Introduction: According to the latest report from the UK's Daily Mail, the Family Practice Journal published a new Dutch study which found that drinking water frequently can relieve headaches and migraines, thereby reducing medication dosage. Drinking 7 glasses of water a day helps alleviate headache symptoms and improve patients' quality of life.
As early as 2005, researchers at Maastricht University in the Netherlands discovered that when a doctor advised a patient with a bladder condition to drink more water, the patient's migraine symptoms also improved.
Dr. Mark Spigt, the head of the new study, and his colleagues recruited more than 100 patients who frequently experienced severe or moderate headaches. The researchers instructed the patients on how to relieve discomfort, such as reducing stress, improving sleep, and avoiding caffeinated beverages and foods. The researchers also asked half of the patients to drink an additional 1.5 liters of water daily for three months.
At the end of the study, participants filled out the Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Index questionnaire, describing their improvement in migraines and life satisfaction. The results showed that participants who drank more water had higher scores on the quality of life index.
The researchers stated that the new study's results indicate that drinking more water helps alleviate headache symptoms for patients. Therefore, it is necessary to advise headache patients to drink more water in a short period to test the improvement of their symptoms. Fiaz Ahmad, an expert from the Migraine Trust in the UK, believes that the efficacy of water in relieving headaches is mainly due to the placebo effect. However, he also emphasized that drinking water regularly to replenish the body's fluids is beneficial for overall health. Many people find that drinking water regularly makes them feel more comfortable and healthier.
Multiple studies have found that under normal circumstances, an average person needs to consume at least 8 glasses of water per day, each glass being 8 ounces (approximately 227 grams). This includes water from food. Headache patients can appropriately increase their water intake on this basis to help alleviate their condition.
Yes, it's common knowledge that drinking an extra 8 glasses of water a day has many health benefits. But how exactly do you drink 8 glasses of water in a day? Below is a recommended optimal drinking schedule for everyone to follow "by the hour":
1. 8:00 AM - Rehydrate immediately after waking up
When your alarm goes off, you have probably gone without fluids for about 8 hours. Additionally, a German study found that drinking half a liter of water in the morning helps activate the day's metabolism and flush the body's internal systems.
2. 9:30 AM - Drink milk
Having a glass of milk with breakfast not only provides protein but also builds strong bones. In particular, substances in milk that help flatten the abdomen can reduce abdominal fat and even prevent the formation of belly fat.
3. 11:00 AM - At work
Bethany Thayer, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, says, "It's best to drink a liter of water during office hours." The American Medical Association recommends that women drink 9 glasses of water and men drink 13 glasses per day, so you should refill your water bottle at least 1-2 times a day.
4. 12:00 PM - Don't drink soda
If diet soda is your beverage of choice for lunch, it's best to switch to pure water. According to a study published in the *Journal of General Internal Medicine* in 2012, frequent consumption of diet soda increases the risk of heart disease (including stroke). Want to add some flavor? You can add a few grapes and mint, or fresh ginger and peaches to your water.
5. 1:00 PM - A quick bathroom break
Look at your urine before flushing. It might be a bit unpleasant, but it's the best way to check if you are adequately hydrated. "If you are well-hydrated, your urine will be clear or light-colored," says Marisa Moore, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Don't forget to refill your water bottle when you return to your desk.
6. 3:00 PM - The crash time
Feeling like you want to hit a wall or are drowsy? Your body might be a bit fatigued from dehydration. "When you're dehydrated, you feel tired and drowsy," says Moore. Before you reach for coffee, it's best to go to the water cooler and drink a large glass of water—it will rejuvenate you.
7. 5:00 PM - Hydrate your muscles
Feeling like your evening fitness class is tougher than usual? It's likely because you haven't drunk enough water. Rehydrating after a workout is even more important. Before you start your workout, Thayer suggests you weigh yourself, and then weigh yourself again afterward. For every half pound of weight lost during the workout, drink two glasses of water to make up for the fluids lost through sweat.
8. 7:00 PM - Happy hour hydration
If having two drinks after work is your way to unwind and enjoy life, then add more ice cubes to your glass, says Thayer. "The body increases fluid loss to expel the harmful substances in alcohol." Replenishing fluids can prevent you from waking up with a headache the next morning.