Warm water aids digestion. Those four words are part of Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine and naturopathic medicine as taught in Germany. I have used warm water for the treatment of a variety of ailments of the gastrointestinal tract such as difficulty swallowing, indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome. When patients ask me what I take for acid indigestion my response is water. The same is true for nausea and most dizziness.

Ice water closes up the swallowing mechanism and adds the stress of warming the water to match body temperature. For seniors like me, I do not recommend ice with water. Room temperature water is usually okay, but warm water is soothing. At restaurants, I recommend seniors ask for a cup of warm water or an herbal tea during the meal and especially after.

Every third year medical student is taught the expression, “The solution to pollution is dilution.” The context for this usage is with trauma wounds which may have some contamination, such as from soil or pavement. However, I have seen the expression used in the business world, and I have used it in many other medical contexts.

Water is especially helpful early in the morning on awakening. If I feel any acid indigestion, I will drink some water and it usually passes. Since we breathe water vapor all night, we wake up dehydrated and that can cause dizziness and even vertigo. Drinking water often takes care of the problem quickly.

Here in the desert heat, staying hydrated is especially important. Our body is 60-65% water, so water bathes all our tissues. If someone tells me they do not like water, I urge a change in attitude. Adding flavor, such as lemon, is fine and iced tea is another effective way to consume water.

Our body water is actually salt water similar to the ocean. We evolved from creatures that migrated out of the ocean to land. Because of that, drinking electrolyte water is a good idea. In his book, TB12, recently retired quarterback Tom Brady drinks half his body weight in water every day, about 128 ounces. In her new book, The Anti-Viral Gut, integrative gastroenterologist Robynne Chutkan recommends 128 ounces daily; that is double the usual 64 ounce (8 cups) recommendation. Living here in the desert, such a recommendation is a good idea.

Unfortunately, people often ask for a pill to take for any common symptom. They may be skeptical that water will cure the problem. The water cure is free, and I go to great lengths convincing patients to use water when appropriate. Most of the time they thank me for this advice, as in most cases, it works for them.

Dr. Scherger is founder of Restore Health Disease Reversal in Indian Wells, a clinic dedicated to weight loss and reversing chronic medical conditions. To schedule a consultation or for more information, visit www.restorehealth.me or call (760) 898.9663.