Stomach pain is usually a temporary ailment, manifesting itself through harmless symptoms, such as cramps, indigestion, or nausea. Despite its harmless nature, however, it can be annoying to the point of being able to distract us from what we are doing or prevent us from carrying out normal daily activities. Fortunately, there are many remedies to ease abdominal pain, including doing simple physical exercises, consuming drinks or foods that are beneficial, or making real changes to your diet. If none of these methods seem to work for you, it is best to consider something more serious, such as a bout of appendicitis. In the case of acute or prolonged pain, it is always essential to consult a doctor promptly.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Use Quick and Simple Remedies
Step 1. Go to the toilet
Often nausea or abdominal pain simply indicates that the body needs to pass stool. Before trying anything else, take a few minutes in the bathroom. The ideal is to assume a position that can encourage bowel movement in a relaxed and natural way: tilt your torso forward and bring your knees closer to your chest.
- Do not try to force the expulsion of stool by pushing excessively. Excessive effort can cause serious complications, such as hemorrhoids.
- If you notice blood in the rectum or stool, seek immediate medical attention. These two forms of digestive haemorrhages are called "hematochezia" and "haematemesis" respectively.
Step 2. Apply a warm compress to your stomach
Warming up the abdominal area can help relax the muscles by reducing the feeling of tension and cramps. You can use a simple bottle filled with hot water, a tablet to warm in the microwave, or an electric blanket; in any case, keep it resting on your stomach for a few minutes.
If you don't have any of these items on hand, pour uncooked rice into a clean pillowcase or sock, then heat them in the microwave for a couple of minutes
Step 3. Stand up and lean forward until your toes touch
Often, releasing some of the gases trapped in the stomach or intestines helps relieve the symptoms of indigestion. You can help expel gas by flexing your torso forward to touch your toes or by doing other similar exercises.
For example, try lying on your back and lifting your legs towards the ceiling, or bring your knees closer to your chest and slowly sway from side to side, as if you want to massage your spine. Keeping your feet elevated can help reduce pressure on the abdominal region, expel trapped gases in the intestines, and relieve discomfort
Step 4. Try to throw up
If you are very nauseous, your body may want to tell you that it needs to vomit. This solution may seem like the most unpleasant of all, but it is an effective way of allowing the body to expel the bacteria, viruses or foods that are causing the irritation. If vomiting continues for several days, see your doctor right away as it could be caused by some other medical condition.
- If you feel nauseous but can't vomit, try munching on some crackers or wearing a nausea bracelet to help ease the discomfort.
- Vomiting can cause the body to become rapidly dehydrated, so if you vomit more than once, it is advisable to drink an isotonic drink that contains electrolytes. It will help you replenish the sodium and potassium your body needs to fight the disease.
Step 5. Take a warm bath
Immersing yourself in hot water serves to activate circulation and relax the muscles. The abdominal pain should subside, and you will most likely be able to relieve some of the stress caused by the malaise. Pour a cup or two of Epsom salts into the tub to reduce inflammation and soak in the water for at least 15-20 minutes.
If you don't have a bathtub, you can place a hot water bottle or hot compress on your abdomen to warm your stomach muscles
Step 6. Massage your stomach
Cramps can be caused by tight muscles, so you can try to reduce them by gently massaging your stomach. Apply light pressure to different areas of the abdomen, but also the back. Particularly focus on where you feel pain, but don't overdo it and don't press or rub too hard.
While performing the massage, also focus on the breath: inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Taking slow, deep breaths can help relax your muscles and distract you from pain
Step 7. Take an over-the-counter medication
There are many that allow you to treat common nausea, indigestion or cramps. If taken frequently they can be harmful to health, but with moderate use they are generally considered effective and safe. Strictly follow the dosage instructions on the package insert and ask your pharmacist if he can provide you with further advice or warnings regarding your specific drug.
- For indigestion, look for a drug that contains calcium carbonate or bismuth, two substances that work by lining the inner walls of the stomach and reduce pain and nausea, usually without contraindications and without causing significant side effects.
- If the pain persists even after taking a bismuth drug, you can try taking a mild acetaminophen-based pain reliever, instead avoiding aspirin or anti-inflammatories that contain ibuprofen. In any case, never abuse these medicines, as they can cause liver damage in the long term.
Method 2 of 4: Use Home Remedies
Step 1. Eat some prunes or another high-fiber food
In many cases, stomach pain is due to constipation: the intestine needs to pass stool, but something is preventing it from escaping. You can try to fix this by eating a high-fiber food, such as prunes, bran, or broccoli. Plums are particularly effective because, in addition to a significant amount of fiber, they also contain a natural laxative, sorbitol.
- If constipation persists even after consuming a high-fiber drink or food, try using a mild laxative, such as senna cleansing tea or a water-soluble powder.
- Drinking a cup of coffee can also help stimulate digestive tract muscles and encourage a bowel movement, but be careful not to overdo the amounts. Coffee is a natural diuretic, so if taken in excess it can cause dehydration and aggravate constipation.
- Plum juice is known for its ability to stimulate the intestines to pass stool. Drink a small glass in the morning and another in the afternoon to relieve constipation.
Step 2. Drink chamomile, ginger, or peppermint tea
Studies have shown that these three herbs are capable of relieving general nausea and abdominal pain. Ginger regulates digestion, while peppermint and chamomile are particularly effective in relaxing tight muscles.
Alternatively, you can chew some mint leaves (after blanching them) or drink some ginger flavored water: to prepare it, all you have to do is infuse a few pieces of ginger in boiling water for about ten minutes and then let it cool
Step 3. Try a baking soda and water home remedy
The cornerstone of most antacid medications is baking soda, so instead of going to the pharmacy, you can try making one yourself. Simply dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of hot water, then slowly sip the resulting mixture.
Repeat the process every couple of hours until the indigestion or nausea subsides
Step 4. Drink apple cider vinegar
Unlike wine cider vinegar, apple cider vinegar is helpful in relieving nausea because it absorbs unwanted nutrients from the stomach. Add 2-3 tablespoons to a glass of warm water. If you can not be put off by the taste, you can sip a glass every couple of hours until the nausea subsides.
Use organic, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, and make sure the label clearly states that it contains "the mother" of the vinegar; only in this case the enzymes and bacteria that are particularly useful for the health of the intestine will surely be intact
Step 5. Sip aloe vera juice
It is known for its ability to relieve pain caused by abdominal cramps and is also beneficial in cases of constipation or indigestion. Thanks to the fact that its popularity is increasing, nowadays you can easily find it in health food stores, pharmacies, drugstores, online and even in large supermarkets.
Method 3 of 4: Treating Chronic Indigestion or Stomach Acidity
Step 1. Learn to pay attention at the table
If you often suffer from indigestion or stomach acid, you should try to eliminate the cause of the disorder rather than simply suppressing the symptoms. First, start by monitoring what you eat, what you drink and what your behaviors are at the table. Seemingly trivial habits, such as eating very quickly, over-eating, or over-serving, can greatly aggravate the problem of indigestion.
- Whenever you find yourself having a bad behavior, make an effort to correct it. For example, you might get into the good habit of eating lots of small meals evenly distributed throughout the day, chewing slowly to allow your stomach more time to digest, or reducing portions to ease its workload.
- Stomach problems after meals are generally referred to as "indigestion" or "dyspepsia".
Step 2. Drink between meals
Waiting about an hour after eating can help relieve indigestion. While it may seem unreasonable, drinking during meals runs the risk of diluting the digestive acids present in the stomach making them less effective.
In any case, it is better to drink water or milk rather than carbonated drinks, coffee or alcohol, as these can damage the internal walls of the stomach and aggravate the symptoms of the malaise
Step 3. Avoid fatty or heavily spiced foods
Many times indigestion is caused by ingesting food that is too difficult to digest, which causes increased pain and acid production. One of the easiest ways to keep stomach pain at bay is to find out which foods trigger indigestion symptoms to eliminate them from your diet.
Try to choose light foods and drinks, such as soups, plain rice, toast, or crackers. They are easy to digest foods that do not unnecessarily stress the digestive system
Step 4. Wear comfortable clothing that does not tighten around the abdomen
It might seem like a trivial piece of advice, but the way you dress can have a major impact on indigestion and acid reflux. Pants or skirts that tighten around the waist push in the abdomen, then squeeze the lower esophageal sphincter, preventing regular digestion and causing stomach acids to rise back into the esophagus.
Don't worry, you don't have to throw away your favorite pair of skinny pants. Just remember to wear something comfortable before kicking off a big meal
Step 5. Improve digestion with supplements
Digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid supplements and gastro-resistant capsules of peppermint oil are three very effective products for countering indigestion. For example, daily use of gastro-resistant capsules containing peppermint oil has been shown to reduce or cure indigestion in 75% of cases.
- Indigestion is often considered to be the cause of excess stomach acid, but in reality it can also result from a lack of acidity. Talk to your doctor if you think a lack of acid may be causing your problem - they may recommend that you take a hydrochloric acid supplement.
- Whichever supplement you use, strictly adhere to the dosage indicated on the package and contact your doctor immediately in case of side effects.
Step 6. Use probiotics
They are good bacteria that occur naturally in the stomach and promote digestion. Studies have shown that taking probiotics can help relieve various chronic digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and infectious diarrhea. Eating foods enriched with these bacteria every day, such as yogurt and other dairy products, increases the level in the stomach. When purchasing products that contain probiotics, read the label to make sure they are live microorganisms.
If you have a hard time digesting dairy, you can take probiotics in the form of capsules or freeze-dried powders. Get advice from your doctor or pharmacist
Step 7. Drink artichoke leaf extract three times a day
The artichoke is able to promote an increase in the production and flow of bile to the stomach, so it causes food to move more quickly along the digestive tract. Recent studies have confirmed that artichoke leaf extract can significantly relieve symptoms of indigestion, such as flatulence or the feeling of premature fullness.
Ask your doctor for advice on artichoke leaf extract. You can easily buy it in capsule form in herbalist's shops, drugstores, parapharmacies or even online
Step 8. Monitor your consumption of nitrates and anti-inflammatory drugs
Many of the commonly used medications can cause indigestion and stomach acid, so see if the ones you use on a regular basis are likely to aggravate the problem. Remember that stopping a drug without first asking your doctor for advice could be very dangerous, so check with your doctor to find out if you can do without it or replace it with a different one.
Nitrates are often prescribed to those suffering from heart disease because they are able to widen the arteries, veins and capillaries through which blood flows. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen-based drugs, are frequently used to reduce fever or relieve pain
Step 9. After eating, give yourself some rest
You should wait before engaging in any kind of physical activity so that your body has time to digest. When you exercise shortly after eating, you force your body to stop digestion to supply blood and energy to the lungs and muscles involved. This disruption delays digestion and can be the cause of stomach pain. After meals, sit with your back straight or lie down for up to an hour.
If you have just eaten a large meal of very fatty foods, it may be better to wait 2-3 hours before engaging in strenuous physical activity
Step 10. See your doctor for a prescription for stomach pain medication
There are several that can help you treat indigestion, but many can cause unwanted side effects if they are used for a long period of time. If your stomach pain persists even after you've changed your diet or started taking supplements, ask your doctor for help to see if there are any medications that can help you fix the problem.
Your doctor may advise you to take a drug that belongs to the category of proton pump inhibitors or H2 receptor antagonists. These types of drugs work by reducing the production of acid in the stomach or the amount of acid that already exists
Method 4 of 4: Preventing Stomach Pain from Recurring in the Future
Step 1. Relieve stress through stretching and meditation
The chances of suffering from stomach upset, including nausea and indigestion, increase in proportion to the level of stress. Try stretching or meditating to relieve physical and mental tension and reduce the chances of stomach pain coming back in the future.
Some recent studies suggest that doing simple deep breathing exercises to relax can help relieve mild heartburn. Unlike most preventative drug treatments, taking deep breaths isn't likely to cause unwanted side effects, so there's no reason not to give it a try
Step 2. Exercise regularly
Exercising constantly allows you to keep your metabolism active and also prevents constipation. In the long run, maintaining a regular exercise routine can even help strengthen the digestive tract, making it more efficient and regular in clearing the body of toxins and feces.
If you do long-distance running, you may experience episodes of diarrhea due to the numerous jolts received from the intestines and the reduced blood flow to the digestive tract. You can mitigate these unwanted side effects by avoiding caffeinated drinks and sweeteners before your run
Step 3. Keep a food diary
Taking note of everything you eat daily can help you identify which foods are causing stomach pain, giving you the option to avoid them in the future. It is not necessary to keep a diary forever, but try to fill it in as much detail as possible for at least a week. Report everything you eat, including the quantities, and indicate whenever you have ailments by describing them as accurately as possible.
For example, don't just write: "Pizza. Stomach pain after a meal."It's better to be more specific: "Two slices of pepperoni pizza. Half an hour later I started suffering from heartburn and the ailment lasted for about an hour."
Step 4. Monitor your body weight
Studies have shown that even a slight excess weight can increase the chances of suffering from stomach acid. The reasons for this correlation are not yet known, but doctors say the cause may be due to abdominal fat pressing against the stomach. This additional pressure causes acids to rise back into the esophagus, resulting in heartburn.
If you need to lose a few extra pounds, commit to regular aerobic exercise, cook healthier meals, drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated, and also train muscle strength and endurance
Step 5. Drink over two liters of water a day
Your body needs a lot of water to be able to digest efficiently and ensure regular bowel movements. When you are dehydrated, the intestine cannot excrete the waste it accumulates inside, so you run the risk of suffering from constipation, polyps and / or hemorrhoids and that evacuation is painful.
The water must be at room temperature. Drinking cold water would risk traumatizing the digestive system, slow digestion and cause an annoying (albeit mild) stomach ache
Step 6. Give your body the right amount of rest
If you have contracted an intestinal virus, your body needs to rest and conserve energy to fight the disease. If you have gastric reflux, sleep deprivation can aggravate the problem by increasing the amount of time the esophagus is exposed to acid.
If stomach pain keeps you awake at night, ask your doctor to prescribe a medicine or homeopathic remedy to help promote sleep
Advice
If possible, place your feet on a riser and squat down on the toilet to make it easier to pass stool
Warnings
- Many people suffer from stomach pain when they visit a foreign country. You can try to prevent this by drinking only bottled water (also use it to brush your teeth) and avoiding the ice in drinks. It is also best not to eat raw foods that have been touched with your hands during preparation, such as peeled fruit or salad.
- Call the emergency health service immediately if stomach pain is associated with a recent injury or is accompanied by pain or a twinge in the chest.
- Make sure the fish or meat is fully cooked before eating them. When they do not reach a high enough temperature internally, the harmful microorganisms present remain alive. Eating partially raw meat or fish can cause severe food poisoning.
- If your stomach ache is severe enough to prevent you from standing or if you have to curl up on yourself to get some relief, get rushed to the emergency room. Other symptoms that indicate it is better to go to the hospital include a swollen or tender stomach, yellow skin, blood in the vomit or stool, or nausea and vomiting that has persisted for several days.
