Twelve home remedies for stomach pain in 2022
Everyone experiences an upset stomach and indigestion, or dyspepsia, from time to time after eating or drinking. The condition is usually no cause for concern, and it is often possible to treat the symptoms using home remedies.
Michela Ravasio/Stocksy
Common symptoms of an upset stomach and indigestion include:
heartburn, or acid reflux
nausea
bloating
gas
belching, sometimes bringing up bitter or foul-tasting fluid or food
farting
bad-smelling or sour breath
hiccupping or coughing
This article looks at 12 of the most popular home remedies for an upset stomach and indigestion. We also explain when to see a doctor.
What is stomach pain?
Stomach pain is a pain or an ache that a person experiences anywhere between the chest and groin.
This pain can vary in intensity and affect different areas of the abdomen, such as the:
appendix
liver
gallbladder
stomach
pancreas
bowel
Stomach pain can vary in intensity and has a variety of causes.
Causes of stomach pain
Abdominal pain may be due to more common causes such as gas, indigestion, constipation, and diarrhea. Infectious illnesses such as the flu may also cause abdominal pain.
More uncommon causes includeTrusted Source:
pneumonia
myocardial infarction
strangulated hernia
peritonitis
bowel obstruction
appendicitis
pancreatitis
kidney stones
ovarian cysts
Learn more about the causes of abdominal pain here.
Twelve home remedies
There are several popular home remedies for indigestion. Some remedies may also benefit stomach upset from other sources, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
1. Drinking water
The body needs water to efficiently digest and absorb nutrients from foods and beverages. Being dehydrated makes digestion more difficult and less effective, which increases the likelihood of an upset stomach.
Additionally, drinking water may help reduce heartburn.
The National Health Service in the United Kingdom recommends that males and females drink 6-8 cups of water a day. However, other organizations’ recommendations may vary, such as drinking 4-6 cups of water per day.
Around 20 percent of this will come from food, with the rest coming from beverages. For most people, a good figure to aim for is approximately 8 or more cups of water a day. Younger children require slightly less water than adults:
Children 1-3 years old: 4 cups of water a day.
Children 4-8 years old: 5 cups of water a day.
Children 8 years of age and older: 7-8 cups of water a day.
For those with digestive issues, it is imperative to stay hydrated. Vomiting and diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration, so people with these symptoms should keep drinking water.
Pros and cons
Drinking water can help with digestion and prevent dehydration.
However, some people may forget to drink water throughout the day. Additionally, some people may prefer the taste of other beverages.
2. Avoiding lying down
Avoiding lying down may prevent indigestion from becoming heartburn.
When the body is horizontal, the acid in the stomach is more likely to travel backward and move upward, which can cause heartburn.
People with an upset stomach should avoid lying down or going to bed for at least a few hours until it passes.
Pros and cons
Avoiding lying down may be a convenient remedy if a person performs daily activities.
However, this remedy may not be suitable if a person experiences stomach pain during the time they rest or sleep.
3. Ginger
Ginger may help to reduceTrusted Source nausea and vomiting in people who are pregnant or those who undergo chemotherapy.
People with an upset stomach could try adding ginger to their food or drinking it as a tea. Some all-natural ginger ales may also contain enough ginger to settle an upset stomach.
Ginger tea is widely available to buy in supermarkets and online.
Pros and cons
Research suggests that ginger may help reduce nausea in those who are pregnant.
However, larger doses of ginger may cause side effectsTrusted Source, such as gas, heartburn, indigestion, and abdominal discomfort.
4. BRAT diet
Doctors may recommend the BRAT diet to people with diarrhea.
BRATTrusted Source stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. These foods may decrease the number of stools a person passes and help ease their diarrhea.
As these foods are bland, they do not contain substances that irritate the stomach, throat, or intestines. Therefore, this diet can soothe the tissue irritation resulting from the acids in vomit.
Many of the foods in the BRAT diet are also high in nutrients such as potassium and magnesium and can replace those lost through diarrhea and vomiting.
Pros and cons
The BRAT diet may help harden stools and reduce diarrhea and dehydration. This may help reduce stomach cramps as a result of loose stools.
However, this diet may not be suitable for the long-term, as people may not consume all the necessary nutrients through the food in this diet.
5. Avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol
Smoking and alcohol may triggerTrusted Source indigestion and other gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD).
Pros and cons
Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake improves people’s quality of life and reduces the risk of certain health conditions, such as cancer.
However, avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol can be difficult, and people may require extra support.
For More Details Please Visit: Medical News Today
Note- The information provided on this page is for general purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. All the content provided on this page is my own creativity.
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