Why isn't my body absorbing the water I drink?

Question

My body flushes any water I drink right through and I have a dehydration headache (this has been going on for ~1 week) Why is this happening and what can I do about it??

I'm a 20 year old female and I dont drink caffeine, soda, alcohol, or teas, and I get a mild amount of exercise each week. I've been hospitalized for dehydration before, but that was due to the effects of a nasty virus. I feel exhausted all the time, also...

ps. i'm slender, not skinny and not obese...

Answer 1

See your doctor. Dehydration can be related to a kidney infection or diabetes.

Answer 2

You did not give your sex, age, weight, physical attributes, exercise regimen, problems, diseases, medication, etc, etc, etc, so this is a very difficult question for laymen to answer (I would have given your question a "star" if you had included most of these!). Nevertheless, here goes:

I have the same problem, but the cause may be different from yours. I've never been a "good" drinker (by all means, let the jokes fly!), and have been hospitalized a few times for severe dehydration. I have to force myself to drink something, lest I end up with big medical bills, again (I don't have medical insurance). Worse, I sometimes hydrate very well for a few days, then let it slide the next few days. And, when I do drink a lot, I tend to "go" a lot. My doctors and research all agree that some people simply can't hold their water!

This is what I do: avoid drinking hot, caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, chocolate), as well as those fancy, herbal drinks, and any sodas with caffeine in them, because they all can dehydrate you (having said, that I eliminated coffee from my diet, but took up plain hot tea, instead; hey, gotta have *something*, ya know?). ;)

Instead of water, which, to me, is either "boring" or just plain tastes bad from the tap, I use flavored "clear" juices and drinks (grape, lemonade, tea, etc) or thicker juices (tomato, nectar, prune, etc). At work, I keep a few containers of powdered drinks to suit my daily whims (the water at work is allegedly filtered).

I also put a tiny bit of salt in the cold drinks to help with absorption; during workouts, the salt actually improves the taste of the drink, as well!

Also, don't fret about getting the recommended 64 ounces of fluid per day; we get some fluid from most of the foods we eat. If you wish, bring a sturdy 6-8 oz cup with you wherever you go, and make sure to fill it at least two-thirds of the way with water or juice or something at least once every other hour. That schedule may help your body adjust (assuming that's even an issue).

Regardless, if you haven't been to a doctor, recently, then, by all means, GO!!!

Answer 3

No. Only one thing will prevent the body from absorbing oily substances, by not eating it in the first place. Water, in any event, cannot break down oils or fat - why do you think dishwahing soap are added to wash the dishes. The body is designed to absorb food and to process (digest) it. Nothing, nobody and no artificial processes or treatments can stop that. They can make a lot of money off you though. (unless you throw it up - which is a good cure. If you have eaten something bad, or by mistake, drink a glass of strong salt water, it makes you throw up with no ill- or side effects).

Answer 4

You MIGHT suffer from Diabetes Insipidus. The ability of your body to retain water fails. You have thirst all the time because of dehydration.
The cause of Diabetes Insipidus is lack of ADH (Anti-diuretic hormone) or vasopressin released by the posterior part of the pituitary gland in the brain. Likewise, both kidneys do not concentrate the urine; instead, they pass diluted urine.
It is also possible that both kidneys do not respond well to this ADH and keep on releasing diluted urine.
I would suggest you to see your doctor as soon as you can, before things are getting worse.

Answer 5

Electrolytes affect your water balance is important. Your kidneys have a lot to do with water balance in your body. There are serious problems that can occur as a result of your endocrine system. Usually your thirst is recommended to guide your water intake. It is possible to drink too much water just as it is possible to have too little. What does your doctor say about your present condition..

Answer 6

a couple of things could be wrong. You were retaining water and drinking more water could have flushed the excess water out of your body. Or, have you been tested for diabetes? It is often a sign of a diabetic to have continual thrist and have excessive urination. Check with your doctor.

Answer 7

1

Answer 8

How do you know it is dehydration headache?
I bet it is something else. hve your blood pressure checked