try relaxing in a cool, shady spot.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. For example, ibuprofen or aspirin are suitable.
- Apply a cold compress to your head. This could be an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel or a rag dampened with water.
When do you need to see a doctor for a headache?
Worth seeing a therapist sign upIf:
- headache returns periodically;
- Painkillers don’t help or you feel like you’re taking too many pills to relieve the pain;
- pain throbbing in the front or side of the head;
- nausea or vomiting begins;
- It hurts to look at the light.
Find out more about headaches 🤕🌡️🤒