From the Research
Early morning nausea when drinking water is most likely caused by mild gastritis or acid reflux triggered by alcohol and oily foods, and reducing alcohol intake and limiting oily food consumption can help alleviate symptoms. To address this, consider the following:
- Reduce alcohol intake to no more than one drink per session or abstain completely for a few weeks to see if symptoms improve 1.
- Limit oily food consumption and avoid eating within 3 hours of bedtime.
- Try drinking room temperature water instead of cold water in the morning, and sip it slowly rather than gulping.
- Over-the-counter medications like famotidine (Pepcid) 20mg once daily or omeprazole 20mg once daily for 2 weeks may help reduce stomach acid, as supported by studies on nausea and vomiting 2. Some key points to consider:
- Alcohol irritates the stomach lining and increases acid production, while oily foods slow digestion and can worsen reflux symptoms.
- The nausea is often worse in the morning because lying flat allows stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, and the stomach is empty, making acid more concentrated.
- If symptoms persist beyond 2-3 weeks despite these changes, or if you develop additional symptoms like persistent pain, vomiting, or weight loss, consult a healthcare provider for proper evaluation. It's also important to note that the provided studies on ondansetron and metoclopramide 1, 2 are not directly relevant to the question of early morning nausea in a normal person, but they do provide insight into the treatment of nausea and vomiting in general. However, the most recent and highest quality study on this topic is not available in the provided evidence, so the recommendation is based on general medical knowledge and the available evidence on similar topics.