After Vomiting Should I Drink a Lot of Water? | Livestrong.com (2024)

After Vomiting Should I Drink a Lot of Water? | Livestrong.com (1)

Don't drink too much water after vomiting.

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Vomiting may be caused by a serious illness or may occur as a side effect of a medical treatment or condition. Drinking a lot of water, or any other fluid, after vomiting can cause you to vomit more.

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While vomiting isn't harmful, it can lead to dehydration. This is potentially dangerous, especially for children and older adults. Instead, try drinking small amounts of water. You can start with ice chips if it's easier.

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Tip

While you should hydrate after vomiting, drinking too much water can make you feel sick again. Give yourself a couple of hours to let your stomach settle, then start with small sips.

How to Hydrate After Vomiting

Rehydrating is an important step after vomiting. Don't drink any liquids for one or two hours after vomiting. If your mouth gets dry or you have a bad taste in your mouth, you may suck on ice chips or rinse your mouth out with water.

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One to two hours after vomiting and after nausea has decreased, start to rehydrate slowly. Sip clear fluids every 15 minutes for three to four hours. If you start to vomit again, restart the hydration process from the beginning.

Don't Drink Too Much Water

After vomiting, you may be concerned about rehydrating yourself. You have an important and valid concern. However, instead of chugging a glass of water, try easing yourself back into it. If you drink too fast, you might end up throwing up water after drinking it.

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Here's a quick guide to taking in fluids after vomiting:

  • Let your stomach sit for a couple of hours after you throw up.
  • Start with clear liquids like water.
  • Slowly sip your water first.
  • After slowly sipping a glass of water, you can drink at your normal pace.
  • Try an electrolyte drink, but steer clear of sugary beverages.
  • Continue drinking water slowly, try to get your usual daily requirement but don't push it.
  • If you feel full, stop.
  • Give yourself 24 hours before you start drinking large amounts of water in a short duration.

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Acceptable Fluids After Vomiting

After vomiting, drink clear fluids that do not contain caffeine or alcohol. It's okay to drink water or liquids that contain sugar. Ginger ale, fruit juice, sports drinks and clear broths are acceptable fluids. Do not drink fruit juices that are acidic, such as orange juice or lemonade.

You may also eat ice pops or gelatin snacks. Avoid drinking milk or fatty liquids. If vomiting is accompanied by diarrhea, limit sweetened drinks, which may worsen diarrhea. Instead, choose products specially formulated to replace electrolytes, which are available in liquids and ice pops.

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When to See a Doctor

First aid for vomiting may include self-care, but in other instances, you may need to see a doctor. Dehydration may be caused by a loss of fluids during vomiting, an inability to drink fluids or a combination of both. Children and older adults are most at risk for dehydration after vomiting.

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Since children may not be able to communicate their symptoms to you, watch them closely for signs of dehydration. These include dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes, lack of tears, dizziness and feeling lethargic. Urinating less than once every eight hours is also a sign of dehydration.

See a doctor if you suspect dehydration or if you experience nausea and vomiting that last more than 24 hours. Children need to see a doctor if they've been vomiting for more than 12 hours. Contact a doctor at once for an infant who has a serious bout of vomiting; dehydration can occur very quickly with infants. Other serious symptoms that warrant a doctor's visit include vomiting accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting blood.

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You should also see your doctor if continue vomiting or if you can't stop throwing up bile.

Eating After Vomiting

Wait at least 12 hours after vomiting to eat solid foods. Start with small amounts of crackers, dry toast, pretzels, bananas, white rice, plain potatoes or applesauce. Eat only foods that are bland, avoiding spicy and fatty foods. Also, avoid raw fruits and vegetables if vomiting was accompanied by diarrhea. Stop eating if nausea or vomiting returns.

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After Vomiting Should I Drink a Lot of Water? | Livestrong.com (2024)

FAQs

Should I keep drinking water after throwing up? ›

Do not eat or drink anything for several hours after vomiting. Sip small amounts of water or suck ice chips every 15 minutes for 3-4 hours. Next, sip clear liquids every 15 minutes for 3-4 hours. Examples include water, sports drinks, flat soda, clear broth, gelatin, flavored ice, popsicles or apple juice.

Can you drink too much water after throwing up? ›

Sip a little bit of water at a time, but often

“This is especially important for those who are throwing up, because you don't want to cause a trampoline effect,” Dr. Bates said. “Drinking too much too soon can cause the stomach to stretch out and then bounce those fluids right back out.”

How do you rehydrate after throwing up? ›

Stay hydrated by sucking on ice chips or frozen fruit pops. Try drinking sips of water, weak tea, clear soft drinks without carbonation, noncaffeinated sports drinks, or broth. Sugary drinks may calm the stomach better than other liquids.

How much water do I need after throwing up? ›

Hydrate with clear liquids

Make hydration your main focus after a bout of vomiting, says Dr. Goldman. Start by drinking small sips of water every 15 minutes for the first three to four hours. You can even suck on ice chips.

How much water does it take to rehydrate after vomiting? ›

Purified Water

After you stop vomiting and feel stable, begin by consuming 1 teaspoon of cool water every 10 minutes and gradually increase to 1 tablespoon every half hour. If your body accepts the water and you no longer feel like you might throw up, try larger amounts -- but sip it, don't gulp.

Does Gatorade hydrate you after throwing up? ›

You can also drink sports drinks (Gatorade, Powerade) or rehydration drinks (Pedialyte) to replace lost electrolytes. Some people find clear sodas or ginger ale to be soothing. If you try a soda, drink it at room temperature, without ice.

Should I lie down after vomiting? ›

Allow yourself to rest. Resting propped up in a seated position with the head elevated at least twelve inches above the feet is ideal. Remain in this seated rested position for a minimum of an hour, or until you are no longer experiencing nausea. Do not lie down all the way.

Does throwing up once dehydrate you? ›

Other dehydration causes include: Diarrhea, vomiting. Severe, acute diarrhea — that is, diarrhea that comes on suddenly and violently — can cause a tremendous loss of water and electrolytes in a short amount of time. If you have vomiting along with diarrhea, you lose even more fluids and minerals.

What are the 5 signs of dehydration? ›

Dehydration
  • feeling thirsty.
  • dark yellow, strong-smelling pee.
  • peeing less often than usual.
  • feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
  • feeling tired.
  • a dry mouth, lips and tongue.
  • sunken eyes.

How long does it take to get rehydrated after being sick? ›

It depends on a variety of factors such as how dehydrated you are and how much water you drink at once. In general, however, it usually takes about two hours for your body to rehydrate fully after drinking a significant amount of water.

What is the fastest way to cure dehydration? ›

With beginning symptoms of dehydration, you can rehydrate by consuming fluids that contain electrolytes, such as sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions. There are also foods available that have a high water content, such as fruits and vegetables. These will also help with rehydration.

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