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Feel a headache coming on? It’s easy to assume that dehydration might be the culprit. But if you’ve trieddrinking more waterand your head is still pounding, maybe there’s something else going on. Headaches can occur for a myriad of other reasons.
If not sipping enough water isn’t the cause of it, then what is? We turned to the most recent research and also spoke withLaura Purdy, M.D.,a family medicine physician and the medical director at Swell Medical, andCaroline Thomason, RD, CDCES, a dietitian based in Washington, D.C., to learn the sneaky reasons you might be getting headaches unrelated to your water intake, and the natural solutions to relieve symptoms that aren’t just popping a couple painkillers.
5 Reasons You Have a Headache That Aren’t Dehydration
1. You’re Staring at Screens
Try reducing your screen time. And consider investing in a pair of blue-light-blocking glasses, which can be useful if you interact with your screen at night, suggests Thomason.
2. You’re Stressed
Yes,your stress levelscan play a role in the frequency and severity of your headaches. “Stress makes your muscles tight and contributes to headaches,” says Purdy. “If you are consistently waking up with a headache, it’s a good indicator of poor sleep quality. Loud noise and lots of noise for a long time can absolutely lead to headaches.”
Stress can also cause you to scrunch your shoulders, cause muscle tension in your head and shoulders, and even make you grind your teeth, all of which can contribute to headaches, explains Thomason.
3. Your Body Is Strained
Your posture can play a significant role in causing tension-type headaches. Research reveals that poor posture, including excessive neck bending to look at a screen, can cause headaches due to the strain on your body.
“Muscle tightness from these positions can be the culprit,” says Purdy. “These actions and movements on your body can put a strain on your upper back, shoulders, neck and head and can lead to headaches.”
4. You Need More Fuel
In addition to not drinking enough, too few calories or carbs can also make your head hurt, especially if you’re prone to headaches, says Thomason. “Eating enough food, in addition to choosing balanced options, keeps blood sugar levels stable and can prevent headaches or even improve them,” she says. “Sometimes all you need is a snack! Nutrition triggers like alcohol, caffeine and sodium are all potential headache starters, too.”
5. You’re Taking Medications
While pain relievers can provide relief for most people, they might make symptoms worse in some cases. “Some medications have side effects that include headaches, such as certain pain relievers, antihistamines and blood pressure medications,” says Thomason. “Be sure to check with your doctor if you think this is the case for you.”
Other Tips for Relieving Headaches
If you’re dealing with a headache that is unrelated to dehydration, Thomason recommends asking yourself the following questions to narrow down the culprit: Have I eaten recently? Have I had too much caffeine today? Do I feel stressed? When was the last time I stretched? Have I been staring at a screen all day? Did I get a quality night’s sleep?
Then, try these expert-approved strategies:
The Bottom Line
Whether your headache is or isn’t related to dehydration, it’s still important to drink up. “Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and getting plenty of nutrient-rich food throughout the day to keep your body fueled and blood sugar stable,” says Purdy. “I always recommend getting some movement, meditating and getting outside when you can. A little bit of exercise and movement can work wonders when you are able,” she says.
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Shah N, Hameed S.Muscle Contraction Tension Headache. In:StatPearls.StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan.
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Shah N, Hameed S.Muscle Contraction Tension Headache. In:StatPearls.StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan.
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Shah N, Hameed S.Muscle Contraction Tension Headache. In:StatPearls.StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan.
