Stomach pain can be disabling at times, making it hard to perform daily tasks. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, where a more intense pain could indicate a serious underlying health problem. And stomach pain after drinking water is another common concern.
We usually think of water as a beneficial drink. Thus, you feel confused finding that it can cause your stomach to hurt. We take a closer look at why some people experience stomach cramps after drinking water. This post also considers a few useful remedies to prevent such symptoms.
Table of Content
The Role of Water in The Human Body
Hydration plays an important role in the human body. You need to drink enough water to ensure fluids can circulate through your body. The body depends on fluids for multiple reasons. When we do not drink enough water, our bodies start to develop symptoms of dehydration. In serious cases, dehydration can cause severe adverse effects.
Some of the functions that depend on an optimal supply of water include:
- To ensure body temperature can be regulated effectively
- To help keep the joints in the body regulated
- To reduce the risk of developing infectious diseases
- To ensure the circulatory system effectively deliver nutrients to every cell in the body
Organs also depend on water to function properly. When you fail to drink enough water, organs in your body may function at a poor level. In turn, this can cause side effects and concerning symptoms.
Stomach Pain After Drinking Water
People describe water as the healthiest drink on the planet. When you take a few sips of water, you expect to feel better. The last thing we expect is a scenario where drinking water makes my stomach hurt. Yet, some people do report stomach aches after drinking water.
The question now is – can water really be the cause behind stomach pain. Yes, there are times where water could be the cause behind a spasm or pain in the abdominal area. Let’s look at some of the possible reasons too.
Stomach Pain After Drinking Water Too Fast
Sharp pain in the stomach after drinking water is a very common complaint when you finish a glass too quickly. In this case, the pain is not caused by the water itself. Instead, it is caused by the way you drink it. When you drink water quickly, your ability to identify how much water you really need may be adversely affected.
In this case, you end up drinking more water than your stomach can handle at that point. Some people may also complain that their stomach feels tight after drinking water in this particular scenario.
Stomach Pain After Drinking Water at Night
Some people complain about stomach pain when they drink water at night too. This is not as common as people who experience such a symptom in the morning, but still a possibility. There are multiple reasons why a sip of water when you wake up during the night can cause stomach pain. This is often due to the fact that you have an empty stomach at the time.
If you have something to eat just before going to bed, then the problem may rather lie with the overloading of the stomach. Carefully consider when you are eating and drinking before getting into bed. This helps you identify the possible reason for aches in the stomach in this particular scenario.
Stomach Pain After Drinking Water in The Morning
It is relatively common to find that people have some aching in their stomach when having a glass of water in the morning. This usually happens only if you drink the water on an empty stomach. At this point, the body demands food as a way to build up energy for the upcoming day.
Stomach Pain After Drinking Cold Water
When you have pain after you drink a glass of ice-cold water, then this is likely due to a shock on the digestive system. This problem is especially a concern among people who are very active. When you take a run, your internal temperature rises. The sudden exposure to cold water puts the digestive system in shock. This “shock” can, in turn, result in the development of pain symptoms.
The body does not absorb cold water directly. Instead, your stomach first heats up the water to ensure it matches your body temperature. If you eat something afterward, you also risk experiencing pain. This happens because the water is still in your stomach, causing the stomach to fill up too much.
Medical Conditions That May Cause Stomach Pain When Drinking Water
Sometimes, pain in your stomach after a glass of water is a sign of something more serious. There are certain underlying conditions that can contribute to these symptoms. With this in mind, you should educate yourself on these possible causes.
Also, consider additional symptoms that each of these underlying medical problems can cause. This helps you identify the possibility and take appropriate action before complications develop. In this section, we look at common health problems that can contribute to stomach cramps after drinking water.
Inflammatory Conditions
Inflammation is a response from the immune system. When the immune system creates inflammation, it is to ward off a pathogen invading the body. There are cases where inflammation becomes more consistent. Some conditions can cause chronic inflammation. In such a scenario, the inflammatory triggers can affect your digestive tract.
In this case, drinking water can cause a sensitivity reaction in your stomach. If an inflammatory condition triggers the pain, then you will notice that cold water makes it worse. Some people explain that the pain is accompanied by a burning sensation when inflammation is the underlying problem.
Irritable bowel syndrome is a good example of an inflammatory condition that can cause these issues. Look out for signs of bloating, excess gas, and alternating between constipation and diarrhea. These are also symptoms linked to IBS.
Ulcers In Stomach
Every year, about 4.6 million individuals in the United States develop a stomach ulcer. The condition is sometimes referred to as peptic ulcer disease. One study reports that the lifetime risk of a stomach ulcer is about 10%. If you have an ulcer, then the acidity created by water can cause irritation.
When the acids cause irritation on the ulcer, you experience pain. The ulcer can also cause a burning sensation in the abdomen. There are drugs that help in the treatment of stomach ulcers.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is commonly simply referred to as GERD. The condition affects the lower part of the esophagus. Normally, this part of the esophagus closes after food enters your stomach.
If it fails to close properly, food and liquids can push back into your esophagus. When you drink water under this condition, the liquids mix with the acids in your stomach. This can cause the acids to push back into your esophagus. If this happens, then you experience pain and additional symptoms of GERD.
During long fasting, you may also cause stomach pain due to acid reflux. Read how to deal with Stomach Pain after Fasting.
Avoid Stomach Pain When Drinking Water
When you experience stomach spasms after drinking water, there are a few things you can do. It is important to consider the possibility of an underlying health condition.
If there is a medical condition causing stomach pain, then you should visit a doctor. This allows the healthcare provider to perform a few tests. When the doctor diagnoses you with a condition, then they can provide appropriate treatments.
This is especially important if you experience stomach pain and diarrhea after drinking water. The same applies to cases where you have a burning sensation that accompanies the pain.
In addition to getting a condition diagnosed, there are a few simple remedies you can try at home. Here are a few of the remedies that you can try:
- Take a closer look at your diet. If you enjoy eating a lot of spicy food, then this can irritate the lining of your stomach.
- Reduce the consumption of heavily processed foods. This limits irritation in your digestive tract.
- Consider drinking warm water. The water should not be boiling hot. Lukewarm water is best. This does not only reduce the risk of stomach pain after drinking water, but also allows your body to absorb the liquids faster.
- It is also important to consider the source of the water you drink. Contamination is commonly reported in tap water. Test your water frequently to check for the presence of contaminants. It is a good idea to get a water filter.
FAQ
Why does drinking water make my stomach hurt?
If your stomach hurts after drinking water, then it is important to consider underlying medical conditions. Try to rule out conditions like GERD, IBS, inflammation, and a stomach ulcer. Once you rule these out, consider other possible causes.
Look at how quickly you drink water and at what times it causes you to experience pain. If you drink water too quickly, try to slow down. If you drink water first thing in the morning, try to eat breakfast first.
Why do I get cramps after drinking water?
If the pain feels like a cramp, then it could be related to the temperature of your water. Coldwater can result in a shock effect on the digestive tract. This can, in turn, result in cramping. Try to avoid cold water, especially if you work out.
If drinking water causes stomach pain and cramps, then make sure you are not drinking too much. Your stomach has a limited capacity for solids and liquids. If you add too many liquids to your stomach, then you have a risk of experiencing abdominal pain after drinking water.
Thus, consider your limit and avoid going over this amount of water. You are more likely to fill your stomach to the point where it cramps if you drink your water too quickly.
Why does my stomach hurt when I drink water?
Stomach pain when eating or drinking can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you experience heartburn too, consider the possibility of IBS or GERD. If a burning sensation accompanied the pain, then you should get yourself checked for a stomach ulcer.
Both liquids and foods can irritate the lining when there is an ulcer in your stomach. It is possible that too much food and water at the same time can be the cause too.
Can water give you stomach cramps?
Yes, it is possible to experience stomach cramps due to the consumption of water. This often happens when you drink water that is much colder than your current body temperature. Cramping can also be a sign that you are drinking too much water at a time. In this case, you overload your stomach with fluids.
