Recurrent headaches are a common condition at many ages, directly affecting working ability, concentration and quality of life. Many people often think that the cause stems from stress, lack of sleep, prolonged work with electronic devices or potential health problems. However, according to experts, a very simple but often overlooked cause is not drinking enough water every day.
According to Ms. Edwina Raj, Head of Clinical Nutrition and Diet Services at Aster CMI Hospital (Bangalore, India), the human body is very sensitive to dehydration. Among organs, the brain is most clearly affected because about 75% of the brain's structure is water. Just mild dehydration can cause obvious symptoms, in which headaches are a common manifestation.
When the body is not provided with enough water, brain tissue can temporarily contract, creating pressure on nerves and surrounding tissues. This causes patients to feel headaches, headache, or discomfort. Due to the silent process inside the body, many people do not realize the link between the habit of drinking less water and recurrent headaches.
Dehydration also reduces blood circulation. When the body is hydrated, blood circulation is better, helping to effectively supply oxygen to the brain. Conversely, dehydration can reduce blood volume, limit the amount of oxygen reaching the brain, thereby causing headaches, fatigue, dizziness and reduced concentration.
In addition, water plays an important role in maintaining electrolyte balance, including minerals such as sodium and potassium. These are necessary factors for nerve and muscle activity. When the body is dehydrated, electrolytes are easily disturbed, leading to symptoms such as headache, weakness, feeling of "brain fog" and temporary memory decline. This condition is often seen in people who exercise a lot, sweat a lot but do not replenish enough water or use too much caffeine-containing drinks.
Drinking enough water also supports the process of eliminating waste and toxins. When dehydrated, kidney function works ineffectively, making the body easily fall into a state of fatigue, weakness and increasing the risk of prolonged headaches.
In addition, unscientific living habits such as skipping meals, irregular eating, stressful work and drinking a lot of caffeine can make dehydration headaches worse.
For migraines, water is not a treatment, but many people find the frequency and severity of the pain reduced when maintaining the habit of drinking enough water every day.
According to Edwina Raj, recurrent headaches do not always originate from complex pathologies. In many cases, the cause is simply prolonged dehydration. Drinking enough water every day is a simple, low-risk solution but can help significantly reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.
