Headache
Headaches can be a symptom of overhydration when they occur with excessive sweating and the sensation of thirst.
When you hyperhydrate, your body draws too much water from the blood into the cells, which causes sodium concentration in the blood to drop significantly. When sodium levels fall so low, water begins to leak out of the cells back into the bloodstream. This causes an osmotic pressure buildup in the brain and a headache.
If you get frequent headaches or migraines that seem to come on after periods of intense activity, dehydration may be a factor. If your headaches are more regularly brought on by sweating or drinking a lot of fluids during hot weather, overhydration is more likely to blame.
If you begin to feel symptoms such as these, it’s important to drink water at a normal rate rather than an excessive one. The key is to remember that you should drink water when you feel thirsty, not before. It’s also important to stay adequately hydrated, especially during strenuous exercise sessions and hot weather.
