Help! Why Does Water Give Me Indigestion? (Tummy Troubles)

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Even while water is a need for life, many people are unaware that it can also give them indigestion. Have you ever felt bloated, queasy, or uncomfortable after drinking water? Do you consider this to be normal? Contrary to popular perception, drinking water does not usually promote good digestion. In fact, if not ingested properly, it may result in intestinal problems. The secret to preventing these uncomfortable symptoms and preserving a healthy digestive system is to comprehend why and how drinking water might cause indigestion. Continue reading to find out more about this crucial subject!

TL;DR

Drinking water can cause indigestion in some people.

  • Dehydration can lead to an increase in stomach acid production.
  • Drinking too much water at once can overwhelm the digestive system.
  • Certain medications and medical conditions can also contribute to indigestion from drinking water.

Understanding the causes of water-induced indigestion is key to managing it and staying hydrated!

Do you have indigestion often after you drink water?

***NOTE: Take control of how much water you drink per day with a high-quality personal water bottle. Lifestraw bottles can filter water from practically any source, giving you clean drinking water wherever and whenever you need it.

Do you find yourself wishing you knew how to get the right amount of water every day without having to make your stomach feel terrible in the process?

Are you often asking, “Why does water give me indigestion”?

If any of this sounds like you, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about the relationship between water and indigestion. You’ll learn what might be causing your indigestion related to water and you’ll even find out if there’s anything you can do about this problem or not.

Water is not one of the most common causes of indigestion, although it does happen this way sometimes. Here are the top three causes of indigestion:

  • Ulcers. These are stomach ulcers that almost always lead to an indigestion issue in the person suffering from them. Your doctor must diagnose an ulcer and should offer you a treatment plan, too.
  • Food intolerance. Lactose intolerance, celiac disease, food allergies and sensitivities, and more can lead to indigestion.
  • Gastritis. This is an inflammation of the stomach lining caused by illness or sometimes caused by the foods you eat. It also leads to indigestion in many instances.

Read on to learn how water can affect you and your digestion.

Water and Indigestion

There are several ways water and indigestion are related. You may find that you experience some or all of the situations below, and if so, this isn’t necessarily a sign of anything bad. Just remember to speak to your doctor if your indigestion related to drinking water affects your life too severely. Here are a few facts and tips about the relationship between water and indigestion:

hard water digestive problems

1. Your water may need to be filtered to prevent heartburn.

  • Water isn’t made up of just water; depending on where you get your water from, it may contain several minerals that have either been added to it or that are found there naturally. Unfortunately, it may also contain chemicals (for water treatment purposes or present through pollution) as well as other pollutants and bacteria. Some people are very sensitive to the substances found in water, and if this is true of you, then you may find your body—and especially your digestive system—responding badly to the water you drink. This could lead to bloating and indigestion both.

2. You may be drinking your water too fast.

  • Many people are guilty of drinking their water too fast. However, if you’re someone who already suffers from other stomach and digestive issues and conditions, this problem may be a more significant one for you. Drinking water in big gulps is a sure way to swallow a lot of air along with your water, which in turn can lead to indigestion, heartburn, and reflux in some situations. This is further exacerbated in anyone who suffers from IBS, but it can happen to anybody. Sip your water slowly to avoid this problem.

3. You may be having water with foods that are actually causing the indigestion.

  • So, you find yourself fighting a serious bout of indigestion yet again. You had a glass of water, sure, but you also had a plate of nachos covered in cheese and peppers. This may not be a problem caused by the water at all! If you find yourself dealing with indigestion, take time to go over everything you’ve eaten throughout the day. Could it be that the real problem is in the food you’re consuming? Could you actually be lactose intolerant and blaming it on the water? Did you eat something spicy that may have been the real root of the issue?

4. Drinking too much water on an empty stomach can exacerbate this problem.

  • If you have a completely empty stomach and you chug a lot of water in the hopes of filling up or preparing for a workout, you’re likely to bloat up immediately and you’ll probably also give yourself indigestion in the process. If you stuffed your stomach with a huge meal quickly the same thing would happen; filling your stomach too fast with anything is a sure way to trigger an overabundance of stomach acid production. This, in turn, will lead you to more frequent indigestion as well as acid reflux, heartburn, and a wide variety of other stomach issues to deal with.

5. Drinking water that is too hot may contribute in some instances.

  • This is not always the case, and in some situations, it may actually be much better for you to drink warm water than cold. However, many people who suffer from regular indigestion or acid reflux find that drinking hot liquids of any kind, including water, makes the problem much more difficult to get rid of. If you find that your indigestion is only happening when you drink hot liquids, this may be the case for you. Some people simply have a digestive system that is more aggravated by hot than cold, so keep this in mind when trying to determine the cause of your issue.

Conclusion

Were you able to learn something about the relationship between water and indigestion? As you can see, this is a problem that many people deal with, and if it’s happening to you, you’re not alone. However, it’s always a good idea to bring up new changes in your body and your health to your doctor. If this is the first time this has happened to you, talk to your doctor about it to rule out any potential health risks or concerns you might need to keep in mind.

Is this something you can treat or deal with on your own? How can you solve this problem or avoid it? While you certainly can’t stop drinking water altogether, you can do some things to try to improve the way your body processes and digests it:

drinking water causing heartburn
  • Take smaller sips. Sip your water slowly over the course of a half hour or so and your body will be able to adjust to the intake much better than it would if you took big gulps. You also won’t run the risk of swallowing a lot of air and contributing to the problem that way, too.
  • Drink lukewarm water. The body is better at processing water that is sitting out at room temperature than very hot or very cold water, so do yourself a favor and stick to tepid whenever possible.
  • Take an antacid. Although you shouldn’t rely on an antacid to always prevent you from having indigestion, you can definitely take one when you’re suffering from indigestion unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you can’t seem to get the problem to go away otherwise, don’t hesitate to take something over-the-counter designed to help with indigestion.

By keeping all of this information in mind, you’ll be well on your way to a better experience every time you drink water!


5 Tips to Help You Avoid Indigestion from Drinking Water

  1. Drink room temperature water instead of cold water.
  2. Avoid drinking large amounts of water at once. Instead, sip small amounts throughout the day.
  3. Drink water before meals, not during or after meals.
  4. Add a pinch of salt to your glass of water to help with digestion.
  5. Try adding lemon juice or ginger to your glass of water for added flavor and digestive benefits.

ALSO: Try drinking herbal teas such as chamomile or peppermint tea for an alternative way to stay hydrated without the risk of indigestion!

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About The Author

Joseph Bartley
Editor-In-Chief
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Joseph Bartley, also known as the WaterFilterFanatic, is a seasoned content writer who specializes in water filtration and water quality topics. On AllAboutWaterFilters, he has written a range of water filtration system reviews, water health and quality articles, swimming pool, hot tub and aquarium filtration guides, DIY methods to assist people clean their drinking water, and much more. Joseph enjoys spending his time working with the #AllAboutWaterFilters Editorial Team to provide some of the best quality water filtration content available on the web.

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