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Almost everyone has suffered from a headache at one time or another in their life. Some of us get them often-even multiple times daily-while others get them rarely. We are a fast food generation and want to pop a quick pill for every ailment we come across. We take all sorts of tablets and medicines for these headaches-some over the counter and others prescribed to us by doctors. I think we would all be much better off if we paused to take a long drink of water before looking for that bottle of pills, since the number one reason for any of us getting headaches is from dehydration.

If you stop to think about this, it makes perfect sense. Our bodies are made up almost entirely of water and they need plenty of it to function correctly. We are not like dogs, knowing exactly when we need to drink and how much, but our bodies do have a thirst mechanism to let us know when we are thirsty, just as the name suggests. Unfortunately, by the time you feel thirst, you are already dehydrated. Your body is trying to remind you that you are neglecting its needs. When you don't drink enough water, even your thirst mechanism stops functioning as it should. When you drink enough water regularly, your mind will work more clearly, and your muscles can perform as they are supposed to.

Too many of us typically get up in the morning to a quick cup of coffee, followed later in the day by a few caffeinated sodas. What most people don't realize is that the caffeine in these drinks actually takes water from our bodies at a faster rate than the liquid in them can hydrate us. We would be better off not drinking anything than by filling ourselves with caffeine. In our busy lifestyle, though, where is the time to drink water?

I propose that people who carry a bottle of water with them throughout the day tend to stay better hydrated. A few sips here and there, and before you know it you'll finish the bottle and can move onto another. You won't notice any time lost if you have the bottle handy on your desk, in your purse or in your car.

So next time you have a headache, drink a couple of glasses of water, and see what happens.

Learn more about this author, Amy Gunn.
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