12 Stomach Pain Home Remedies
12 Stomach Pain Home Remedies
12 Home Remedies for Stomach Pain and Indigestion
Having an upset stomach and indigestion can be a real pain, but there are several home remedies that can help alleviate your discomfort. If drinking water and avoiding spicy foods don’t do the trick, there are over-the-counter and prescription medications available. In this article, we will explore twelve of the most popular home remedies for stomach pain and indigestion while discussing when it’s best to seek medical advice.
Understanding Stomach Pain
Stomach pain is an ache or discomfort that can occur anywhere between the chest and groin area. The intensity of the pain may vary, and it can affect different parts of the abdomen, such as the appendix, liver, gallbladder, stomach, pancreas, and bowel. Stomach pain can have various causes, including gas, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, pneumonia, heart attack, strangulated hernia, peritonitis, bowel obstruction, appendicitis, pancreatitis, kidney stones, and ovarian cysts.
Common Symptoms of an Upset Stomach and Indigestion
People experiencing an upset stomach and indigestion often encounter symptoms such as heartburn or acid reflux, nausea, bloating, gas, belching (sometimes bringing up bitter or foul-tasting fluid or food), farting, bad-smelling or sour breath, and hiccupping or coughing.
12 Popular Home Remedies for Stomach Pain and Indigestion
1. Drinking Water
Stay hydrated by drinking water to enhance digestion and nutrient absorption. Being dehydrated can make digestion more difficult and less effective, increasing the likelihood of an upset stomach. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests drinking approximately 8 or more cups of water daily, but this can vary depending on factors such as activity levels, elevation, extreme temperatures, general health, and size. For infants and children, specific fluid intake guidelines based on weight are recommended.
Although water may not be to everyone’s taste, convenient products such as water bottles and flavor enhancers can make drinking water throughout the day more enjoyable.
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2. Avoiding Lying Down
Avoid lying down if you want to prevent indigestion from turning into heartburn. When in a horizontal position, stomach acid is more likely to travel backward and move upward, causing heartburn. It’s advisable to avoid lying down or going to bed for at least a few hours after meals to give digestion time to occur properly.
3. Ginger
Ginger has been found to reduce nausea and vomiting, making it a potential remedy for upset stomachs. You can add ginger to your food, drink it as tea, or try natural ginger ales that contain enough ginger to settle an upset stomach. Ginger tea is widely available in supermarkets and online.
While ginger has been shown to help reduce nausea, consuming large amounts may lead to side effects such as gas, heartburn, indigestion, and abdominal discomfort. There are various ginger products available, including ginger tea, ginger chews, ginger lollipops, and ginger supplements.
4. BRAT Diet
Doctors often recommend the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) for people with diarrhea. These bland foods can soothe the stomach and intestines as they do not contain substances that irritate the digestive system. Additionally, these foods are high in nutrients like potassium and magnesium, which can replace those lost through diarrhea and vomiting.
While the BRAT diet can help harden stool and reduce diarrhea and dehydration, it may not provide all the necessary nutrients in the long term. It’s advisable to incorporate a variety of foods into your diet to ensure balanced nutrition.
5. Avoiding Smoking and Drinking Alcohol
Smoking and alcohol can trigger indigestion and other gastrointestinal conditions such as GERD. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake not only improve quality of life but also reduce the risk of certain health conditions, including cancer. However, quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol can be challenging, and individuals may require extra support to succeed. There are various approaches and apps available to help with quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption.
6. Avoiding Difficult-to-Digest Foods
Certain foods are known to increase the risk of indigestion and stomach discomfort, including fatty or acidic foods, wheat products, fruit and fruit juices like watermelon, spicy foods, and greasy foods. Avoiding these difficult-to-digest foods can help ease the stomach and reduce discomfort and pain. Opting for more easily digestible foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can also promote a nutritious and balanced diet.
However, it may be challenging to avoid richer or heavily preserved foods for individuals who have limited access to fresh and nutritious food due to living in food deserts. In such cases, sourcing fresher food or relying on online stores may be necessary.
7. Baking Soda
Some healthcare professionals suggest that baking soda can help relieve heartburn and indigestion by reducing stomach acidity. However, consuming too much baking soda may lead to side effects such as shallow or slow breathing, muscle twitching, muscle spasms, diarrhea, vomiting, and irritability.
8. Figs
Figs contain substances that act as laxatives, easing constipation and encouraging healthy bowel movements. They also contain compounds that may help alleviate indigestion. However, if you are also experiencing diarrhea, it is advisable to avoid consuming figs due to their laxative effects. Figs can be found in various forms, including fig leaves, food, and paste.
9. Aloe Juice
Aloe vera may help reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and colitis, although further research is needed to confirm these benefits. Healthcare professionals suggest that drinking aloe vera juice can provide relief from symptoms such as heartburn, flatulence and belching, nausea and vomiting, and acid and food regurgitation. However, ingesting aloe vera may cause abdominal pain and cramps. Aloe vera juice is widely available commercially.
10. Basil
Basil contains substances that may reduce gas and has anti-inflammatory properties due to its high linoleic acid content. You can find basil in grocery stores, gardening stores, and online. However, individuals living in food deserts may have to rely on online stores if fresh basil is not easily accessible.
11. Licorice
Products that contain licorice root may effectively relieve digestive symptoms. Licorice root tea can be consumed several times daily until symptoms improve. Licorice root teas can be purchased online or can be made at home by mixing 1 or 2 teaspoons of licorice root powder with boiling water. It is important to note that licorice can cause side effects, such as increased blood pressure and decreased potassium levels, which can be dangerous for individuals with high blood pressure or kidney or heart disease.
12. Rice
Plain rice, especially white rice, may be beneficial for those experiencing stomach pain due to irritable bowel syndrome. Rice is part of the BRAT diet that doctors often recommend. While white rice consumption has been associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, this risk is minimal with regular or occasional consumption and may not affect those using it as a remedy for stomach pain. Rice is affordable and widely available in grocery stores.
Prevention Tips for Stomach Pain
To prevent stomach pain, consider the following tips: eat slower, consume less fatty or processed foods, identify food intolerances and allergies, drink more water, reduce stress, and engage in regular exercise. Implementing these measures can significantly reduce the occurrence of stomach pain.
Common Allergies and Intolerances That Cause Stomach Pain
Certain food allergies or intolerances can cause stomach pain and bloating. Common allergens and intolerances include milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, shellfish, fish, eggs, and gluten. If you suspect you have an allergy or intolerance to certain foods or beverages, consult a qualified healthcare professional to discuss elimination diets or testing. There are also at-home food sensitivity tests available, but their reliability varies.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If your stomach pain persists or if you suspect it may be a symptom of another condition, it is crucial to contact a qualified healthcare professional. They can investigate the cause of your stomach pain and provide appropriate treatment.
Immediate medical attention should be sought if stomach pain is accompanied by severe or sudden pain, sweating, a tender or painful stomach, vomiting blood or coffee ground-like vomit, sticky, bloody, or black feces, difficulty passing urine, feces, or gas, difficulty breathing, chest pain, unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite, or jaundice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Upset Stomachs
Does COVID-19 give you stomach cramps? Research suggests that people with COVID-19 may experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and vomiting instead of fever at the start of the illness.
How do I know if my stomach pain is serious? According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), you should seek immediate medical attention if your stomach ache is very severe or has a sudden onset. Other symptoms that warrant medical attention include vomiting blood, difficulty passing urine or feces, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and jaundice.
What are the types of abdominal pain? Abdominal pain can be classified as visceral (aching or cramping pain caused by stretched organ walls), parietal or somatic (sharp, localized pain due to irritation of the peritoneal wall), or referred (pain that the brain mistakes as coming from one place when it originates elsewhere). Doctors can also identify abdominal pain based on the affected abdominal area or the speed at which it develops.
What is the main reason for stomach pain? The most common causes of stomach pain include digestion issues such as indigestion, gas, food intolerances, and constipation; infections like stomach flu, urinary tract infections, or GERD; and menstrual cycle-related pain such as menstrual cramps or pain from ovulation.
How can I relieve pain in my stomach? To alleviate stomach pain, you can try giving your stomach a break by consuming less food and sticking to gentle options like bananas, ensuring hydration, and applying heat to the abdomen using a hot water bottle or warm bath.
When should I go to the doctor for stomach pain? If your stomach pain worsens rapidly or persists, diarrhea lasts more than a few days, you experience atypical vaginal discharge, have difficulty swallowing alongside stomach pain, urination becomes painful or unusual, you notice unexplained weight loss, or you observe nonmenstrual bleeding from the vagina or bleeding from the anus, it is recommended to consult a qualified healthcare professional.
In Conclusion
Stomach pain can result from various conditions, ranging from gas and indigestion to more serious issues like bowel obstruction or appendicitis. Home remedies can provide relief, but it is essential to consult a healthcare professional to confirm that your symptoms are due to indigestion before trying these remedies. Remember to prioritize your well-being and seek medical advice if your symptoms do not improve or if you experience any concerning symptoms alongside your stomach pain.