As the summer continues to heat up, it’s important to stay hydrated. Federal guidelines suggest an extra 8 to 16 ounces of fluid before exercise, 4 to 8 ounces every 20 minutes during exercise, and an extra 16 ounces for each pound lost during a workout. It is also recommended in general to drink small amounts frequently during the day, rather than consuming large amounts one or two times daily.
Dr. Roger Cady, founder and director of the Headache Care Center, Inc. in Springfield, Mo. points out that becoming dehydrated “is one of the worst things people with headaches of any sort, particularly migraines, can do.”
Water is definitely the best way to stay hydrated. It’s easy to carry around, it’s free, and it does a great job of keeping your body replenished. Sports drinks can be an alternative to water, especially for people who have vigorously exercised. While coffee and caffeinated sodas can cause caffeine-related headaches, Dr. Cady points out that caffeinated drinks also cause diminished sleeping for some people. That may be something to think about the next you are tempted at your local coffee house with an iced mocha frappe or frozen espresso. While not all sodas are caffeinated, they are filled with sugar, sweeteners and calories… not a good option for hydration. Juice may not be a great alternative due to the sugar and calorie content, however if it is diluted with water it may not be such a bad choice…. Head Wise Volume 2, Issue 2 2012
