Dehydration and migraine

Dehydration is a well known migraine trigger. But how much do we need to drink?
I have a feeling, that at times I drink too much (I am talking water here, in case you wonder).

I have a water retention problem so I get very bloated at times. Yet, I keep carryng a small water bottles with me all day, for fear of being dehydrated.

In the last few weeks I began to cut down on water drinking quite a lot, and I have a feeling that I do get dehydrated at times, but my migraines pattern has not changed very much.
But I still worry about dehydration.
BTW in the past I usually drunk a minimum of 2 litres of water a day at least, now it is probably half of that.

FWIW, my Migraine specialist says that water doesn't always head off dehydration, especially in hot weather, and especially with some medications. I take Zonegran, which can be a problem in hot weather if there's a tendency toward dehydration. He knows I avoid sports drinks because of the sugar. I do drink Crystal Lite and another brand of great sugar-free drinks. He has be add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to each quart I mix up. I never taste it, but he says it will help me avoid dehydration better than plain water.

Also, alcohol and caffeine tend to be dehydrating, so those are things to compensate for.

Teri

Thanks for your feedback Terri,
I never drink alcohol, or any sweet drinks, but I do drink coffee, mainly in the morning. Otherwise I drink herbal teas, and mineral water. I live in moderate climate so heat is not a big problem. But your tip about adding a little salt in the summer, might be a good one to remember.

What puzzles me is that when I've cut down on drinking water by almost a half, I do not seem to get any more migraines, in fact a little less (but this can be accidental). I do not udnerstand this.
However I understand that we need to drink quite a lot to survive, so I will try to force myself to drink more water again. It just gets very boring.
Senna

Senna,

Since dehydration seems to be my main trigger, a book that I have found to be very helpful is Your Body's Many Cries For Water by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.; published by Global Health Solutions, Inc.; Falls Church, VA; ISBN: 0-9629942-3-5.

In order to gage how well hydrated, or how dehydrated, you are, observe the color of your urine.

The normal color of urine should not be dark. It should ideally be almost colorless to light yellow. If it begins to become dark yellow, or even orange in color, you are becoming dehydrated. . . . Dark color urine is a good sign of dehydration.

(page 158)

. . . water is the best natural diuretic if the kidneys function normally.

(page 159)

The precaution to keep in mind is loss of salt from the body when water intake is increased and salt intake is not. After a few days of taking six or eight or 10 glasses of water a day, you should begin to think of adding some salt to your diet. If you begin to feel muscle cramps at night, remember you are becoming salt-deficient. Cramps in unexercised muscles most often means salt shortage in the body. . . .

. . . a rule of thumb for daily salt intake. For every 10 glasses of water (about two quarts), one should add to the diet about half of a teaspoon of salt per day. . . . Of course, one should make sure that the kidneys are producing urine. Otherwise the body will swell up. If you sense your skin and ankles are beginning to swell, do not panic. Reduce salt intake for a few days, but increase your water intake untill the swelling in the legs disappears. You should also increase your movements---exercise: muscle activity will draw the excess fluid into the blood circulation and some salt is then lost in perspiration and urine. Do not sit or stand in one position too long.

(pages 161 &162)

Also, the devitalised salt sold in most grocery stores is not adequate. A better choice, for salt, is one that also includes other trace minerals; such as a sea salt from the North Sea, or the one that I use (which is mined, from ancient deposits, in Utah) called Real Salt.

I hope that you find these quotes from Your Body's Many Cries For Water to be helpful in clarifying the hydration (dehydration) / salt / edema relationships. Though, for a fuller understanding of this issue the entire book needs to be studied.

Thank you so much MK for such comprehensive information.
It is all such a fine balance, isn't it?

At times I fear I that drink too much water, and I really puff up, then I cut it down but as you mention I fear dehydration, as my urine gets yellow.
I am also very aware of taking much salt in my food, becasue I have problems with slightly high BP and am told not too take much salt etc.

I am hardly ever thirsty, so I try to sip water and carry my little bottle with me through the day, but when I am busy or with other people I forget to drink.

Your information is a good reminder that we need to watch the water intake and this is also important for general health as body needs lots of water.
I also think our bodies are extra sensitive to almost anything, so I am careful by having sensible diet and cook all my own food as well. WE are fighting a constand battle but I find that being careful to reduce my triggers over the year has reduced my migraines considearbly.
I wish you a good and painless day
Senna

After a golf-ball size kidney stone 26 years ago (required surgical removal), I have drank large amounts of water (usually at least five 24-oz. bottles/day and oftentimes more). I very rarely have swelling. I keep my bottle of water with me everywhere I go--day and night.

Although my blood pressure is under control now, I worry about adding any salt to my diet because of the relationship of salt and high blood pressure.

Interesting information though. Thanks for sharing with us. I definitely feel worse if I am in the least bit dehydrated.

Becky