A stomach ache is enough to spoil your plans for the day – whether it is an assignment to complete, a meeting to attend or a casual lunch with your friends. However, the reasons for stomach ache can be plenty. Sometimes it may point to a serious medical condition and other times, it may just be an ache that would heal with time. However, there’s no objective time frame to it and you have to manage it or soothe it when it is unbearable and there’s no waiting time on the table.
This blog will feature some remedies for stomach aches in general, when there’s no serious underlying medical condition triggering them. So, without further ado, let’s get started, shall we?
Peppermint tea
Nothing beats the freshness of peppermint. Here we are giving you one more reason to have it. If you’re struggling with stomach ache, peppermint tea can provide relief. Peppermint comes with active compounds menthol and methyl salicylate, which are known to have antispasmodic effects that offer relief from stomach issues, including stomach aches.
You can take peppermint tea to treat stomach pain. You can also take peppermint oil, but first dilute it in water.
Peppermint is an excellent herb that helps digestive fluids move easily through the digestive tract, for a quicker breakdown of food. This may help with stomach pain associated with constipation.
Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea is known for its calming effect. It is the go-to remedy for people struggling with insomnia. Turns out, it can also help with stomach ache. Chamomile comes with anti-inflammatory properties that may provide relief from stomach aches associated with conditions such as gastritis, gastroenteritis, GERD, and IBS.
Chamomile has certain compounds known as polyphenols which are believed to calm the digestive system and ease symptoms, including stomach pain.
Heating pad
You may have seen women using a heating pad to relieve menstrual cramps. It can help with stomach aches by relaxing the abdominal muscles and loosening them instead of clenching.
In case, you don’t have a heating pad, you can consider taking a hot bath to get similar benefits.
Follow the B.R.A.T. diet
B.R.A.T diet stands for Banana Rice Applesauce Toast. The acronym gives away what the diet includes. As per research, these food items are easier on the stomach. Hence, your stomach would have the rest it needs to heal if the stomach pain is a result of stomach infection or acid reflux. Take this diet till you feel better. You may resort to your former diet later. Sticking to this diet for longer may cause nutrient deficiency.
Lime water/ lemonade
Here are two beverages which you will enjoy. Lime water and lemonade both can help with stomach aches associated with gastric issues. The scent of lime increases saliva production, ultimately increasing the production of digestive juices. This can also help with indigestion and heartburn by helping you burp.
Walking and deep breathing exercises
Walking and deep breathing exercises may be the last things you want to do when you are having a stomach ache. But these activities are worth a little discomfort as they are effective at providing relief. However, the effectiveness depends on the cause of stomach ache.
Both walking and light exercises such as stretching and cycling can help with trapped gas and constipation and are helpful for relieving cramping and gas pain. You can also try exercises that include moves bringing your knees closer to your chest. They help with relieving gas pain and cramping.
As for breathing exercises, they work by expanding the diaphragm. When you breathe into your diaphragm, the muscle rubs against the tract and massages the stomach and intestines, providing relief.
Diaphragmatic breathing also kickstarts the nervous system’s relaxation response, calming the digestive tract.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar offers a plethora of benefits and one of them includes easing stomach pain if it is associated with chronic gastritis. Apple cider vinegar also has probiotics which normalise the bacterial environment in the stomach and provide relief from bloating, acid reflux and of course stomach pain.
However, you must be careful with the consumption. Apple cider vinegar must be diluted with water to prevent acidity and make stomach issues worse. You can also take apple cider vinegar chewing gums that can help with the pain.
Closing thoughts
Stomach aches can be highly inconvenient and painful. While these remedies can help provide relief, you must also do the needful to prevent it from becoming worse. Try to eat smaller meals and avoid having spicy and heavy food. If you experience stomach ache with sweating, vomiting, chest pain or breathing difficulties, seek medical help immediately.
