The 14 Foods To Eat When You Have A Stomachache
- Stomach aches can be brutal and hard to cure.
- Bland food is best when trying to clear up a stomachache.
- From crackers to apples, these are the foods you should eat when you have an upset stomach.
Do you know anyone who wants to keel over, crying out in pain from how horrible their stomach feels at the moment? No one? Right, exactly. Stomach aches are BRUTAL, especially when you’re supposed to be having fun over a long weekend. In my case, that happened to be Thanksgiving last fall, during which I ate a horrendous bratwurst/hot dog concoction in Germany. It reared its ugly head when I discovered I contracted food poisoning on my flight to Barcelona the next day. Lovely. Luckily, my friends helped to cure me with the blandest of bland foods, and I became aware of what to eat with a stomach ache. Now as a survivor of blind faith in bratwurst, I’m here to assist with a list of what to eat when those stomach cramps finally hit. I apologize in advance.
Effects Of Drinking Excessive Tea
Herbal teas are brimming with beautiful health benefits and can help with everything from easing stomachache to calming the nervous system and helping you sleep. Many herbal teas have barely any side effects and can be consumed safely. However, sometimes stronger teas on an empty stomach can irritate your system. Drinking too much tea with caffeine can also lead to side effects if you consume too much.
For those who want to reduce the potentiality for side effects from tea, we suggest drinking light teas and opting for dried leaves and tea bags or tea drops rather than freshly picked leaves. We also suggest consuming tea in moderation.
Treatment For Abdominal Pain In Adults
Your treatment depends on what is causing your pain, but may include:
- Pain relief your pain may not go away fully with painkillers, but it should ease.
- Fluids you may have fluids given into a vein to correct fluid loss and rest your bowel.
- Medicines for example, you may be given something to stop you vomiting.
- Fasting your doctor may ask you not to eat or drink anything until the cause of your pain is known.
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Ginger Can Relieve Nausea And Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of an upset stomach.
Ginger, a fragrant edible root with bright yellow flesh, is frequently used as a natural remedy for both of these symptoms .
Ginger can be enjoyed raw, cooked, steeped in hot water or as a supplement, and is effective in all forms .
Its often taken by women suffering from morning sickness, a type of nausea and vomiting that can occur during pregnancy.
A review of 6 studies including over 500 pregnant women found that taking 1 gram of ginger daily was associated with 5 times less nausea and vomiting during pregnancy .
Ginger is also helpful for people undergoing chemotherapy or major surgery, since these treatments can cause severe nausea and vomiting.
Taking 1 gram of ginger daily, prior to undergoing chemo or surgery, can significantly reduce the severity of these symptoms .
Ginger can even be used as a natural remedy for motion sickness. When taken beforehand, it can help reduce the intensity of nausea symptoms and speed of recovery time .
How this works is not entirely understood, but its hypothesized that ginger regulates nervous system signaling in the stomach and speeds up the rate at which the stomach empties, thereby reducing nausea and vomiting .
Ginger is generally considered safe, but heartburn, stomach pain and diarrhea can occur at doses above 5 grams per day .
Summary Ginger can help reduce nausea and vomiting, especially when associated with pregnancy, surgery, chemotherapy or motion sickness.
Chamomile Tea To Help Prevent Excessive Farting
Chamomile tea is another great home remedy to prevent bloating and excessive farting thanks to its ability to calm the intestines.
The journal Molecular Medicine Reports says that chamomile is a natural digestive relaxant and will help to relieve excess gas. Chamomile is used to treat flatulence, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. Chamomile also helps to prevent gastrointestinal inflammation.13
How to use chamomile to relieve stomach gas pain:
It is very easy to make your own chamomile tea to help improve your digestive health and stop gas building up. This is what you should do:
After you have finished with the chamomile tea bag, dont throw it away, as used tea bags have many beneficial uses.
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Why Make Yourself Fart
Because farting in public is generally frowned upon, why would you want to make yourself fart? It is completely normal for gas to build up in the digestive system and you have to release the gas in some way.
Gas, flatus, or abdominal wind is produced when foods break down in the gut. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that your large intestine holds bacteria that break down undigested food. This can result in vapors forming in the gut that may or may not have a distinct and offensive smell when you fart.1
Another reason for a buildup of gas causing you to fart more is swallowing air. This can happen because of eating too fast, drinking fizzy drinks, chewing gum, or smoking. The NIDDK says that any air not expelled through the mouth eventually has to be passed out as gas.
According to Johns Hopkins Medical, some of the related symptoms of trapped intestinal gas are bloating, abdominal pain and discomfort, and belching. Thankfully, having gas is not a life-threatening condition however, being able to make yourself fart to release gas from your gut is usually the only way to get rid of discomfort from the abdominal pain.2
Researchers from the NIDDK say that health conditions can increase gas and make you break wind more. They highlighted irritable bowel syndrome, overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, gastroesophageal reflux , or certain food intolerances can cause flatulence.1
Water Quality And Stomach Ache
Drinking safe and clean water is essential to remaining healthy. However, the water in our taps usually comes from municipality distribution. There can be many impurities that are missed during the initial water treatment, or the water can pick up unwanted contaminants due to unmaintained and old water pipes.
The following can be some water quality-related issues that are causing your stomach ache:
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Sharp Jabbing Pain In The Upper Right Abdomen
Possible explanation: gallstones
What is it: The gallbladder stores some of the bile that is used in digestion it combines with digestive juices from the liver and pancreas to break down the partially digested food that has left the stomach and entered the small intestine. The most frequent cause of gallstones is when the liver excretes excess cholesterol that excess cholesterol can collect in the gallbladder and harden into gallstones. The gallbladder sits next to the liver, and it is in this location in the upper right abdomen that sharp pain can be felt when the body attempts to pass the gallstones through the narrow biliary duct.
Treatment: Some people have gallstones without any symptoms at all, but when pain begins, the condition needs to be treated soon. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatments range from oral medication to dissolve the stones to surgery to remove the gallbladder.
Best Home Remedies For Upset Stomach
Upset stomach or indigestion is very common nowadays! Everyone suffers from this one or another day. Also, there is nothing more uncomfortable than an upset stomach. This feeling of stomach discomfort increased now may be due to lack of physical activity. The covid-19 pandemic has given a sudden break to our life including our physical activity. The new culture of work disturbed our daily routine somehow. That is one of the causes that most of us facing stomach upset problem daily basis.
In medical terms, an upset stomach is also called dyspepsia that describes discomfort in your upper abdomen. An upset stomach is not a disorder but a bunch of digestive disorder symptoms that make you uncomfortable. It can also be a symptom of another digestive tract disease.
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Bland Carbohydrates May Be More Easily Tolerated
Bland carbohydrates like rice, oatmeal, crackers and toast are often recommended for people suffering from upset stomachs.
While this recommendation is common, there is little evidence to show that they actually help relieve symptoms.
However, many people report that these foods are easier to keep down when youre not feeling well .
While bland carbohydrates may be more palatable during an illness, its important to expand your diet again as soon as possible. Restricting your diet too much may keep you from getting enough of the vitamins and minerals your body needs in order to heal .
Summary
Many people with an upset stomach find bland carbohydrates easier to tolerate than other foods, but there is little evidence to show that they actually relieve symptoms.
Peppermint Oil To Get Rid Of Trapped Gas
If you have to make yourself fart frequently throughout the day, then taking peppermint oil can help reduce trapped gas in your belly.
Peppermint oil capsules allow the healing properties of peppermint to get to your gut and prevent stomach irritation. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology reported that taking peppermint oil can help get rid of trapped gas. It was found that taking peppermint oil capsules regularly can help reduce flatulence and other symptoms related to IBS and other digestive conditions.11
Also, the International Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology reported that taking enteric-coated peppermint oil for 4 weeks significantly improved IBS symptoms.12
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How Common Are Stomachaches
Just about everybody will experience abdominal pain at one point or another. Most causes of abdominal pain are not serious and resolve spontaneously. A healthcare provider can usually readily diagnose and treat these conditions. However, abdominal pain can also be a sign of a serious illness, or even an emergency. Abdominal pain is responsible for some 5% of emergency room visits.
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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Stay Upright To Make Farting Easier And Quicker
Interestingly, staying in the upright position may make it easier to fart when you need to.
Although many people find that lying down helps to ease abdominal discomfort, staying upright may help to make yourself break wind easier. For example, a report published in the journal Gut reported that the upright position helps ease symptoms of flatulence and propel gas from your gut easier. Being upright, rather than lying on your back, also helps to get relief from bloating and gut distention.8
Research: Soothing An Upset Tummy Pain With Tea
There has been a ton of research into how tea helps to heal an upset stomach. Whether its a close look at the gastro and pharmaceutical benefits and effects of green tea or how chamomile can bring its healing benefits to the body, the studies around tea and stomach ache dont come from new-age thinking but are ancient remedies that are solidly backed up by science. For each tea, we mention theres scientific data to cement the fact that this tea can help treat the symptoms of stomach ache, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastrointestinal upsets like diarrhea, flatulence, and even constipation.
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Consider A Digestive Aid
You might consider an over-the-counter digestive aid if your discomfort persists despite trying other measures. Chewing a couple of antacid tablets can help, especially if you are experiencing heartburn as well as stomach discomfort.
Products containing bismuth subsalicylate claim to relieve a variety of digestive symptoms that might plague you after eating too much, including indigestion, heartburn and stomach upset. Anti-gas products that contain simethicone are particularly helpful if you are suffering with a lot of gas and belching along with your stomach discomfort.
When To Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Get medical help immediately if:
- You have abdominal pain that is very sharp, severe, and sudden.
- You also have pain in the chest, neck, or shoulder.
- Youre vomiting blood, have bloody diarrhea, or have black, tarry stools
- You have a high fever.
- Youre having difficulty breathing.
- You develop consistent nausea and/or vomiting.
- Your abdomen is stiff, hard, and tender to the touch.
- You cant move your bowels, especially if youre also vomiting
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Arsenic Or Other Contamination
Arsenic in groundwater is a huge issue in many countries, such as Bangladesh. Arsenic poisoning can be linked with acute vomiting, abdominal pain, and watery diarrhea. Similarly, contaminants such as mercury, copper, manganese etc. in your drinking water can also cause an upset stomach. This is why you need to perform regular tests on your drinking water quality.
Diagnosis Of Abdominal Pain In Adults
If examinations and tests are needed, these may include:
- a rectal exam to check for hidden blood or other problems
- if you are a man, the doctor may check your penis and scrotum
- if you are a woman, the doctor may do a pelvic exam to check for problems in your womb , fallopian tubes and ovaries, and do a pregnancy test
- a blood test to look for infection or bleeding
- other blood tests may look at enzymes in the liver, pancreas and heart to sort out which organ may be involved
- a urine test to look for a urine infection or blood
- an ECG to rule out a heart attack
- other tests, including x-ray, ultrasound or CT scan
- sometimes you may be referred to another doctor to help find the cause of the problem.
- endoscopy is an examination where a flexible tube with a light and video camera at the tip is used to examine some internal organs without the need for surgery. Different names are used depending on which organ is being looked at.
If you do have tests, the doctor will explain the results to you. Some results may take a number of days to come back and these will be sent to your local doctor.
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Take A Break From Feasting
When you’ve stuffed yourself to the point of stomach discomfort, it is time to take a break from eating and drinking for at least a few hours. This gives your stomach a chance to empty. The amount of time needed to completely empty your stomach significantly increases if you have eaten a large amount of high-fat foods.
It’s best to also eschew smoking and chewing gum to avoid swallowing air, further distending your already bloated stomach. When you feel up to eating again, try sticking to light low-fat fare, such a small bowl of clear soup and a cup of tea or coffee.
How Do Doctors Find The Cause Of A Bellyache
Your doctor will first ask you some questions, examine you, and maybe do some tests. Your doctor may suggest you take some medicine or might give you special instructions for eating to help your body heal the bellyache.
If it turns out that you have appendicitis, you will need an operation called an appendectomy .
If stress is behind your stomach problems, your doctor may recommend a specialist, such as a psychologist. These experts can help kids figure out the source of the stress and help them come up with some ideas for how to fix the problems or handle them better.
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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.
Drink Club Soda And Lime
Like lemon, lime can help ease an aching tummy. Combine the lime with club soda and you have an easy drink to sip on to wash away the pain. If you overate and have a stomach ache as a result, the carbonation in club soda will encourage you to burp, therefore relieving pressure in your belly. It has been shown to help greatly with dyspepsia and constipation.
You will need-8 ounces of cool club soda-Fresh lime juice
DirectionsMix 8 ounces of club soda with the juice of half a lime. Stir and sip slowly.
I myself have had more than a few unfortunate run-ins with stomach aches, particularly this past year. Thanks to some generous family genes, I seem quite prone to them. Second to headaches, I find chronic stomach pain to be one of the most distracting to deal with day-to-day.
By keeping a couple options for stomach ache remedies on hand at all time, I find I can usually be prepared to ward it off should it start to creep up.
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