When you are thirsty, you probably instinctively reach for a glass of water. You want to put something in your stomach that you know is healthy. Then, all of a sudden, you start to feel nauseous. Why do you get nauseous after drinking water? After all, isn’t water one of the healthiest things out there?
There are several reasons why you might start to feel nauseous after you drink water. There is a chance that you might be dehydrated, or you might be drinking water on a completely empty stomach. There is also a chance that you might be drinking contaminated water, and it could cause you to feel nauseous.
It is critical to take a closer look at some of the reasons why you might feel nauseous. Then, we can explore some of the ways you may be able to address the issue. As with any issue related to your personal health, if you have concerns you should consult a doctor.
The Top Reasons Why Drinking Water Might Cause Nausea
There are a handful of reasons why drinking water might cause you to feel nauseous. Some of the most common reasons include:
You Have a Full Stomach
This is probably one of the most common reasons why someone might start to feel nauseous after they drink water. If your stomach is already full, and you try to put something else on top of it, your stomach only has room for so much.
You should think of your stomach as a container. If the container is already full, and you try to put some extra water in it, what do you think is going to happen? Your stobacmach is going to overflow, and that is why you might start to feel nauseous.
You Have an Empty Stomach
This one might be a bit harder to understand, but if your stomach is completely empty, it wants to have something to digest. Instinctively, when something hits the stomach, your stomach is going to release enzymes that will digest your food. If you have only consumed water, there isn’t going to be anything for your enzymes to digest, and it could cause you to feel a bit nauseous.
If you want to fix this issue, it is relatively straightforward. Put some food in your stomach, and you should feel less nauseous.
You Have Acid Reflux
If you suffer from acid reflux, it can cause you to feel nauseous. Acid reflux develops when the esophageal sphincter, which separates your throat from your esophagus, is a bit loose. When this happens, you may end up with some stomach acid refluxing into your throat, which can cause you to feel nauseous.
There are a few ways to address this issue, but you may want to avoid laying down immediately after drinking water, as it will make it easier for acid to reflux into your throat. If you have acid reflux, you should talk to a doctor about your treatment options.
You Are Dehydrated
You may also feel nauseous because you are dehydrated. This doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with immediately drinking water, but if you are drinking water because you are dehydrated, you might experience a variety of symptoms. Dehydration could cause you to feel dizzy, develop a headache, and feel nauseous.
Drinking room temperature water when you are dehydrated should not cause you to feel nauseous, but it could make you more aware of your symptoms. If you are dehydrated, you should drink some water. It will take some time for the symptoms to abate, so you may need to drink a significant amount of water over an extended amount of time.
You Have an Electrolyte Issue
You may feel nauseous after drinking water if you have triggered an electrolyte imbalance. It is not the total amount of electrolytes you have in your body, but the concentration of electrolytes in your bloodstream, that truly matter. If you drink a significant amount of water, the concentration of certain electrolytes in your body may start to drop, and it could cause you to feel nauseous. The human body does not always like drinking plain water, and you might need to reach for bottled water or flavored water if you feel sick.
Some of the electrolytes that you have in your bloodstream include sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, phosphate, and magnesium. If you drink a tremendous amount of water, you could dilute the concentration of electrolytes in your bloodstream, which can cause you to feel nauseous.
To fix this issue, you may want to drink something that has electrolytes in it, such as a sports drink.
You Are Sensitive To The Tap Water
Finally, you may also feel nauseous after drinking water if you are sensitive to the tap water that you have just consumed. There are a variety of contaminants that could be present in the water supply, and not everyone is going to react to all contaminants equally. Some of the most common examples of contaminants in the water supply include pesticides, algae, lead, and even small amounts of plastic. There is also a chance that excessive levels of minerals, such as calcium, iron, and magnesium, could cause you to feel a bit nauseous.
These contaminants are typically present in trace amounts, meaning that they should not have an impact on your health; however, if there is an issue with your water supply, it could cause you to feel nauseous.
Your Water is Contaminated
Feeling nauseous is one of the many unpleasant symptoms of drinking contaminated water. A variety of contaminants could be lurking in the water supply, such as bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances, potentially causing a range of health issues, including stomach problems and serious illnesses.
If you suspect that your water may be contaminated, it’s of utmost importance to stop drinking the water immediately and get your water tested. It’s also critical to contact your local water supplier as soon as possible to report the problem and take action to get it resolved.
Furthermore, there are various indications that your water supply could be contaminated, such as discoloration, a strange odor, or a metallic taste. If you observe any of these signs, it’s best to play it safe and avoid drinking the water until the issue is resolved.
Pay Closer Attention To Your Diet
One possible way to address potential nausea is to pay closer attention to your diet. While there is a chance that something could be wrong with the water, it is more likely that something is wrong with your eating and drinking habits. Some of the most important points to keep in mind include:
- Try to eat regular meals throughout the day. If you can get your body on a schedule, you may be able to avoid surprising your GI system, which can help you solve your nausea.
- Try to drink water regularly throughout the day to prevent yourself from getting dehydrated. You may want to carry a water bottle around with you, and try to go through a few of them during the day. This is particularly important if you work outside.
- You should try to avoid drinking too much water on an empty stomach. If you find that you are thirsty, your body might be a bit hungry as well, so try eating a snack when you drink water.
Adjusting your diet could help you avoid nausea after drinking water.
Use Water Filters To Clean Your Water
One of the ways to address this issue is to use a water filter. Water filters come in many shapes and forms, but they are all designed to remove contaminants that could otherwise make you sick.
Before you purchase a whole house water filter or reverse osmosis system, you need to figure out exactly what you are trying to remove. You may even want to get a water test kit to see what is present in your water supply. You might find that you need to remove lead and iron from your water supply, or you could find that there are certain types of bacteria and viruses that you need to kill. Once you figure out what you need to remove from your water supply, you can find the right water filter to help you do so.
Take a Look at Your Options Today From DROP
At DROP, we offer a wide range of products that can help you improve your water quality. Take a look at our water filters, or you may want to learn more about our smart water softeners. If you feel nauseous after drinking water, you certainly need to talk to a doctor to figure out why this is happening, but do not forget to make sure your water supply is clean by using some of the products we offer at DROP.
