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About 10 Hours Ago, I Drank Almost A Gallon Of
Question: About 10 hours ago, I drank almost a gallon of water in a period of about 20 minutes and have been feeling nauseated with intense abdominal cramps ever since. Do I need to seek medical care or wait for it to pass?
Brief Answer:
No need to seek medical care
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor.
I cannot think of any way that drinking that much water would cause abdominal cramps or nausea, and I have never heard a patient report this to me, so I suspect it is not related to your symptoms. It may be that you stretched your stomach somewhat with that volume of water, but it really shouldn't be causing symptoms after 10 hours. Otherwise, it may be that you have a slight gastroenteritis, or ate something you are intolerant to. I wouldn't be surprised if you have diarrhea in the next 24 hours.
It doesn't sound like you need to seek medical care at this point. If it persists for more than a few days, or you develop fever, or are unable to keep even fluids down, then those would be reasons to see a doctor to make sure something more serious isn't going on.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions about any of that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
No need to seek medical care
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor.
I cannot think of any way that drinking that much water would cause abdominal cramps or nausea, and I have never heard a patient report this to me, so I suspect it is not related to your symptoms. It may be that you stretched your stomach somewhat with that volume of water, but it really shouldn't be causing symptoms after 10 hours. Otherwise, it may be that you have a slight gastroenteritis, or ate something you are intolerant to. I wouldn't be surprised if you have diarrhea in the next 24 hours.
It doesn't sound like you need to seek medical care at this point. If it persists for more than a few days, or you develop fever, or are unable to keep even fluids down, then those would be reasons to see a doctor to make sure something more serious isn't going on.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions about any of that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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