Electrolytes play a critical role in your well-being, but do they have an impact on migraine attacks? Explore their possible relationship and what you should know as someone living with migraine.
What are electrolytes?
Electrolytes are key minerals your body relies on to function correctly and efficiently. They are soluble when they come into contact with water, which makes up more than half of the human body. Once dissolved, electrolytes take on a positive or negative electrical charge that supports cell function, chemical regulation and overall balance. The seven most critical electrolytes and their functions are:
| Sodium | The most plentiful electrolyte in the body — keeps fluids balanced, aids in cellular nutrient absorption and promotes nerve and muscle function |
| Magnesium | Essential for cells to transform nutrients into the energy needed to mentally and physically function |
| Potassium | A significant factor in maintaining good heart health |
| Calcium | Assists with nerve communication, heart rhythm, pH balance and maintaining strong teeth and bones |
| Chloride | The second most plentiful in the body — helps maintain safe pH, fluid, blood pressure and blood volume levels |
| Phosphate | Helps cells metabolize nutrients, aids in chemical transportation and plays a part in DNA formation |
| Bicarbonate | Recycled form of carbon dioxide that maintains blood pH levels and moves carbon dioxide through the bloodstream |
The body produces some electrolytes on its own and takes in others through the food and drinks we consume. Once formed or consumed, electrolytes are found in urine, blood, tissue and other parts of the body.
What causes electrolyte imbalance?
Electrolyte imbalance happens when your body has too much or too little of one or multiple electrolytes. Dehydration and overhydration are two of the leading causes, but you may be more likely to experience an imbalance if you have:
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea
- A tendency to sweat heavily
- A fever
- An eating disorder
- Kidney disease
- Heart problems
- Liver disease
- Substance use disorder
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
Some medications can also disrupt electrolyte balance, including antibiotics, diuretics, laxatives, corticosteroids and some disease-treating drugs.
Symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance
Only a medical professional can confirm if your body is lacking or has an excess of a specific electrolyte. That said, certain symptoms could mean it’s time to contact your doctor:
Neurological or behavioral changes
Having too much or too little of any of the essential electrolytes can cause:
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Unexplained irritability or apathy
Changes in muscle control
Imbalances in one or more of the seven key electrolytes can manifest as:
- Loss of muscle control
- Muscle weakness
- Cramps
- Abnormally strong or weak reflexes
- Muscle spasms
- Twitching
Digestive issues
Too much calcium may cause constipation, while uneven levels of sodium, calcium, chloride and bicarbonate can cause:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
Noticeable difference in heart rhythm
Inadequate or excessive levels of magnesium, calcium, potassium, chloride, phosphate or bicarbonate may result in:
- A slower or faster heartbeat
- Irregular heartbeat patterns
Breathing changes or difficulties
Too little magnesium or phosphate and too much chloride or bicarbonate can cause:
- Difficulty breathing
- Unusually fast or deep breathing
Urinary and kidney issues
Too much or too little potassium, calcium and chloride could lead to:
- Frequent urination, even without an increase in fluid intake
- Issues with the urinary tract
- Kidney stones
Pain or discomfort
Electrolyte imbalance can cause extreme disruptions to your life and daily functioning. A calcium, potassium, phosphate, chloride or bicarbonate imbalance could be to blame for unexplained:
- Abdominal pain
- Headaches
- Bone and joint pain
- Unusual thirst
- Dizziness or passing out after standing up too fast
- Fatigue
- Excessive itching
- General weakness
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Do electrolytes help migraine?
Research is inconclusive about the nature of the relationship between electrolytes and migraine — if one exists at all. Most of what we do know concerns electrolytes helping headaches, which is only one symptom of many that accompany a migraine attack.
Some evidence supports a connection between water consumption and improvements in migraine-specific headaches. Dehydration is also a known trigger for many people who live with migraine.
As water is an essential component of electrolyte function, staying hydrated is important to keep your levels balanced.
Should you incorporate more electrolytes into your diet?
It’s impossible to self-diagnose an electrolyte imbalance, and attempting to treat one without medical oversight could be dangerous. Remember, imbalances are caused by too little and too much of an electrolyte. Adding electrolyte powders, supplements and drinks to your diet can easily tip you into the “too much” category.
Talk to your doctor if you:
- Are experiencing any of the symptoms above.
- Have started a new medication.
- Have a condition that makes you more likely to develop dehydration or electrolyte imbalance.
They can order lab tests and panels to pinpoint the cause. In the meantime, the best thing you can do to support a healthy level of each electrolyte is to stay hydrated and eat a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a list of recommended daily values for nutrients and supplements you can consult if needed.
Is adding electrolytes safe for migraine?
How safe an electrolyte product is depends on your specific health and hydration levels. Avoid adding any electrolyte supplements or powders into your routine until you speak to your doctor. While an occasional sports drink after rigorous exercise is generally harmless, these beverages are often loaded with artificial sweeteners and monosodium glutamate (MSG) — common migraine triggers for many who live with the condition.
Electrolytes and migraine — what to do instead
A better approach is to minimize the chance of an electrolyte imbalance occurring.
Eat a nutrient-rich diet
Incorporate plenty of leafy greens, fruits and natural fruit juices, nuts, seeds, legumes and vegetables into your weekly meal plan, and be mindful when consuming beverages with diuretic side effects. These include drinks with caffeine, like coffee, energy drinks, soda and some types of tea.
Stay hydrated
Your doctor can help calculate the amount of water you should consume daily based on your general health, environment, activity level and how much you sweat. As a general rule, adult women should aim for 2.7 liters daily, while adult men typically need 3.7 liters. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need additional fluids.
If you’ve had a stomach bug with prolonged diarrhea or vomiting, you’ll need to consume more water than normal. The same is true during and after intense exercise or heavy sweating. In these cases, a sports drink may help compensate for electrolyte loss.
Take care of your health
Stay on top of your health by scheduling annual lab work and wellness checkups with your doctor. Work together to develop a migraine treatment plan, and assemble your own migraine toolkit to keep with you at home and on the go.
One helpful tool to consider is CEFALY, an FDA-cleared medical device for migraine management. CEFALY is a drug-free, noninvasive care option that uses electrical impulses to stimulate the external trigeminal nerve — a key player in most migraine attacks. CEFALY can help relieve pain and reduce attack frequency.
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Learn more about how CEFALY works, and take the first step toward migraine pain relief and prevention today.
