Lack of fluids causing problems?

L

Lara maree

New member
Can anyone tell me if you don't drink enough fluids, can it cause stomach issues, like nausea, stomach pains, acid reflux and constipation?

I was told over the years that I had IBS and acid reflux but mostly the dr's have no idea why I have such problems with my stomach.

Something made me think today that it might be from lack of fluids. I definately don't drink much as all. On a regular day I might have 2 cups of coffee, 1-2 glasses of water or iced tea and maybe a glass of wine. I know it's stupid but I just don't like to drink, epecially when my stomach is not feeling good. The thought of adding more fluids onto an upset stomach isn't good, so I just avoid drinking.

But I know I get signs of dehydration often (dark urine and dizziness). So, if lack of water can cause my symptoms but drinking makes me feel worse, how can I fix the problem?
 
I know how you feel. I don't like to drink or eat anything when I am having a bad reflux day. However, it is very important to stay hydrated, not just for the stomach but also for your kidneys, electrolites and other important bodily functions.

You also mention drinking coffee and tea, two drinks I love but two I have had to reluctantly avoid. They both contain caffeine and even decaffeinated coffee is very acid on the stomach. The wine, if red, can also be very acidic.

Drink lots of water if you can. It is good for your stomach, kidneys and everything else.

But I have had the same problem. I am afraid to drink anything, including water, when I am having a bad day of reflux. It is almost as if I don't want to "wake up" my stomach.
 
Hello, Forensicmon: It is not the water; it is what you eat that matters - especially for someone with IBS. With fast food outlets all around us and growing, refined foods without any fiber - and a lot of preservatives in, like MSG, etc., are not friendly to our stomach. And people run to pharmacies where whole isles are stocked with laxative ads,
because in the "fast pace" of life, we seek easy solutions. I had some of the problems you have, and I corrected them by cooking my own food - mostly grains and veggies, and by making my own whole wheat bread. How about water intake? 1 16oz cup of
coffee at rise - with a slice of whole wheat bread, lite margarine and honey, + 1 16oz
coffee ( Point: I make my coffee lite, no sugar or cream - just better than plain water)
after my 2 mile jog at 10am, and one 1 16oz decaf after my dinner. And that's all now in winter - but I drink more water in the summer.



Do I sound like a coffee edict? Not really. A person who drinks 2 cups of restaurant grade strong coffee takes in 2-3 times more caffeine daily than me. I have no problems with acidity, bloating or regularity, but I had many during my student years that I was eating only commercial foods because I had just a room and no kitchen to cook.

Would drinking 8 glasses of water a day, the standard mantra of hydration, help you?
I don't believe that myth, but we need water with food, which then is mixed with acids in the stomach to help its digestion. Too much water dilute the acids, slow down digestion, and overload the kidneys to pass it out. Therefore, you are NOT STUPID by
not forcing yourself to drink excess water. But I believe your diet needs change.
What change? Write down in a calendar what you each each day -fully- and keep notes
next day on how the day before went stomach-wise by giving A,B,C, or D grades to the food of that day. After a month, evaluate, and start eating foods that you graded A or B! Not all stomachs are the same, so you have to research yours - with healthy foods, and by avoiding dairy foods for a while - just in case you have lactose intolerance.
Good luck!
 
Thanks for the responses however I rarely ever eat fast food and all of the meals I cook are almost always on the healthy side. I only use whole grains, lean meats and fresh vegtables amd fruits. I never use canned or frozen veggies. During the summer, I grow my own without pesticides.

I have done the elimination diet a few times (no dairy, no wheat, no fatty/greasy foods, no acidic foods, etc) and all that did was make me feel worse b/c I wasn't able to eat hardly anything. My doctor was shocked when I dropped to 104lbs but she told me I couldn't eat anything! Once I started eating more foods (getting more calories) and started acupuncture, I started feeling better. I'm A LOT better then I was but I still have some problems with my stomach, dizzy spells and mild constipation. I've never taken any type of laxatives and I don't even take ANY medication, other then birth control pills that I just started taking to help control the anemia.

I figured it couldn't hurt to try and make myself drink more water during the day and see how it makes me feel, especially since I know I show signs of mild dehrydration almost every day (mild dizziness, dry mouth and dark urine).
 
If nothing else the water will help with the constipation. But not drinking enough fluids, asides from being hard on your organs, also is hard on your mental accuity. It also causes dry skin-which ages you more quickly(don't know if you care about this or not).

My doctors were at me to make sure that I consume at least 64 ounces of fluid a day..it helps thin mucus when the allergies hit also.

If you don't like plain water, squeeze some lemon or lime in it for some taste that is fresh. Good luck.
 
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