What Should I Take For An Upset Stomach

How Is Upset Stomach Diagnosed

Most cases of upset stomach are mild and self-limiting and able to be treated at home. The cause of more serious cases of upset can be diagnosed with a patient history of symptoms and a physical examination of the abdomen, which may include palpation of the area to check for tenderness, enlarged organs, or masses, and listening to the abdomen with a stethoscope for bowel sounds.

Other physical examinations to help determine the cause of an upset stomach may include:

• Rectal examination

When To See A Doctor

An upset stomach and diarrhea are usually nothing to worry about. Consult your doctor if the symptoms donât go away after two days or if they begin to get worse in that time. Additionally, consult your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• You feel dehydrated, including feeling excessive thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness
• You have severe abdominal or rectal pain
• You have a fever of more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit

When To See A Doctor About Abdominal Pain

Go straight to your doctor or the emergency department of the nearest hospital if you have any of:

• severe pain
• pain lasting for several hours
• pain and/or vaginal bleeding if you are pregnant
• pain in your scrotum if you are a male
• pain and vomiting or shortness of breath
• pain and vomiting blood
• blood in your bowel motions or urine
• pain that spreads to your chest, neck or shoulder
• fever and sweats
• unable to move your bowels or pass gas
• any other concerns.

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How To Cure Cat Stomach Upset

Detecting whats behind your cats vomiting is crucial, and that means a trip to the vet. A cat who throws up multiple times in a day or who has not eaten in 48 hours needs to see a vet immediately.

Dr. Arguelles says, Veterinarians have anti-nausea medication that can be given as an injection or as an oral tablet as well as medications to help with diarrhea and poor appetite. A temporary switch to a bland diet may be recommended until the cats symptoms subside.

In some cases, a veterinarian will recommend heartworm medicine for cats or a prescription dewormer for cats. A cat that is vomiting more than once per month should be examined by a veterinarian, who will dewormor recommend your cat be on monthly prevention with Revolution, Advantage Multi or Heartgard, says Dr. Arguelles. Many heartworm medicines for cats also kill some of the intestinal parasites that can cause cat stomach upset.

She says a vet may also recommend abdominal radiographs to check for an obstruction, foreign body or other problem, or lab work to seek underlying metabolic causes of vomiting, such as kidney disease and hyperthyroidism.

Dr. Rondeau says if your cat has just started vomiting or is suddenly lethargic, wont eat or is hiding, definitely bring him to the vet. But we also see a lot of cats with chronic vomiting In those cases, maybe they arent lethargic, but the owners notice some vomiting and see the cat has lost weight for those, it is definitely time to check with the vet.

What To Do About Fluids When You Have Diarrhea

Do drink plenty of fluid. A good rule of thumb is to drink at least one cup of liquid every time you have a loose bowel movement. Water, fruit juices, caffeine-free soda, and salty broths are some good choices. According to the Cleveland Clinic, salt helps slow down the fluid loss, and sugar will help your body absorb the salt.

Dont consume beverages at extreme temperatures. Consume all liquids at room temperature, or slightly warmed, advises Dr. Ganjhu. Anything too hot or too cold can cause nausea.

Do drink a tea with chamomile. There is some research to suggest that products containing certain combinations of herbs, including chamomile, may help an upset stomach. A study published in the journal Molecular Medicine Reports cited the potential favorable effects of drinking a chamomile preparation that is combined with other herbs, in treating diarrhea.

Dont consume caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol can irritate the digestive tract and worsen diarrhea, according to the U.S. Library of Medicine.

Dillute your water with fruit juice. Ganjhu recommends diluting your water with fruit juices, like cranberry or apple juice, to make the H2O, which can sometimes be nauseating when you have diarrhea, easier to tolerate.

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For Nausea And Vomiting

Last nights Chinese take-out leftovers seem like a great meal ideauntil your stomach clearly begins to disagree with you. Nausea and vomiting are one of your bodys major defenses against food poisoning, and can also arise from problems like motion sickness and overeating. While the best way to cure an upset stomach from most cases of food poisoning is to let your body rid itself of the bacteria causing your discomfort, over-the-counter antiemetics can come in handy when dealing with nausea and vomiting symptoms caused by motion sickness and certain other conditions. There are two main types of OTC medications used to treat nausea and vomiting:

• Bismuth subsalicylate, the active ingredient in OTC medications like Kaopectate® and Pepto-Bismol, protects your stomach lining. Bismuth subsalicylate is also used to treat ulcers, upset stomach and diarrhea.
• Other medicines include cyclizine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, and meclizine. These can be found in medicines such as Dramamine, Bonine, or others, and they dull motion sickness by acting on your brain. They block messages from reaching the part of the brain that controls nausea and vomiting

Ways How To Use Baking Soda For Upset Stomach And Diarrhea

There are several ways for you to use baking soda for upset stomach. You can use it alone or mix it with some different ingredients. Lets consult these following recipes.

1. Baking Soda

This may be the easiest method on how to use baking soda for upset stomach. What you really need to do is taking from a half teaspoon to one teaspoon of baking soda. Then you dilute it with a half glass of water. Finally, you drink this solution after you stir it well. You need to remember to consume this solution two or three times a day daily until your condition becomes better. However, if you want to use baking soda for upset stomach in your children, you should allow them to consume no more than 5 teaspoons a day daily.

2. Warm Water & Baking Soda

When talking about the way on how to use baking soda for upset stomach, using the combination of baking soda and warm water is a good idea for you because your stomach can be soothed after you use it. Here are the steps that you need to follow.

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What Causes An Upset Stomach

Many different things can cause pain or discomfort in the stomach. Some causes are more severe than others, and the treatment for stomach pain varies accordingly. Gas or bloating after a meal can be managed at home. However, drinking contaminated water while traveling requires care from a medical professional. Chronic health problems that cause stomach pain must be managed long term with the help of a healthcare professional.

Common causes of stomach pain include

• greasy or fatty foods
• bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli.
• chronic conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohns disease

Is It The Ginger Or The Ale That Helps With A Stomachache

Ginger, a member of the plant family that includes turmeric and cardamom, has been proven to be effective at treating nausea and vomiting two hallmarks of a classic upset stomach. In fact, ginger is even used to treat morning sickness, muscle pain and menstrual pain.

But, the plant’s root, which is dried and ground to make ginger spice, doesn’t look nearly as appetizing as a cold bottle of ginger ale. So, when you’re suffering from stomach problems, why not just reach for the ale instead of the root?

Dr. Vaidya explains that many ginger ales on the market today don’t contain ginger as an ingredient : “If you look carefully at the label, the ginger in ginger ale may only be artificial flavoring. Or, if the beverage does have real ginger, there’s a good chance it doesn’t contain enough to relieve your upset stomach.”

And, though there may not be much ginger in ginger ale, there’s plenty of another ingredient: sugar. “When treating an upset stomach especially when suffering from symptoms like gas, indigestion and bloating carbonated, sugary beverages can often make you feel worse, not better,” says Dr. Vaidya.

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What Should I Take For Upset Stomach And Diarrhea

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What Is The Difference Between Nausea And Vomiting

Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that often accompanies the urge to vomit, but doesn’t always lead to vomiting. Vomiting is the forcible voluntary or involuntary emptying of stomach contents through the mouth. Some triggers that may result in vomiting can come from the stomach and intestines , the inner ear , and the brain .

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When Should A Doctor Be Consulted

The timing of the nausea or vomiting can indicate the cause. When it appears shortly after a meal, nausea or vomiting may indicate a mental disorder or a peptic ulcer. Nausea or vomiting one to eight hours after a meal may indicate food poisoning. Foodborne diseases, such as Salmonella, may take longer to produce symptoms because of the incubation time.

A person who is experiencing nausea should consult a physician if it lasts more than one week, and if there is a possibility of pregnancy. Vomiting usually lessens within six to 24 hours, and may be treated at home.

You should see your doctor if home treatment is not working, dehydration is present, or a known injury is causing the vomiting.

Take your infant or a child under 6 years old to the doctor if:

• Vomiting lasts more than a few hours
• Diarrhea is also present
• There is a fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• The child hasn’t urinated for six hours

Take your child over 6 years old to the doctor if:

• Vomiting lasts one day
• Diarrhea combined with vomiting lasts for more than 24 hours
• There are signs of dehydration
• There is a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• The child hasn’t urinated for six hours

Adults should consult a doctor if vomiting occurs for more than one day, if diarrhea and vomiting last more than 24 hours, and if there are signs of moderate dehydration.

You should see a doctor immediately if the following signs or symptoms occur:

• Blood in the vomit
• Severe headache or stiff neck
• Lethargy

Treatments For An Upset Stomach

Drink plenty of liquids, but do so in small amounts water is a good choice. Sports drinks and coconut water help replenish electrolytes, which can help if you experience vomiting. Try clear, carbonated, and caffeine-free beverages such as tonic water, club soda, or ginger ale. Teas containing peppermint, chamomile, or ginger may help settle an upset stomach.

Eat bland foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and white bread. Soup, broth, or bullion are good options if you do not have an appetite, or if you have trouble keeping solid food down. Avoid dairy and whole grains, as well as rich, spicy, greasy, and fatty foods.

Other things that can help treat an upset stomach:

• Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and caffeinated beverages.
• Over-the-counter antacids can help relieve an upset stomach.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing, especially pants.
• Sit upright and avoid lying down or bending over at the waist.

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Causes Of An Upset Stomach

If your stomach is bothering you, it is most likely due to irritation or inflammation of your stomach lining. There are several different reasons why the lining could get irritated or inflamed.

One of the reasons could be from eating or drinking too much. Sometimes its as simple as that you had too much food during you most recent meal. Instead of having two slices of pizza you ate seven.

Drinking too much of anything can also cause an upset stomach. That includes alcohol, soda, juice, sports drinks, and even water. Although you should drink plenty of water throughout the day, if you drink too much of it too fast it can cause your belly to hurt.

Food allergies are another cause of your problem. If you are unsure about foods you may be allergic to, you can consult with your doctor and get some tests run. Common food allergies include gluten, dairy, fish, or nuts. If certain foods bother your stomach every time you eat them, its best to avoid those and find out if you are allergic.

Its also possible to get sick from food that you are not allergic to. Food poising occurs when bacteria, viruses, or parasites are in the food youre eating. That can happen if your meal is not properly prepared. For example, undercooked meat or chicken can lead to food poisoning.

Indigestion is another common cause of stomach pain. It happens when your body cannot properly process the food you ate. Poor diet choices and dehydration can cause indigestion.

Is Stomach Flu Contagious

Yes! Usually a virus causes the stomach flu. Symptoms appear one to three days after exposure, so you are contagious before you begin to develop symptoms.

And even after youve recovered from your symptoms, you can remain contagious for up to two weeks. Children can remain contagious for an even longer period afterward.

To decrease the risk of passing it onto others, do not go to work or school with symptoms. If you have a fever, wait until its gone for 24 hours before returning to your routine.

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Pectin Supplements Can Prevent Diarrhea And Dysbiosis

When a stomach bug or foodborne illness causes diarrhea, pectin supplements can help speed up recovery.

Pectin is a type of plant fiber found in high quantities in apples and citrus fruits. Its often isolated from these fruits and sold as its own food product or supplement .

Pectin is not digested by humans, so it stays within the intestinal tract where its very effective at firming stools and preventing diarrhea .

In fact, one study found that 82% of sick children taking daily pectin supplements recovered from their diarrhea within 4 days, compared to only 23% of children not taking pectin supplements .

Pectin also relieves stomach upset by promoting the growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract.

Sometimes, people develop uncomfortable symptoms of gas, bloating or abdominal pain due to an imbalance of bacteria in their intestines.

This can happen for a variety of reasons, but is especially common after gut infections, after taking antibiotics or during periods of high stress (

49 ).

While pectin supplements are effective at relieving diarrhea and promoting a healthy balance of gut bacteria, its unknown whether natural foods rich in pectin would have the same benefits. More research is needed.

Summary Pectin, a type of plant fiber found in apples and citrus fruits, may help shorten the duration of diarrhea and promote healthy gut bacteria when taken as a supplement.

What Not To Eat

Generally, avoid dairy, fibrous foods, and anything fatty or spicy.

• Dairy: Not everyone has a problem with milk when they have the stomach flu, but it could be hard to digest and can aggravate gas and diarrhea.
• Fiber: You dont need the extra fiber if your bowels are loose.
• Grease: Avoid greasy and salty foods like bacon.
• Spices: Stay away from tomato-based dishes, curries, and chili sauces.

Acupressure has been shown to be effective in treating some types of nausea. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center suggests finding pressure point P-6 by measuring the width of three fingers down from the bottom of your palm.

Press below that width with your thumb and youll feel a sensitive spot between two tendons. Gently massage with your thumb for two or three minutes.

Sea-Bands are a product worn on the wrists. These can be useful in treating nausea if the P-6 acupressure point gives you relief.

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What You Should Eat

• Semi-solid Foods

  If your body is rejecting solid foods, dont force yourself to eat. Instead, consume semi-solid foods such as soup or coconut water. Your body should be able to keep them down and they will help replenish essential minerals like potassium, calcium, and sodium that your body can lose when you have irregular bowel movements.

• White Rice

  Foods that are bland and easy to digest are good to eat when you are fighting an upset stomach. Plain white rice is your best bet. Avoid eating brown rice as it can be hard for your stomach to digest. White rice, being a refined carbohydrate, is also low in fibre and will help stop the common symptoms of diarrhoea.

• Toast

  Toast made from white flour or maida is another example of a bland, low fibre food that can help neutralise excess stomach acid and stop diarrhoea. Avoid eating toast made from fibre-rich whole grains such as wheat as they can make diarrhoea related symptoms worse.

• Bananas

  Bananas are easy to digest and are known to ease stomach pain. They have a natural antacid effect and can relieve symptoms such as indigestion. This high potassium fruit also increases mucus production in the stomach which helps prevent the irritation of the stomach lining.