Rehydration: Is this normal?
By GreenMoo
@GreenMoo (11833)
June 2, 2012 5:34am CST
As I endless berate myself about not drinking enough water during the day, I have decided to try and do something about it. I have decided to try and drink a glass of water each time I remember, and to jog my memory I have placed a cup on top of the cooker where I walk past it regularly. So far I'm doing really well and have drunk far more than I normally do.
It's early days yet, just day three, so only time will tell if it makes me feel brighter and healthier in the longer term.
In the short term, what goes in must come out and I seem to be constantly in and out of the toilet!
More disturbingly though, I've developed quite an annoying low level headache which is unlike anything I've experienced before. It seems that it could be connected to my new habit.
Would this be a normal side effect of upping water intake? I imagine I was pretty dehydrated previously, having survived on a liquid intake of mainly coffee and wine. I haven't cut out the wine or coffee, just added lots of water. I work outdoors for much of the day, and it's pretty hot.
How much water do you drink? Do you make a conscious effort to drink more? What techniques have you use to create a water drinking habit?
If you've made an effort to up your water intake, did you notice peculiar effects?
6 people like this
19 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
2 Jun 12
Have you had any other new symptoms? I don't think it's water intoxication because that usually starts with nausea, but maybe you need more salt, since you work out in the heat. Drinking more water than usual will cause your body to lose salt, potassium, etc., known as electrolytes.
Until you get used to drinking more water, try measuring it into a pitcher or jug. You need half as many ounces as you weigh in pounds, but start will less if you can't drink that much. When I was trying to drink more water, I would take a glass with me and sip it all the time, then I realized that I wasn't really drinking that much. I started chugging a glass of it just to get it over with and that really helped. It's kind of like medicine at first, the faster you can get it down, the better! But only one glass at a time.
As you drink more water, your tastes will change and there will be times when you actually prefer it over anything else. (Been there, done that!)
@peavey (16936)
• United States
2 Jun 12
Well, I wouldn't go overboard with the salty snacks! 
I found this that might help: A stone is a division of weight in the British Imperial System and equates to 14 pounds or 6.3 kilograms
An ounce isn't very much. I looked up "what is an ounce?" on Wikipedia, but you'd better read it for yourself because I can't explain it! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluid_ounce
I found this that might help: A stone is a division of weight in the British Imperial System and equates to 14 pounds or 6.3 kilograms
An ounce isn't very much. I looked up "what is an ounce?" on Wikipedia, but you'd better read it for yourself because I can't explain it! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluid_ounce@GreenMoo (11833)
•
3 Jun 12
My maths could be a bit squiffy here, but I'm calculating 35 fl oz to the litre. I've actually no idea what I weigh, but if I said 120 lb that would mean I should be drinking 60 fl oz of water. That's less that 2 litres. Can't be right.
Check ...
A fl oz is 28.4 ml. A litre is 1000 ml. So there are 35.2 fl oz to a litre.
I weigh 8.5 ish stone. Which is 119 lb.
Correct so far.
Half of 120 is 60, and 60 fl oz is less than 2 litres.
Well providing I'm not being a complete dipstick with my calculations, I reckon my water intake is over and above what is required.
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
2 Jun 12
Other symptoms? I'm ravenously hungry! But that could just be me!
Someone else had mentioned electrolytes, but I had no idea what they were talking about. Thanks for the explanation. It makes sense.
So, to deal with the hunger and the electrolytes, I should eat salty potato crisps. Who knew starting a new good habit could be so much fun 
I've got a small cup to drink from, and I'm doing the chugging thing. I must get some sort on conversion table going and try and work out what I weigh in pounds, and what on earth an ounce looks like in water!
I've got a small cup to drink from, and I'm doing the chugging thing. I must get some sort on conversion table going and try and work out what I weigh in pounds, and what on earth an ounce looks like in water!1 person likes this
@PhillyDreamer (3039)
• United States
2 Jun 12
Your body is going to resist any changes you make to your routine at first. The headaches are probably a sign of caffeine withdrawal cause I imagine you don't drink as much coffee because the water is filling you up. Be careful not to over-hydrate yourself as well. It is possible to drink too much water.
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
2 Jun 12
I wonder how much water you need to drink to actually kill yourself? Interesting question to research when I have nothing better to do!
It's about 40 degrees here just now, and I'm working in the sun all day, so I doubt that would be an issue though.
My caffeine intake is exactly the same actually as I normally drink coffee at specific 'break' times. Two cups in the morning with breakfast, one at morning break time, and so on. I'm drinking the water whether I want it or not.
The headacheyness is probably the water flushing all the toxins out of my body. That's what I'm telling myself anyway. It sounds positive and keeps me on the right track!
@PhillyDreamer (3039)
• United States
2 Jun 12
You may be diluting the caffeine you take in, so your body is asking for more to balance out all the water. I believe a gallon of water in one sitting is enough to kill you.
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
7 Jun 12
I am very bad at this also. I am supposed to drink at least a few glasses of water each day, but I hardly drink any water unless I am thirsty. Getting headaches I think is par for the course. What is happening is that you are flushing out some toxins from your body and getting a headache should be normal. I know I get headaches when I don't get enough coffee in my system or if I smoke too much. But water is supposed to prevent you from getting headaches. But like I said, since it is only a few days it might just be that your body is adjusting to the new habit.
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
7 Jun 12
After this post I went all out and cut the coffee too. I figured that if I felt rough anyway, it was a good time to do it!
It's not a even a week of the new regime yet, but I feel pretty good about sticking with it even if it hasn't made me feel healthier at all.
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
8 Jun 12
Well since you stopped the coffee explains the headaches. Your body is going through caffeine withdrawal. You don't have to cut out the coffee all together. You could cut back. Also, they are doing studies now that show that coffee actually prevents cancer. So I still drink it. Smoking also will create headaches is you smoke then stop. You also have to eat right in order to feel better. Water will only do so much.
@Orson_Kart (6827)
• United Kingdom
2 Jun 12
I think you can drink too much as well as too little water. I tend to drink only when I am thirsty and usually it's just water, but I do still partake in the odd coffee or tea (and that other stuff you mentioned). Water is important but it doesn't contain much in the way of nutrients, so maybe you have a headache because you are short on electrolytes? Also don't drink it too chilled as that isn't good for you either.
@chicksdigscars (5483)
•
7 Jun 12
I completely know what you are going through!
I suffer from really bad headaches, all the time, and nothing seems to make them better. I have glasses. When I wear them, I get headaches, when I don’t, I get headaches.
When I get 8 hours sleep, headache, get too little sleep, headache lol. nothing ever seems to work.
So I too went down the water route. For the first day I felt amazing, albeit the toilet trips were annoying.. but after the 3rd of 4th day my head was KILLING me.. maybe our body becomes so completely used to a certain thing and a certain routine without you even realising you do it, that when you try to change, it causes you more harm than good for the first while, until it in turn then BECOMES your body’s routine lol!
@GreenMoo (11833)
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7 Jun 12
So did you stick with the water thing? And did it get better?
I'm still feeling pretty grim, but it's probably not all the fault of the water. After that first day I decided that if I felt rough I might as well feel properly rough so I cut the coffee as well. I've been a bit slack with the water today, but not a drop of coffee has passed my lips for quite a few days now. And I'm still alive!!
@mickeyb123 (117)
• United States
2 Jun 12
In my research for various article I write, the basic point about drinking LOTS of water comes in quite often. The primary equation that I have come up with is that you drink half of your body weight in ounces each day. (I weight 230 lbs so I halve to drink 115 ounces per day)
I have to drink my water cold so I have set up a 'Sunlight Tea' container with the appropriate amount of water in it in the refrigerator. Each time I get up from the keyboard to take a 'fresh air' break, I also take a glass of water with me. It works.
I noticed that you said you started to get headaches. This is strange. The only reason I don't get headaches, I am positive, is because I drink a LOT of coffee on a daily basis. You said you did not reduce your level of coffee, however, have you gone to non caffeine coffee?
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
2 Jun 12
No caffeine free coffee here. But someone has suggested that even though I'm drinking the same amount, it's probably being diluted and flushed through by all this water so my headaches could STILL be due to caffeine withdrawal.
Will have to up the coffee. One habit at a time!
@mickeyb123 (117)
• United States
2 Jun 12
Now REMEMBER, I am not a doctor, physical therapist or personal trainer and I do not play one on TV or radio, however, (personally) get back on the increased coffee or maybe just up your caffeine content. (Maybe with some espresso...?)
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
2 Jun 12
I have never had a headache from drinking water, but maybe you are lowering your caffeine levels. The other thing I would suggest is that you put a splash of fruit juice in your water to keep up the mineral balance. I do not really seem to have a problem with not drinking. At least I do not think so.
@ajithlal (14716)
• India
2 Jun 12
I think it is normal to have dehydration. We should always learn to take more water during the summer season and also when we play sports. I think it is good to have lemon juice or fruit juice if one does not want to drink plain water too much. I think curd water can be another substitution for drinking plain water.
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
3 Jun 12
I'm like a camel when it comes to drinking water
. I go beyond the needed eight glasses a day, but I haven't noticed the effects that you mentioned. I tend to get sick if I have less than eight glasses of water a day. I have asthma you see, and water keeps my lungs clear of any phlegm build ups. I do make a conscious effort to drink more water when I am at home because in the office I limit my water intake so that I don't go to the bathroom often.
. I go beyond the needed eight glasses a day, but I haven't noticed the effects that you mentioned. I tend to get sick if I have less than eight glasses of water a day. I have asthma you see, and water keeps my lungs clear of any phlegm build ups. I do make a conscious effort to drink more water when I am at home because in the office I limit my water intake so that I don't go to the bathroom often. 
@mikyung (2232)
• Philippines
2 Jun 12
I find it so alarming when I saw my laboratory results taken 2 months ago. It is good thing that my company has this annual checkup being conducted. I have beyond normal levels of creatinine and at the same time my uric acid is not acceptable. My doctor says that I maybe dehydrated at times and I prove it that he is right.
For the past few weeks, I make it sure that I drink 8-10 glasses a day. I have this 1 liter bottle always handy. I make it sure that I need to consume that when I'm working and refill it again upon going home. Eight to ten glasses means not only pure water but any form of fluids - fruit juices, broth, and other forms.
And as a result for this strict fluid therapy, my laboratory result came and thank God, I have normal or near-normal labs. What a great sigh, all I need now is to maintain such practice.
@clarissa8790 (26)
• United States
2 Jun 12
I have also been trying to drink alot of water. I always just carry around a bottle full of water with me wherever I go. I also pee alot to! It can get pretty annoying but just remember it is flushing out all of the toxins in your body. Drinking alot of water is great for your kidneys. I always feel that when I drink alot of water I feel more engergized. Although if i do get headaches thats how I know im dehydrated.
@bwilliamsfc (11)
• United States
2 Jun 12
It can be normal especially if your body is not used to the liquid intake. If it persists it could be lack of vitamins on top of the dehydration. I drink about 7-8 glasses of water a day. I do make a conscious effort to drink more water because like you I want to be and feel healthier. I eventually got tired of the taste of water. The colder the water the better, as cold as you can stand it. Also you can get a box of the packets of sugar free drink mix at the dollar store. I add one packet for about every 30 oz. It helps get the water in without the appalling taste.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
2 Jun 12
It's possible that since you're drinking more water, that means you are drinking less coffee than your body is used to. The lack of caffeine could be causing your headache. That is usually what happens when your body is going through caffeine withdrawals. It should only take a few days for your body to get used to it and the headaches will go away.
When I try to drink more water, I just keep a water bottle with me and take sips everytime I think about it.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
2 Jun 12
I have to make a conscious effort to. I usually drink 2-3 liters a day. It definitely causes me to have to pee a lot. But I am also less hungry, a little more awake, and it cools my body temperature down. (I am a heat baby, I will sweat in 70 degree weather wearing a tank top, it's ridiculous) - but water helps in that for me. I feel a lot cooler than when I drink something with caffeine or sugar. Not to be gross but it also helps keep me regular for some reason...?
I have never had any head aches from drinking water. Unless I don't drink caffeine and SUBSTITUTE it with water, which I have done a couple of times, but that is just from caffeine deprivation (when I am addicted). Do you drink bottled water? Maybe there is something IN your water that is giving you a head ache. I would imagine water should ALLEVIATE head aches and not start them. Maybe just to check out the theory, you could try drinking bottled water (like Aquafina) instead of tap water? Maybe you need a filtration system (like a Brita) or something, to get rid of these head aches? Just an idea...
@sherrybelle (707)
• United States
2 Jun 12
I'm currently reading a book entitled YOU'RE NOT SICK, YOU'RE THIRSTY. It's all about drinking plenty of water.
I was in the habit of drinking coffee, too. It's been a week since I stopped drinking it. I noticed when I stopped that I had a headache from caffeine withdrawal so I drank a little bit of tea. Some people would call that a healing crisis.
I'm in the process of putting a lot of water in my system as well. I also take Lecithin capsules to make my cells more receptive to the water I'm consuming.
I believe we can accomplish a lot where our health is concerned if we're willing to hydrate. I plan to do my best and I wish you the best...as well.
@thuglove1722 (343)
• United States
2 Jun 12
ya i've come across similar effects when i don't drink water and i force myself to drink water because im feeling like i have a headache and once i drink the water i feel better
