Summertime Hydration

By Alene L. Brennan, RYT

1 min read

We hear a lot about the importance of drinking enough water in a day and it’s for good reason. The majority of us are walking around chronically dehydrated. Some signs include:

Fatigue
Headaches
Cravings
Muscle cramps
Joint pain
Constipation

How does dehydration impact migraine?

While it may not be the only cause of a migraine, being dehydrated can certainly contribute to our vulnerability to an attack. But being properly hydrated isn’t just about how much you drink, as it is what you drink.

What helps hydrate our cells?

We want to ensure that the water gets inside the cells where it’s most needed and not just passing through our body without receiving the benefits. What helps water get inside your cells to maximize your hydration? This summer, try adding one of the following to your next glass of water.

A squeeze of citrus such as lemon or lime
Pinch of salt
Clean electrolyte boost

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Migraine.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Countrycitygirl Member
Over a year ago I discovered the bottled water called Core Hydration. It is the best bottled water that I've found.
1. Countrycitygirl Member
 <inline-mention username="Alene Brennan" user-id="3663804"/> I love that it automatically comes with electrolytes! Which as a migraine sufferer you know we need. Plus it helped me rehydrate faster after experiencing cyclic vomiting syndrome a year ago.
2. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Countrycitygirl" user-id="3750328"/> they all sound like great benefits to me!! I'll have to give it a try. Thanks again. 😀
anonymous-222 Member
When I heard about dehydration contributing to Migraines a couple months ago. I started making sure that I drink at least 4 bottles of water a day. Usually a cup of Coffee to get Caffeine in my system. It has Lowered My Migraine episodes 
1. Cheryl Picerno Moderator
 <inline-mention username="anonymous-222" user-id="4599172"/> Staying hydrated is generally a good practice for living a healthy life, but it is even more critical for those who struggle with migraines. It is by no means a stand-alone method of controlling migraine, but it's a good practice to have in place as a part of our preventative routine. I'm glad the routine you have started is helping to reduce your migraine episodes! Warmly, Cheryl <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
2. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="anonymous-222" user-id="4599172"/> That's great to hear and thanks for sharing it with us. The more experiences we hear like this, the more of us will be inspired to try the same thing in our lives. Cheers to you!
seleqm Member
Can you give examples of "clean" electrolytes? I struggle with so many things having artificial sweeteners and they are a trigger for me.
1. JennieM Member
 <inline-mention username="Cheryl Picerno" user-id="3673232"/>, knowing a local bee keeper - that's so cool! As to having my own favourite electrolyte drinks, I'm ashamed to say, I don't. I'm a fraud ;( I searched out the recipes for my son & husband . Sadly neither are here to ask for their input. 
2. Cheryl Picerno Moderator
 <inline-mention username="JennieM" user-id="3769181"/>, you made me chuckle! You're not a fraud. Taking time to do research for others is advocacy in my book! You want the best for your son and husband, and you've found another way to care for their health by finding effective ways to keep their electrolytes up. As far as honey goes, we buy it 4 pounds at a time for $85. It lasts us about 6 months. It helps with allergies and is a good sweetener. If your son and husband want to weigh in on their favorite electrolyte drinks, we'd love to hear about it! Warmly, Cheryl migraine community team
napper Member
 ALL my migraines are digestive. They can be caused by dehydration, AND/OR blockage by too much hydrophobic, pasty food: cheese, nuts, nut butter, esp. in combo w dry bread or crackers. These foods are not triggers in that I can eat them without consequence if I am not dehydrated, don't eat a big globs of them at once, and eat other juicy things with them at the same time (drinking water is not enough as it will not easily mix with a fatty (hydrophobic) paste like warm cheese or nut mush (butter or chewed-up nuts).) I know because I blow up like a balloon over a day or two or three, with no BMs, then the pressure in my guts (constipation, friction, I think, and gas pressure) is too much and hello, migraine! It also hurts as stuff begins to move (hours -- or days later; thank you, senna) but then - instant relief. Pain is gone, energy back; can fit into my clothes again. 
1. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="napper" user-id="4817684"/> wow, thanks for sharing this. It sounds like you've really been able to understand your body and what effects is most. That takes some work, but as you're experiencing pays off in the end. Thanks for sharing your story as it can be an inspiration to us all in doing the same!
CommunityMember17331734 Member
Hi has anyone here used a CEFALY device?
1. Jya Gioe Member
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember17331734" user-id="4834047"/> Yes I have for 60 days I believe a few years back. Didn't help my headaches at all unfortunately. But almost nothing has. Not sure what the success rate is. Best of luck.
2. Rebecca C Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Jya Gioe" user-id="8899123"/> Thanks for sharing your experience. I do hope you find relief soon. Rebecca (team member)
timbanish Member
Thanks for the reminder how keeping hydrated can reduce migraines. Summer usually means fewer migraines for me. But if I sweat a lot doing yardwork and don't drink fluids after a migraine will hit later. Ever since we bought a refrigerator with built in ice and water, I found it easier to stay hydrated. I sometimes flavor my water with maraschino cherry juice.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="timbanish" user-id="3905326"/> Oh- the flavored water is a nice tip. Thank you for sharing this. I find it tricky to stay hydrated as I struggle with nausea and vomiting as one of my primary symptoms. But, as you said, with the heat, if I sweat a lot and don't hydrate - I'm more apt to get hit with an attack later. I've started carrying my water bottle around my yard as I'm walking my dog before bed. I try to chug down the entire thing before coming inside to rehydrate from the day. I think it's helping even though it feels like a chore! Warmly - Holly (team member)
JennieM Member
Arlene, great points. Helps that I live in Vancouver 🇨🇦, and we have stellar water. Makes drinking it easy. We just fill a Brita jug and keep it cold in the fridge. Much more refreshing to drink & great cooling for heat sensitive people like me. Always keep a bag of pre made ice cubes in freezer as well. Invested recently in a small countertop ice maker too. Indulgence that makes sense with warming summers. The fun factor encourages EVERYONE in our home to drink more water. Smart reminder too re good hydration aiding bowel movements, Arlene. Constipation: such a frequent MS struggle. Chugging my water 💦 right now 😉 
1. JennieM Member
 <inline-mention username="Alene L. Brennan, RYT" user-id="3663804"/>, hooray for water: the fundamental healer. Nice that it helps with both of my chronic conditions 😁. Not sure if it's in others' budgets, but our little Frigidaire ice maker came from Costco for ~$100. Apologies if brand & store names are verboten 🙀
2. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="JennieM" user-id="3769181"/> I like that term "fundamental healer!" Water is fundamental and yet powerful in supporting the body in its healing journey! And thanks for the details on the ice maker. I love a good Costco purchase! Best Alene (team member)
latat Member
I find that drinking too many fluids, even those with electrolytes in it, will cause me to get a migraine. It’s a myth that a person needs 88 ounce glasses per day. There is actually water in everything you eat, which also counts towards the total hydration level.
1. Cody Leach Community Admin
 I can understand why over hydration may play a role in your migraines, <inline-mention username="latat" user-id="3799216"/>. Reminds me of the saying "more isn't always better"! Thanks for sharing, - Cody (Team Member)
2. latat Member
 <inline-mention username="Cody Leach" user-id="4536970"/> Even following the standard 8 8 ounce glasses is just too much for me. Everyone should listen to their bodies. As soon as I started drinking less, the better I felt.
CommunityMember3294a8 Member
do you think Gatorade help reduce migraines?
1. Cody Leach Community Admin
 This is a great question, <inline-mention username="CommunityMember3294a8" user-id="9740610"/>. As far as I know, there is inconclusive evidence as to whether electrolyte drinks can reduce migraines. When I think of drinks like Gatorade in this context, many people refer to it as a useful tool for recovering from persistent nausea and vomiting. If you have any additional info that you learn, please don't hesitate to share it with us. We're always open to hearing new perspectives and ideas! - Cody (Team Member)
tammygregory Member
Dehydration is my most frequent trigger. I drink a lot of water daily, so I feel it if I don't get my usual intake. I refrain from drinking things with sugar (so Gatorade is out), and I cannot ingest any artificial sweeteners—(those are major triggers for me). That pretty much leaves water as the only available drink. If I feel a migraine, I first down 10-20 ounces of water to see if I can head it off. It's what helps me. It's easy and usually readily available. 
1. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="tammygregory" user-id="3700063"/> thanks so much for taking the time to share what works best for you. Dehydration can affect us significantly when living with migraine. You are a true testament to this, as you described how much you can feel it when you don't drink enough water. I too am affected by artificial sweeteners, so I avoid a lot of the "hydration" drinks on the shelves and stick to good old fashion water. Cheers to that! Best Alene (team member)