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Why do abdominal pain and bloating occur after drinking ginger water?

Mar 12, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
In general, abdominal pain and bloating after drinking ginger water may be caused by excessive consumption, gastrointestinal dysfunction, indigestion, chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, or other related conditions. The appropriate solution depends on the specific underlying cause and requires prompt medical attention and treatment as directed by a physician. During the course of treatment, it is important to follow medical advice, take medications regularly, and make necessary adjustments to lifestyle and dietary habits to promote recovery.

Generally, abdominal pain and bloating after drinking ginger water may be caused by excessive consumption, gastrointestinal dysfunction, indigestion, chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, and other reasons. The solution depends on the specific cause, and prompt medical attention is needed, following the doctor's instructions for treatment. Details are as follows:

1. Excessive consumption: The active ingredients in ginger are highly irritating. Excessive ginger water consumption can overstimulate the gastric and intestinal mucosa, causing gastrointestinal discomfort and abdominal pain. Discontinue ginger water consumption to allow the body to recover naturally. Drinking warm water in moderation can also help alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.

2. Gastrointestinal dysfunction: Poor dietary habits and irregular lifestyles over a long period may lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction. In such cases, consuming ginger water might worsen existing discomfort, causing symptoms like bloating. It is important to adjust dietary habits and lifestyle, maintain regular meal times, avoid overeating, and reduce intake of spicy and irritating foods.

3. Indigestion: Ginger is a stimulating food that may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, leading to indigestion, abdominal distension, and possibly abdominal pain. Under a doctor's guidance, medications such as Baohe Wan, Jianwei Xiaoshi Pian, or Domperidone tablets can be used to promote digestion.

4. Chronic gastritis: Chronic gastritis is a long-term inflammatory condition of the stomach. Ginger water may irritate the gastric mucosa, worsening gastritis symptoms and causing stomach pain and bloating, often accompanied by belching. Patients should follow medical advice to use medications like Omeprazole Enteric-coated Tablets, Hydrotalcite Tablets, or Colloidal Bismuth Pectin Capsules, which can protect the gastric mucosa and alleviate gastritis symptoms.

5. Gastric ulcer: Gastric ulcers involve damage to the stomach lining, and the irritating components in ginger water may exacerbate this damage, causing stomach and abdominal pain, often accompanied by belching. Follow medical advice to use medications such as Potassium Bicarbonate Citrate Tablets, Cimetidine Injection, or Nizatidine Tablets to inhibit gastric acid secretion and reduce irritation to the gastric mucosa.

During treatment, follow the doctor's instructions for timely medication and pay attention to adjusting lifestyle and dietary habits to promote recovery.

References:

1. Ge Junbo, Xu Yongjian. "Internal Medicine [M]." People's Health Publishing House, 2018: 405-406.

2. Qian Jiaming. "Chinese Medical Encyclopedia: Gastroenterology [M]." Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Peking Union Medical College Publishing House, 2018: 320-321.

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