Stomach pains are usually symptoms of temporary and generally harmless conditions such as colic, indigestion, and nausea. Despite their innocuous nature, they can become highly uncomfortable and prevent you from performing some of your favorite activities. Luckily, there are a number of homemade techniques for getting rid of abdominal pain, including basic exercises, homemade tonics, and dietary changes. If none of the techniques work, you may have a more serious problem, such as appendicitis. Talk to a health care provider if you experience prolonged, severe pain.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Experimenting with Quick and Simple Solutions
Step 1. Go to the bathroom
Generally, generalized abdominal pain and nausea are caused by a simple need to go to the bathroom. First of all, sit on the toilet for a few minutes, leaning forward with your knees toward your chest. Such a position encourages evacuation without unnecessary effort.
Do not try to force the evacuation with force. Pressure and strain can cause serious complications like hemorrhoids
Step 2. Apply a warm compress to your belly
Warming up the abdominal region can help to relax the muscle and relieve cramps. Use a plastic bottle of hot water, a microwave swab, or an electrically heated blanket to warm your tummy for a few minutes.
If you don't have any of the above, fill a clean sock with rice and heat it in the microwave for a minute
Step 3. Stand up and touch your toes
Indigestion can usually be relieved by releasing accumulated gas in the stomach and intestines. Help release by touching your toes and doing other stretches.
Another option is to lie on your back and lift your legs or bring your knees to your chest. Hold the position and gently rock your body. Elevating your feet will reduce abdominal pressure, releasing gas and alleviating discomfort
Step 4. Vomit
If you are very sick, it could be your body telling you that you need to vomit. As extreme as this unpleasant action may seem, it is the way the human body finds to expel bacteria, viruses or foods that are causing irritation. Obviously, if you continue to vomit for a long time, see a doctor.
- If you're sick but you can't throw up, eat some crackers or wear a magnetic anti-sickness bracelet.
- Vomiting can cause dehydration, so drink sports drinks to supplement your body's electrolytes. You will replenish the body's sodium and potassium, substances needed to fight disease.
Step 5. Take a hot bath to relax your muscles and promote circulation
Warm water helps relieve abdominal pain and relaxes the body's stress. If you can take a bath, spend 15 to 20 minutes in water with some Epsom salts to reduce inflammation.
In the absence of a bathtub, fill a bottle with hot water and place it on your stomach
Step 6. Massage your belly
Stomach cramps can also be caused by muscle constriction. Alleviate the problem by applying gentle pressure to various points on the belly and back. Focus on the most painful places, but be careful not to apply too much force.
During the massage, concentrate on breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Deep breathing will help to relax your muscles more and distract you from the pain
Step 7. Take an over-the-counter medication
There are many remedies to treat nausea, indigestion and colic. It is not ideal to rely on them on a daily basis, but moderate use is safe and effective. Follow the package insert instructions carefully and talk to a pharmacist for advice and recommendations on the specific medicine you are considering buying.
- For indigestion, look for medications that contain bismuth or calcium carbonate, as they line the stomach and reduce nausea without side effects or contraindications.
- If pain persists even after using indigestion medications, try a medication with a low dose of acetaminophen. Don't overdo it, as these medications can cause liver damage over time.
Method 2 of 4: Taking Home Remedies
Step 1. Eat prunes and other high fiber foods
Constipation is a very common cause of stomach pain as the body needs to evacuate but cannot. Relieve constipation by eating high fiber foods like prunes, oat bran and broccoli. Plums are especially useful as they also contain a kind of natural laxative.
- If constipation persists even after consuming high-fiber foods, try a mild laxative or senna tea.
- A cup of coffee can also stimulate the muscles in the digestive tract and promote bowel movement. Don't drink coffee all day, however, as it is a diuretic and, in excess, can make constipation worse.
Step 2. Have a ginger, chamomile or mint tea
Several studies show that these herbs help relieve nausea and abdominal discomfort. Ginger regulates digestion, while peppermint and chamomile help fight muscle cramps.
If you prefer, chew a mint leaf or drink some ginger water instead of tea. To make a ginger water, place a few pieces of ginger in the hot water and let it soak for a few minutes. Strain and drink
Step 3. Drink a mixture of water and baking soda
Most antacids contain baking soda as a main ingredient, so the next time you have heartburn, make your own home remedy. Dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of warm water and drink slowly.
Repeat the process after a few hours until indigestion or nausea is controlled
Step 4. Take apple cider vinegar
Unlike ordinary white vinegar, apple cider vinegar relieves nausea by absorbing unwanted nutrients from your stomach. Mix two tablespoons of it with warm water. If it doesn't taste too bad for you, have a few glasses over the course of the day.
Buy an organic, unpasteurized vinegar whose packaging makes it clear that it contains "the mother." It is a combination of enzymes and bacteria that are useful for intestinal health
Step 5. Drink aloe vera juice
The drink helps relieve the pain of morning cramps and also reduces constipation and indigestion. In the past, tea could only be found in specialty stores, but today it can be found in more places.
Method 3 of 4: Treating Chronic Indigestion and Heartburn
Step 1. Keep an eye on what you eat
If you experience indigestion or heartburn frequently, focus on treating the cause of the problem, not the symptoms. Start by monitoring your eating habits. Small things like eating too fast, eating large spoonfuls, or overeating can make the problem worse.
As soon as you notice bad habits, correct them. Eat more slowly and reduce portion sizes to allow your stomach more time to digest and not become overwhelmed
Step 2. Drink after meals
Wait at least an hour after eating to drink anything that will relieve indigestion. As counterintuitive as it may seem, drinking water with meals can dilute digestive acids in the stomach.
Prefer to drink water or milk instead of soda, coffee and alcohol, as such drinks can damage the stomach lining and promote discomfort
Step 3. Avoid oily and spicy foods
Indigestion is usually caused by consuming foods that are difficult to digest, which aggravate pain and increase acid production. One of the simplest ways to control indigestion, therefore, is to find out which foods trigger its symptoms and eliminate them from your diet.
Replace such foods with milder options such as porridge, broth, rice, crackers and toast. Such foods are easier to digest and do not stress the digestive system
Step 4. Wear looser clothes around the waist
It may seem harmless enough, but clothing has a huge impact on indigestion and acid reflux. Tight pants can compress the abdomen and put pressure on the esophageal sphincter, impairing digestion and pushing stomach acids into the esophagus.
That doesn't mean you have to throw all those skinny pants in the trash. The tip is to simply wear something more comfortable before a heavy meal
Step 5. Take supplements to promote digestion
There are three types of supplements that are excellent for improving digestion: digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid, and enteric-coated spearmint oil. Taking an enteric-coated peppermint oil capsule a day, for example, can reduce or cure indigestion in up to 75% of people.
- As often as indigestion is caused by too much stomach acid, it can also be caused by too little acid. Talk to your doctor if you believe this is the cause and try a hydrochloric acid supplement if he recommends it.
- No matter which supplement you decide to take, follow the package insert instructions and talk to a doctor if you experience any side effects.
Step 6. Add a probiotic to your food
Probiotics are good bacteria that grow in the stomach and help with digestion. Several studies show that taking probiotics can help relieve certain chronic digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea caused by infections. Taking yogurt and similar products daily can increase levels of probiotics in your body. Remember to check labels to see if the product you are buying contains live cultures.
If you don't like yogurt, buy a probiotic supplement in capsules
Step 7. Take an artichoke leaf extract three times a day
Artichoke leaf increases the production and flow of bile in the stomach, allowing food to move more quickly through the digestive tract. Recent studies prove that taking artichoke extract can significantly reduce digestion symptoms such as feeling full and flatulence.
It can be difficult to find artichoke extract for sale. Look for it in health food stores or on the internet
Step 8. Check the medications you have been taking
Many prescription medications can cause heartburn and indigestion, so check your medicine cabinet to see if you're not taking any nitrates or anti-inflammatory drugs that might contribute to your problem. Obviously, don't immediately stop taking these medications. Talk to the prescribing physician and ask about how you can replace them.
Nitrates are commonly used to treat heart disease because they widen blood vessels. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen are commonly used to relieve common pain
Step 9. Rest after eating
You should take a break before doing any activities after meals so that food is properly digested. When you exercise too soon, your body stops digestion to supply blood and energy to your muscles and lungs. Such interruption impairs digestion and can cause stomach pain. Sit or stand for at least an hour after a meal.
If you've just eaten a heavy, fatty meal, wait two to three hours before exercising
Step 10. See a doctor
There are several over-the-counter medications to treat indigestion, but they often cause unwanted side effects if used for a long time. If indigestion continues even after changes in eating habits and the use of supplements, see if there is a medical option for your problem.
For example, your doctor may choose to treat you with a proton pump inhibitor or an H2 receptor antagonist. Such medications help to reduce the production of acid in the stomach
Method 4 of 4: Preventing Future Problems
Step 1. Control stress through stretching and meditation
Stomach problems, including nausea and indigestion, are more common in people with high levels of stress. To alleviate the situation, slowly stretch and meditate. You will relax your body and reduce your chances of suffering from more stomach problems.
Recent studies suggest that deep breathing can also relieve mild burning. Unlike other preventative medications, breathing exercises have no unwanted side effects, so there's no reason not to try them
Step 2. Exercise regularly
Frequent physical activity speeds up metabolism and helps prevent constipation. Over time, your exercise regimen can strengthen your digestive tract, making it more efficient at clearing your intestines.
If you are running marathons, diarrhea can become more frequent because of the long-term impact and decreased blood flow in the intestines. Control these side effects by avoiding caffeine and sugar substitutes before a run
Step 3. Keep a food diary.
Writing down everything you eat daily can help you identify the foods that cause indigestion and avoid them in the future. You don't have to do this indefinitely; keep the diary for a few weeks, writing down all the foods you eat and the quantities, and recording the days you feel your tummy aches.
Be descriptive! Instead of writing "I ate pizza. I felt a pain in my stomach afterwards," try writing something like "I ate two slices of pepperoni pizza. Half an hour later, I had severe heartburn that lasted an hour."
Step 4. Control the weight
Several studies show that even a little excess weight can increase your chances of getting painful heartburn. Although the relationship between the two things is unknown, doctors speculate that heartburn is caused by excess fat pressing down on the stomach, which causes stomach acids to move up into the esophagus.
To lose those extra pounds, exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, hydrate yourself well, and do resistance training
Step 5. Drink at least two liters of water a day
For digestion and evacuation, the body needs a lot of water. Without sufficient fluid intake, the intestines cannot expel the accumulation of waste, causing constipation and hemorrhoids.
Remember to drink room temperature water. Cold water can shock the body, impairing digestion and causing stomach pain
Step 6. Get plenty of rest
If you have a stomach infection, the body needs to rest to save resources and be able to fight the virus. If you are suffering from acid reflux, lack of sleep will make the situation worse because of the extra time the esophagus is exposed to acid.
If stomach pain is keeping you awake at night, talk to your doctor about natural remedies to promote sleep
Notices
- Many people have stomach problems when traveling abroad. Minimize this risk by drinking mineral water, brushing teeth with mineral water and avoiding potentially contaminated ice. Also, avoid raw foods prepared by hand.
- Call 911 immediately if stomach pain is associated with a recent injury or if you experience chest pain and pressure.
- Always eat fully cooked meat and fish. If you don't heat the meat well inside, you won't kill the harmful organisms that live inside it. Eating raw food can cause food poisoning.
- If you are in such severe pain that you cannot walk or need to curl up all the way to alleviate the pain, have someone take you to an emergency room. Other symptoms that should also be evaluated by professionals: bloated stomach, tender belly, yellowish skin, blood in vomit or stool, or nausea that lasts for several days.