Home remedies for stomach pain
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.
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:
1) Pancreas
2) Liver
3) Stomach
4) Gallbladder
5) Bowel
6) Appendix
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 include Trusted Source:
pneumonia
myocardial infarction
strangulated hernia
peritonitis
bowel obstruction
appendicitis
pancreatitis
kidney stones
ovarian cysts.
Stomach Pain 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. 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.
2.Use of Ginger:
Ginger may help to reduce Trusted 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.
3.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.
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.
However, this remedy may not be suitable if a person experiences stomach pain during the time they rest or sleep.
4. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol:
Smoking and alcohol may trigger Trusted Source indigestion and other gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastrointestinal reflux disease.
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.
5. 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 relieve heartburn and indigestion by reducing stomach acidity.
Pros and cons
While this home remedy may help with an upset stomach, it may not taste pleasant. Additionally, consuming too much baking soda may lead to Trusted Source:
A) shallow or slow breathing.
B) muscle twitching.
C) muscle spasms.