If you get headaches and migraines, then you probably know how important it is to stay hydrated. But sometimes water isn’t enough for migraine sufferers who need to make sure they always have key minerals topped off like sodium, calcium, and potassium. Electrolyte Drinks for Migraines can help when you are looking for Natural Headache Relief.
If you get headaches and migraines, then you probably know how important it is to stay hydrated. But sometimes water isn’t enough for migraine sufferers who need to make sure they always have key minerals topped off like sodium, calcium, and potassium. Electrolyte Drinks for Migraines can help when you are looking for Natural Headache Relief.
Electrolyte Drinks for Migraines
A simple electrolyte drink might be able to help you fight your migraine, whether from a hangover or dehydration. What are electrolytes? Simply put, they’re natural minerals in our body. When we sweat from being outside or have a fever, our electrolytes tend to be thrown off balance which causes us to feel fatigued. Read ahead to find out which drinks will help combat fatigue and headaches.
Do Electrolyte Drinks Help with Migraines?
Electrolyte drinks help with migraines only if the headache is caused by dehydration. The best way to prevent dehydration headaches is to drink plenty of water each day and stay away from diuretics like caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco.
A dehydration headache is the second most common type of headache, behind tension headaches. They can range from mild to severe, and are often accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, lightheadedness, and dizziness. Dehydration occurs when your body doesn’t have enough fluids to function properly.
This can happen if you’re losing fluids more quickly than you’re taking them in, such as through sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. It can also occur simply by not drinking enough fluids throughout the day. electrolyte drinks can help to rehydrate the body and relieve dehydration headaches. However, if you’re experiencing migraines or other severe headaches, it’s important to see a doctor to rule out other potential causes.
To prevent dehydration, it is important to drink enough water each day to equal half of your body weight in ounces to prevent the risk of dehydration.
What are the Symptoms of Dehydration?
Dehydration can cause a number of different symptoms, and it is important to be aware of them so that you can take steps to prevent it. Thirst is obviously the most common symptom of dehydration, but it can also lead to headaches and migraines, as well as fatigue and dizziness. If you are sweating a lot, urinating frequently or have dark-colored urine, these can also be signs that you are dehydrated.
Electrolyte drinks like this homemade electrolyte drink can help to replenish electrolytes, which are minerals that play an important role in muscle function and fluid balance. When you are dehydrated, your electrolyte levels drop, which can lead to cramping, weakness and irregular heartbeat. Therefore, it is important to stay hydrated, especially if you are engaging in strenuous activity or spending time in hot weather.
It is important to note that electrolytes are not a cure-all for all headaches. Migraine headaches are caused by dilating blood vessels in the brain and do not respond to electrolytes. However, they can exacerbate the problem if they contain caffeine or other additives that can make the vessels constrict.
While you should not rely on electrolyte drinks to treat migraines, they can effectively treat dehydration headaches. A study published in the Journal of Headache Pain found that people who drank a sports drink containing electrolytes were able to reduce their number of migraine headaches by 40%.
The American Migraine Foundation advises drinking plenty of water to account for your body’s loss of water through sweating, urination and other bodily processes. Many people with migraine also need electrolytes, so incorporating sports drinks or Pedialyte can be helpful.
What Drinks are Good for Migraines?
A migraine can take a toll on your day, especially if you’re at work.
You probably know what to reach for if you feel a headache coming on — maybe an aspirin or some coffee. But do you know what to drink when you’re experiencing a migraine?
Certain beverages may help provide relief when you feel a migraine coming on. This list is not all-inclusive, and everyone is different, but here are some drinks that may help:
- Water
The first thing you can reach for when you need relief is a glass of water. Dehydration can cause headaches and worsen migraine symptoms, so ensure to stay hydrated throughout the day. - Pedialyte
This is a hydrating drink mix available in different flavors, including peach, lemon-lime, berry and grape. It contains electrolytes (sodium, potassium and chlorine), plus small amounts of zinc and magnesium. - Smart Water
This purified water has added electrolytes. It’s available in different sizes for both kids and adults. Smart Water contains calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium bicarbonate, potassium chloride and sodium bicarbonate
Dehydration can be a trigger for migraine headaches and dehydration headaches. If you’re prone to getting dehydration headaches, drink water before you get thirsty. Also, avoid fluid-restrictive diets.
Does Magnesium Help with Migraines?
Magnesium is a mineral that keeps your body functioning properly. It helps with energy production and plays a role in many other functions, including muscle contraction and nerve transmission. Some studies show that magnesium may help prevent and treat migraine headaches, especially in women.
How Magnesium May Work
Migraine headaches are related to blood vessel changes in the brain. Some researchers think low magnesium levels may result in migraine headaches because they affect blood vessels function. In addition, magnesium may help relieve the pain of migraine headaches by blocking the release of certain chemicals in your brain that bring on migraines.
Magnesium might also help ease cluster headaches, which cause severe pain behind one eye. One study found that taking 300 mg of supplemental magnesium daily reduced headache frequency by half compared to placebo.
Can Electrolyte Imbalance Trigger a Migraine?
Although electrolyte imbalances are not thought to be the root cause of migraines, they can trigger them. A sudden shift in your electrolyte levels could trigger a migraine episode. This may occur if you lose too much fluid due to vomiting or diarrhea.
Electrolytes are minerals that are present in your blood and other bodily fluids. They carry an electrical charge and support several critical bodily functions, including:
- nerve transmission
- muscle contraction
- hydration
- maintaining blood pressure
Electrolytes play an important role in maintaining the proper balance of bodily fluids. When your electrolyte levels become unbalanced, it can cause various symptoms, including muscle twitching and weakness, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, dizziness, and nausea. These symptoms often occur alongside a migraine attack.
If you have frequent migraines or chronic headaches that haven’t responded to treatment, it’s worth having your electrolyte levels checked by your doctor. In some cases, correcting an electrolyte imbalance can reduce migraine frequency or severity.
If your migraines are caused by dehydration, and you’re typically dealing with them at home, you can easily avoid that migraine by drinking a beverage with electrolytes. Pick up some Gatorade, Pedialyte, or PowerAde from your local store, or keep a case of sports drinks in the fridge.
In addition to water and other beverages, these drinks will be able to relieve your headache with ease. I recommend stocking up on frozen water bottles as well—once you have one in your hand, your brain will instantly know that dehydration is NOT an issue—and that knowledge alone makes all the difference.