You can’t survive without water; therefore, the nauseous faucet water isn’t ideal. You will be less likely to want to drink water if you feel nauseous after drinking it, as you will associate drinking water with feeling sick. The water itself might not be the cause of your nausea. There are many reasons you may feel ill after drinking water. Learn more about why you might sense nauseous once drinking in the following paragraphs.
An Overview of Nausea
A variety of factors can cause nausea. You might feel sick on a trip, or you might have acid reflux. You might also feel nauseated if you suffer from anxiety. On a hot day, after a challenging workout, or when pregnant. You can see that nausea can mean a variety of diseases – or none at all! Nausea sometimes occurs without any apparent reason – just a temporary imbalance within the body. Nausea is frequently caused by viruses and bacterial infections such as gastritis. Usually, when this happens, it is accompanied by other symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting can also indicate a more severe condition, such as appendicitis or a digestive issue.
As your illness progresses, it becomes harder to pinpoint its cause. After drinking water, you may be experiencing nausea, but there are a few causes you can figure out.
After drinking water, do you always feel nauseated?
There are no situations where nausea after drinking indicates something is wrong – but it’s wise to be concerned if you experience this regularly. It’s best to seek professional medical advice if you feel nauseous after eating, experiencing other new symptoms, or if the problem has lasted for some time. In addition to diagnosing issues or reassuring you that you’re healthy, your doctor may offer solutions to any issues.
How Does Water Cause Nausea?
Having a full stomach
Having a glass of water on an already full stomach can make you feel nauseous. Ideally, you shouldn’t drink much water right after a big meal – or maybe wait for half an hour. You must pay attention to your body here. Perhaps your stomach is slow to empty, in which case you might want to eat smaller meals and drink small amounts throughout the day rather than consuming a lot of food or water in one sitting.
An empty stomach
Your body may be craving food if you feel nauseated after drinking water on an empty stomach. Water does not provide us with the energy we require. To fix this problem, eat some food! An empty stomach that feels nauseous after drinking water is a sign that you need to eat something.
Deficiency of water
In the same way that your body feels hungry, if it doesn’t get enough food, thirst also causes unpleasant symptoms. In addition to feeling nauseous, dehydration can also lead to headaches, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and dry lips. Checking the color of your urine is one way to tell whether you are dehydrated. The darker it is and the stronger the smell, the more you should drink. To survive, you need to drink enough water to fuel your body.
Morning sickness during pregnancy
When you feel nauseous after drinking water, your body could be trying to tell you that you might be pregnant. This name is a bit misleading – you can feel morning sickness at any time of the day or night. Pregnancy is also characterized by frequent urination, spotting and stomach pain, fatigue, and low blood pressure. If necessary, take a pregnancy test.
Electrolyte deficiency
You might associate electrolyte imbalance with science labs, but it is a common occurrence that we all encounter sometimes. Electrolytes are essential minerals for the proper functioning of our bodies. In addition to losing fluids through exercise, taking certain medications (such as diuretics and antibiotics), suffering from kidney disease or heart failure, or having diarrhea or sickness, you can also become electrolyte-unbalanced. Mineral deficiencies are usually accompanied by symptoms such as lethargy, fluid retention, and nausea. Keep hydrated and drink electrolyte-rich sports drinks to avoid electrolyte imbalances.
Contaminants in Water
You may be experiencing nausea because of contaminants in your drinking water. In addition to contaminated municipal water, even healthy water can be contaminated. Here are a few common contaminants to watch out for:
Microorganisms
The most common bacteria found in good supplies are those found in water. Fecal coliforms usually indicate sewage contamination. It’s imperative to switch to bottled water while investigating this contaminant further if testing reveals this in your water.
Heavy metals
Tap water is often contaminated with heavy metals. Copper and manganese, for example, are necessary for our diets, but other heavy metals are toxic. Drinking water should not contain lead, which is one of the most dangerous heavy metals. Unless there is enough heavy metal in the water to cause toxicity, it is unlikely that you will get sick from drinking water containing heavy metals. In addition to nausea, you may also experience headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and difficulty breathing in this situation.
Diseases and health issues
Several medical conditions can result in nausea and vomiting after drinking water. These conditions include digestive disorders and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Heartburn and acid reflux can be triggered by water, although it’s less common. Water, however, is generally helpful for flushing stomach acid back down your throat.
You should see a doctor if you’re experiencing digestive problems, but you can ease your symptoms by drinking plain water in the meantime.
Phytoplankton (Algae)
The greatest danger in drinking water comes from blue-green algae. It can be found both in wells and municipal water sources, and it often occurs in association with bacteria. Since there is no EPA regulation for this contaminant, water treatment facilities aren’t obligated to remove it.
Furthermore, blue-green algae can cause nausea, liver and stomach issues, irritated skin and eyes, and respiratory issues. The consumption of water containing blue-green algae can also result in illness and death for pets.
Insecticides
In surface water as well as groundwater, pesticides are present. Your local area’s level of irresponsible farming activities may affect the levels of pesticides in your water. It is possible for pesticides to still exist in trace amounts, even though the EPA regulates them. Dizziness, rashes, blisters, diarrhea, and even death are acute health effects associated with pesticides.
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)
We can get into our drinking water via pollution a group of chemicals called MTBE. MTBE was accidentally found in the tap water of millions of Americans until 2015, when it was contaminated. Thankfully, the chemicals had not been present at harmful levels.
You should arrange laboratory testing if you suspect your water may be contaminated if drinking MTBE causes nausea. In addition to headaches, dizziness, and disorientation, MTBE exposure may also cause headaches and dizziness.
Do You Know How to Stop Feeling Sick After Drinking Water?
Water may make you feel nauseous, so you may try not to drink as much of it as possible. You may become thirsty and even dehydrated if you don’t drink enough fluids each day. If you can’t stand plain tap water, try one of the following remedies:
Make sure your water is distilled or purified
Try drinking purified or distilled water if you think your water causes your nausea. As an alternative to purchasing bottled water that has been treated this way, you can buy a reverse osmosis filter or distiller for a long-term, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly solution. If you have a sensitive digestive or immune system, you might be able to stop feeling nauseous by drinking water that contains no impurities. Filters at home have become increasingly popular in recent years.
It would help if you ate first, then drank.
As I explained earlier in this guide, if you drink water on an empty stomach, your body may think you are eating – and this may make you feel nauseous if you are low on energy and want food. Drink water after each meal or snack, and never on an empty stomach. Preparing your body for hydration before providing it with energy should reduce nausea. Be aware, though, that overeating before drinking water may also make you nauseous, as will drinking too much water at once.
Experiment with different temperatures
Some people have a more difficult time handling hot or cold water temperatures than others. Coldwater is more difficult to drink as it constricts the blood vessels, and it can even cause nausea due to its effects on the digestive system. Coldwater, however, may taste better than warm or room-temperature water if you’re dehydrated and boiling. Check whether being too warm or too cold is contributing to your nausea by adjusting your water temperature.
Drink flavored or infused water
Water might not taste good to you. Alternatively, you can add your flavorings at home or use flavored bottled water. You can choose from a variety of healthy infusions. Add mint, lemon slices, ginger root, basil, watermelon, orange, or rosemary to a big pitcher and let the flavors meld before drinking. It may be enough to flavor your water to solve a nauseous feeling. When you’re feeling nauseated, another option is to drink juice. Juice should not be drunk constantly due to its excessive sugar content; however, small amounts may help alleviate nausea symptoms.
Smaller sips, more often.
The bad idea is to drink water on an empty stomach or too much water in one sitting. Take your time and don’t overload your body, and make your internal organs work too hard to process a large amount of water. Taking regular sips of water will help you spread out your consumption of H2O. It is possible to feel nauseous simply as a result of drinking too much water in one sitting. The problem should disappear almost instantly.
Electrolytes or salt can be added.
Electrolytes or sodium added to your beverages should help keep your energy levels high and prevent nausea due to electrolyte imbalance. Adding potassium, calcium, and sodium to your water can make a big difference in your H2O, primarily if you regularly work out at high intensity.
Drink carbonated water
If you experience nausea due to stomach acid, carbonated water can help ease the feeling. You may experience a reduction in nausea within minutes if you drink water with carbonation. Compared to fizzy drinks and sodas, which typically contain high artificial sweeteners, I highly recommend drinking carbonated water.
Consult your physician
Speak to your doctor if you feel nauseous after drinking water, but none of the above reasons seem to apply to you. The exact cause of nausea after drinking isn’t always straightforward. Possibly, it has to do with the water itself, or it might have nothing to do with it at all. You may be simply experiencing a hormonal change or a body imbalance. You can find out if there is a problem by visiting a health professional. You can determine the cause of the situation by examining your medical records and evaluating your symptoms. You may need to undergo further testing if necessary.
The answer to frequently asked questions
Can you drink too much water per day?
Certainly, overdosing on the water can cause hyponatremia, a condition in which the kidneys cannot filter out the excess fluid. There is no way we can over-drink water since we need only 2 liters a day. It’s more effective to space out your drinking habits throughout the day or only drink when you’re thirsty rather than drinking large amounts of water at once.
Why am I unable to drink water when I wake up?
You might not want to drink water right away in the morning. We should drink water when we wake up, but we will feel nauseous if our stomachs haven’t woken up. Try waiting until you’re ready for breakfast before drinking water, then slowly sipping it as you eat. If you have an upset stomach, you can add a lemon slice to your glass.