How can you cure stomach aches

Skip the sugary commercial ginger ales, which contain little real ginger, and sip water infused with ginger or turmeric instead, he advises. Joseph Murray, a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic. But Gatorade and other sports drinks may not contain enough salt to replenish your depleted stores.

Eating only these four foods may be too restrictive and could lead to malnourishment , especially among kids. But foods like these are good choices, because the harder your inflamed stomach has to work to digest something, the more likely it is to act up, Murray says.

Foods that are easy for the body to break down—simple, minimally seasoned carbohydrates like saltine crackers, as opposed to hardier fare like whole grains and leafy greens—are less likely to trigger stabs of pain or a dash to the toilet.

There are plenty of foods you should avoid. Pass on dairy foods, because an upset stomach is likely to have problems digesting and absorbing lactose, Murray explains.

Also, skip high-fat foods like nuts, oils and avocado , spicy dishes, alcohol and coffee, which may all aggravate a recovering stomach, says Dr.

Joel Mason, a gastroenterologist and professor of medicine and nutrition at Tufts University. Be guided by your doctor, but there are some things you can do to help ease the pain, including:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.

During fetal development, the diaphragm or abdominal wall may fail to properly fuse, allowing the abdominal organs to protrude.

Children may feel stomach pain for a range of reasons and may need treatment. Adhesions may have no signs or symptoms, or they may cause pain by pulling on nerves.

Severe allergic reactions anaphylaxis and asthma attacks need urgent emergency first aid. In an emergency, always call triple zero Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.

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The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Digestive system. Home Digestive system. Abdominal pain in adults. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. While this can totally strike at your neighborhood sushi joint, it's also super-common while traveling overseas.

That's because your body has to adjust to the new bacteria in the food and water you're consuming while away from home. Unfortunately, the cure is just waiting it out. Gas is caused by two things: eating gas-forming foods such as green vegetables , fruits with peels on them, carbonated beverages, cabbage, and beans; or by swallowing air, says Michael Wolfe, MD, chief of gastroenterology at Boston University's School of Medicine.

Wolfe says. If you have a gas problem that you think is causing your stomach pain, take an over-the-counter anti-gas drug like Mylanta Gas. Beano, Dr. Wolfe says, is another good product, especially if veggies aren't friendly to your system—it works by breaking down raffinose, a sugar byproduct in plants that can be a bugger for many people to digest.

If diarrhea strikes at an inconvenient time, or if it's so frequent that it keeps you from sleeping, Dr. Bhan recommends knocking back some Pepto-Bismol. The pink liquid will attack the diarrhea-causing bacteria in your system so you can sleep and function during the day. You can also take imodium, which works by slowing down the speed at which fluids move through your intestines. Sure, you expect cramps around the time of your period, but nausea, upset stomach , and diarrhea? Not cool.

Nancy Cossler, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist at University Hospital's Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, says it's pretty normal for your whole abdominal region to go haywire around the time you're menstruating. To ease cramps, take an ibuprofen 12 to 24 hours before you're expecting your period, Dr. Cossler says. Then take the prescribed amount every three to six hours for three days. If you deal with constant stomach issues like bloating, yogurt can help keep your digestive system in tip-top shape.

Though annoying, bloating is not a huge cause for alarm. Metz, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Try to stay away from salt, since it makes you retain water, and avoid foods that cause gas—such as beans, broccoli, and cauliflower. As long as you've ruled out lactose intolerance, try eating yogurt with "live and active cultures" look for this phrase on the label , which can help regulate your digestive system.

Sometimes stomach aches can cause other pains, like heartburn, an irritation of the esophagus that feels like a burning or tightness from stomach contents that are forced back up into the esophagus.

At at-home remedy: milk. Eating spicy foods before bed is a common culprit of acid reflux, as is eating too much or too fast, smoking, and imbibing heavily. But sometimes nearly anything can make you feel the burn and deal with a stomach ache. Acid travels from the stomach to the esophagus and throat, often causing heartburn, or a sore throat and bouts of coughing. Nguyen recommends a prescription medicine or an over-the-counter antacid like Prilosec.

But if you don't want to rely on drugs, cut back on the known provocateurs. A simple cure may be waiting for you in your spice rack: Ginger root has a long history of being used successfully as a cure for an upset stomach. The reason ginger works so well for digestion has never been precisely identified, but some say it speeds up the pace at which food moves into the small intestine from the stomach.

Licorice root contains substances that may help to reduce gastritis, or inflammation of the stomach lining, as well as inflammation relating to peptic ulcers. Someone with an upset stomach could try drinking licorice root tea several times a day until their symptoms improve. Licorice root teas are widely available online , but it is also possible to make them at home by mixing 1 or 2 tsps of licorice root powder with boiling water.

Most people find that the easiest way to consume spearmint is to drink prepared herbal teas in which spearmint is the primary ingredient.

There are many such teas available online. It is usually safe to drink spearmint teas several times daily until symptoms improve.

Sucking on spearmint candies may also help to reduce heartburn. Someone who is vomiting or has diarrhea could try slowly eating half a cup of plain, well-cooked rice. It is best to wait until at least a few hours after the last episode of vomiting. The person may continue to do this for 24—48 hours until diarrhea stops.

Coconut water contains high levels of potassium and magnesium. These nutrients help to reduce pain, muscle spasms, and cramps. Coconut water is also useful for rehydrating and is a better option than most sports drinks as it is also low in calories , sugar, and acidity. Slowly sipping on up to 2 glasses of coconut water every 4—6 hours could ease upset stomach symptoms.

Bananas contain vitamin B6, potassium, and folate. These nutrients can help to ease cramps, pains, and muscle spasms. Bananas can also help by adding bulk to loose stools, which can alleviate diarrhea. An upset stomach and indigestion should not usually cause concern. For most people, symptoms should go away within a few hours. As older adults and children can become dehydrated much more quickly, they should seek medical attention for vomiting and diarrhea that lasts for more than a day.

People with severe, frequent, or persistent stomach problems should talk to a doctor. It is also best to seek medical attention if the following symptoms are present:. Read this article in Spanish. About 1 in every ten people in Western countries will develop a stomach ulcer at some point.

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