How To Help Stomach Virus Pain

Signs And Symptoms Of Gastroenteritis

The signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis may include:

• Watery diarrhea
• Lightheadedness
• Increased thirst

In infants, you may look for signs of fewer and drier diapers. Thirst and a dry mouth and skin can also be common indications of stomach flu in infants. If you doubt that you or your little one has gastroenteritis, waste no time in seeing a doctor immediately.

What Is The Stomach Flu

Unlike the seasonal flu, a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus, stomach flu refers to several viruses that cause the intestines to become inflamed. A common cause of the stomach flu is norovirus.

Norovirus can spread quickly and easily through shared spaces like schools, office buildings, restaurants, and on public transportation

Lime Or Lemon Juice Baking Soda And Water

Some studies suggest that mixing lime or lemon juice in water with a pinch of baking soda can help to relieve a variety of digestive complaints.

This mixture produces carbonic acid, which may help to reduce gas and indigestion. It may also improve liver secretion and intestinal mobility. The acidity and other nutrients in lime or lemon juice can help to digest and absorb fats and alcohol while neutralizing bile acids and reducing acidity in the stomach.

Most traditional recipes recommend mixing the following quantities:

• 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon or lime juice
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 8 oz of clean water

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Preventing The Stomach Flu

If you know the stomach flu is going around, take extra precautions. Avoid close contact with infected people if possible and wash your hands frequently.

Some basic ways to avoid getting the stomach flu include washing your hands regularly and getting plenty of rest. Here are additional methods of prevention:

• Use the dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand when possible.
• Use soap and water instead of hand sanitizer.
• Keep a sick family member isolated. Try to restrict them to one bathroom, and have the rest of the household use another.
• Wipe off shopping cart handles.
• Clean countertops and surfaces with a disinfectant spray, and be sure to wash clothes and bedding as well.

Natural Remedies For Stomach Pain

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When I worked in the Wellness Department at the local co-op, one of the most common requests from customers was how to naturally ease stomach pain. From mothers with colicky babies to cancer patients, Ive helped dozens of people choose the most effective and safest remedy for stomach problems.

Heres a list of twelve herbal and home remedies to help soothe many types of stomach discomfort.

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Also Check: How To Increase Stomach Acid Naturally

The Truth About Vitamin C And Mild Stomach Upset

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that isnt stored very well in the body. The Reference Nutrient Intake for vitamin C is set in the UK at 40mg, which is the amount for 97.5% of the population to ward off deficiency disease, rather than being recommended for optimum health.

An important thing to note is that our need for vitamin C demands change according to lifestyle factors are we warding off an infection? Are we stressed? Do we smoke or are we exposed to other toxins ?

Preventing Spread Of Gastroenteritis

To stop you getting or spreading gastroenteritis, follow these tips.

• Always wash your hands with soap and water after going to the loo or changing your babys nappy.
• Practise good food hygiene , and always wash your hands before and after preparing or eating food.
• Wash dirty clothing or bed linen separately and at the highest temperature possible . Only half fill the washing machine, so everything is very clean and well-rinsed.
• Clean loo seats, flush handles, taps, surfaces and door handles every day with soap and hot water. If you have a disinfectant, use this to clean the loo. Throw away any cleaning cloths after youve used them or use them just for cleaning the loo and nothing else.
• Don’t share towels or flannels.
• Dont go swimming for at least two weeks after your diarrhoea has stopped if youve been diagnosed with a parasite called Cryptosporidium.
• Stay off work for at least 48 hours after your diarrhoea or sickness has stopped. Stay away from hospitals and GP surgeries if you can too. This will stop you spreading the infection to people who are most likely to get complications.

Young babies can be immunised against rotavirus, a common cause of gastroenteritis. This is given as drops into their mouth in two doses the first at two months and the second at three months.

Before travelling to another country, check which precautions you should take at www.travelhealthpro.org.uk. You may need vaccinations or to drink bottled water, for example.

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Stomach Flu And Dehydration

How can I prevent dehydration?If your baby or child has had several bouts of vomiting or diarrhea, he or she will need to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.

If you are breastfeeding, continue to give your baby breastmilk. Breastmilk has fluids and electrolytes needed to prevent dehydration. Your doctor may also want you to give your baby an oral rehydration solution .

If you feed your baby formula, try switching to one that is lactose free while your baby is sick. Lactose can make diarrhea worse. Your doctor may also suggest switching from formula to an ORS for 12 to 24 hours, and then switching back.

For toddlers and young children, use an ORS, which contains the right mix of salt, sugar, potassium and other nutrients to help replace lost body fluids. Children older than 1 year may also have clear soups, clear sodas or juice mixed with water to help prevent dehydration. You should avoid giving your child plain water and dark sodas. Water alone does not contain enough salt and nutrients to help with dehydration. Dark sodas are typically very high in sugar and can irritate your childs stomach.

Signs of dehydration

• Little or lack of urine, or urine that is darker than usual
• Urinating less frequently than usual
• Thirst
• Irritability
• Dry mouth
• No tears when crying
• In babies who are younger than 18 months old, sunken soft spots on the top of their heads
• Skin that isnt as springy or elastic as usual
• Sleepiness

What is an ORS?

Should I feed my child when he or she has diarrhea?

Ask For Help If You Are Still Uncomfortable

Years ago, when I didnt know any better, it was okay for me to miss a few days of vitamins. But now, knowing what I know about macular degeneration and the health of my eyes, its not.

Taking my vitamins is a very important part of my daily health care routine. I hope to be able to help anyone who is struggling to take their vitamins daily but desires to. Please feel free to reach out to us so we can try to help.

Were here for you!

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Can Gastroenteritis Be Prevented

Germs that cause gastroenteritis are contagious. The best way to avoid the illness is to keep the germs from spreading:

• Teach all family members to wash their hands well and often. They should wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. This is especially important after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food.
• Clean tabletops, doorknobs, and other surfaces that get touched a lot with a cleaner that kills viruses.
• Follow food safety guidelines to prevent bacteria and viruses from getting into food and drinks .
• Make sure your kids get all recommended immunizations on time.

How Is Gastroenteritis Treated

There is no specific treatment for gastroenteritis, and most kids can be treated at home. Keep your child hydrated by offering plenty of liquids. Kids with more severe dehydration may need treatment in the ER or hospital.

Mild dehydration is treated with oral rehydration. This usually includes giving oral rehydration solution . It has the right amounts of water, sugar, and salt to help with dehydration. You can buy it without a prescription at drugstores or supermarkets. If you cant get oral rehydration solution, talk to your doctor.

If your child has mild dehydration and your doctor says its OK to start treatment at home:

• Give your child an oral electrolyte solution as often as possible. If your child throws up, start with small sips, about 1 or 2 teaspoons every few minutes.
• Babies can continue to breastfeed or take formula as long as they are not throwing up repeatedly.
• Don’t give babies plain water instead of oral rehydration solution. It doesn’t have the right nutrients for babies with dehydration.
• Older children can have frozen electrolyte popsicles.
• Do not give your child full-strength juice , soda, or sports drinks. These have a lot of sugar, which can make diarrhea worse.

When your child stops vomiting, you can offer small amounts of solid foods, such as toast, crackers, rice, or mashed potatoes. Yogurt, fruits, vegetables, and lean meat, like chicken, are also OK.

Don’t give medicines for diarrhea or vomiting unless your doctor tells you to.

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Abdominal Pain After Stomach Flu

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What Are The Gut

Recent studies have shown that several Omicron positive patients suffer from gut-related problems like Nausea, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Heartburn, Bloating.

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“We know that this virus travels to different parts of the body. It’s possible that Omicron or another variant is attacking the gut. And this would not be showing in the nose – so you could have a gut infection but not show up as positive,” Tim Spector, ZOE Covid Symptom Study’s Professor, told The Sun.

However, even before the discovery of Omicron, several people complained of stomach aches when they contracted COVID. So this is not a new symptom, but it is lesser known.

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How To Calm An Anxious Stomach: The Brain

Ever wonder why you get butterflies in your stomach before doing something stressful? Or why you feel like your stomach is tied in knots after an argument? Ever had a meeting with a toilet that went longer than expected and it wasnt caused by anything you ate? Stomach problems are one of the most common symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Researchers have identified a powerful connection between the gut and the brain. Like the brain, the gut is full of nerves. It contains the largest area of nerves outside the brain with the digestive tract and the brain sharing many of the same nerve connections.

Whether its a single nerve-wracking event or chronic worry and stress over time, stress can exact a physical toll on your digestive system. When you are anxious, some of the hormones and chemicals released by your body enter your digestive tract, where they interfere with digestion. They have a negative effect on your gut flora and decrease antibody production. The resulting chemical imbalance can cause a number of gastrointestinal conditions.

Common stress-related gut symptoms and conditions include:

• indigestion
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• and peptic ulcers

Six Tips for Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Using Hot Water Bottles To Relieve Stomachache

Hot compresses can help soothe stomach pain. The word hot is used loosely here, since the desired level of heat will depend on both the level of pain and personal preference.

Fill the bottle or similar object with warm or hot water, place a cloth between it and your skin, and find a comfortable place to lie down.

• Place the hot water bottle, or a cloth soaked in hot water, on stomach for a five- to 10-minute treatment throughout the day.
• Take a warm shower or bath twice a day for 15- to 20-minute intervals.

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What To Do When A Stomach Bug Strikes

Tummy trouble. A stomachache. Feeling sick to your stomach. The stomach flu. Those are lots of different names and phrases, but they all basically talk about the same thinga stomach bug. What should you do when youre feeling sick?

Theres no doubt about it. Stomach-related illnesses are never pleasant. Whether you have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a combination, tummy troubles can leave you feeling weak and out of sorts.

So, what should you do if you think you have a stomach bug, most often the result of viral gastroenteritis or the norovirus? Becky Bruce, family nurse practitioner with West Tennessee Medical Group, has some tips.

Determining That You Have a Stomach BugThe first step toward effectively finding relief from a stomach bug is determining that what youre experiencing is actually a stomach bug.

What do we mean by that?

Well, the symptoms of food poisoning are very similar to those of a stomach bug, so it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two. Consider these questions if you arent sure whether your symptoms are a bug or food poisoning:

Try these tips:

• Rest. Experiencing dehydration due to a stomach bug can leave you feeling incredibly weak. Taking the time to rest and allow your body to recuperate is important. Cut back on your normal activitywhich you probably wont be able to do as you recoup anyhowand get the recommended amount of sleep for your age. You may even need extra sleep to help you recover.

Questions?

The Acupoints Related To Stomach Ache And Abdominal Issues

There are several pressure points that are related to the abdominal region. Applying acupressure to these points can help you to relieve the stomach pain caused by various abdominal issues.

Union Valley

This acupoint is located on the web between the index finger and the thumb. Applying acupressure to it improves overall intestinal function, relieves abdominal pain, regulates diarrhea and constipation, and even helps to fight dysentery.

Inner Gate

This acupoint is located approximately three fingers above the wrist crease on the inner side of the arm. Massage it with your thumb to relieve stomach ache, indigestion, nausea, morning sickness, vomiting, and even reduce anxiety.

Crooked Pond

You can find this acupoint on the side of the elbow, on the outer side of the arm. You need to bend your forearm toward your neck, and locate the end of the crease at the elbow, about halfway up the side of the arm. Stimulating it helps with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.

Middle Cavity

This acupoint is located halfway between the bottom of the breastbone and the belly button. Stimulating it helps with relieving stomach pains caused by abdominal spasms, indigestion, constipation, as well as stress and anxiety.

Sea of Qi

Sea of Vitality

Leg Three Miles

Grandfather-Grandson

Bigger Rushing

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Remedies For Little Ones

As terrible as it is to get the stomach flu yourself, it is even harder to watch your child go through it. If your infants symptoms havent subsided in a day or two, take them to the doctor.

Their doctor can make sure your child is on their way to recovery without any complications. They can also check to make sure there are no other causes for their symptoms.

Encouraging children to continue to take sips of water to replace lost fluids is important to prevent dehydration. All infants and toddlers can also drink an electrolyte solution like Pedialyte.

Stomach Flu And Children

Children can get dehydrated quickly, so if your child has the stomach flu, it’s important that you look for signs that they are very thirsty or has dry skin or a dry mouth. If you have a baby, look for fewer, drier diapers.

Keep children with gastroenteritis out of day care or school until all symptoms are gone. Check with your doctor before giving your child any medicine. Drugs used to control diarrhea and vomiting aren’t usually given to children younger than 5.

To help prevent rotavirus — the most common cause of stomach flu for children — there are two vaccines that can be given to infants. Talk to your doctor about the vaccines.

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How Common Is Indigestion

About 25% of people in the United States experience indigestion each year.

This condition is mostly brought on by eating too much at once or by eating too quickly. Foods that can increase the risk of indigestion include spicy, greasy, or fatty foods. Other potential causes include:

• Feeling stressed
• Drinking too much alcohol, coffee, or carbonated beverages
• Eating foods that contain too much acid, such as tomatoes and oranges
• Smoking
• Taking certain medications, such as certain antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

The stomach discomfort in indigestion is caused by increased sensitivity of the lining of the digestive system to acidity or stretching. In some cases, stomach acid can break down the lining and cause irritation and inflammation.

Treatment for indigestion typically involves medications and changing problematic eating habits, such as avoiding trigger foods, eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day, and reducing alcohol and caffeine intake. Antacids may also help.