Read on to learn more about the causes, remedies for stomach ache in this article.Â
11 Common Stomach Pain Reasons
Before getting into stomach pain remedies, you should know about the main causes behind the same as well. This will help you find stomach pain solutions more effectively in the bargain. Here is a list of common causes:
- Eating too fast or overeating
- Smoking
- Consumption of spicy and fast food
- Bowel obstruction
- Anxiety
- Pathological reasons like hyperacidity, gastritis and so on
- Medication related indigestion issues
- Kidney stones
- Appendicitis
- Peritonitis
- Strangulation hernia
6 Stomach Pain Symptoms
The symptoms of stomach pain vary depending on its cause. Listed below are some of the common symptoms that you should note:
- Feeling extra full either during the meal or afterwards
- Feeling bloated
- Burning sensations in the upper abdomen and frequent belching
- Vomiting and Nausea
- Gas and farting
- Foul smelling breath
Top 8 Home Remedies for Stomach Pain Relief
Are you wondering how to cure stomach pain? Here is a list of home remedies for stomach aches and pain that you should check out:Â
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Even though it sounds very simple, drinking water is one of the best home remedies for stomach aches. Our bodies require vital nutrients from water which also flushes out toxins. It also combats dehydration, which often leads to stomach pain and upsets, on account of diarrhoea and vomiting. Water also helps in diluting the acid in the digestive tract, enabling a soothing impact on the stomach.You may have heard doctors and nutritionists recommending to drink about 8 or more glasses of water daily, but this advice is often ignored. However, drinking about 8 glasses of water when you have stomach pain can actually help your body heal quickly.
- Lemon Water:  Lemon water is an effective home remedy for stomach pain that reduces indigestion and discomfort in the abdomen. Small amounts of lemon juice mixed with water produces an alkaline effect when it’s digested, which helps in relieving extra stomach acidity.
- Baking Soda & Lemon Beverage: You can consume this mixture for relieving indigestion and stomach pain. The beverage leads to the production of carbonic acid within the stomach, thereby lowering gas and indigestion greatly. To prepare this drink, take about 200 mL or one glass of water, and add 1 teaspoon baking soda and a few drops of lemon juice to it. You can add ice cubes as well if you feel like or prepare this with cool water. Isn’t this the most effortless and refreshing stomach pain home remedy?
- Mint: Mint leaves have menthol which soothes the stomach and relieves indigestion. It also helps in lowering intestinal muscle spasms while reducing pain simultaneously. You can simply crush some fresh mint leaves and add it to a glass of water and drink it. If you want, you can add flavourings such as honey and/or lemon juice to this drink. Many people also take an over-the-counter medicine made of mint extracts and other things to help with their stomach pain.
- Ginger: Ginger has been used traditionally for tackling stomach pain, vomiting and nausea along with cough and cold. It has shogaols and gingerols which help in accelerating contractions in the stomach and reducing pain considerably. You can drink ginger juice, boil freshly shredded/pounded/chopped ginger in a glass of water and drink it, or add generous amounts of ginger to your meals. Ginger is one of the best stomach pain home remedies.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon comes with rich antioxidants including linalool, camphor, cinnamaldehyde and Eugenol. It helps in better digestion along with combating symptoms such as extra abdominal fullness, nausea and bloating. Were you aware of this home remedy for stomach pain?
- Cumin: If you desire results instantly, Cumin seeds can be one of the best stomach pain home remedies for you. Cumin seeds help in soothing stomach upsets. They help in lowering abdominal pain and hyperacidity. You can drink cumin infused water by boiling a teaspoon of cumin in one glass of water till its reduced to half or soak the same concoction overnight and drink in the morning.
- Bananas: Bananas are one of the best stomach pain and loose motion home remedies. Bananas come with folate, vitamins and potassium, contributing towards lower stomach acids and relief from hyperacidity as well. They also help in bulking up loose stools, thereby tackling diarrhoea. Eating banana when you have an upset stomach or stomach pain can help relieve the symptoms and restore your digestive health.
Epigastric Pain Treatment At Home
Each year, almost a third of the population in India quietly suffers from epigastric pain, which is pain in the upper abdomen, below the rib cage. It can feel like an aching, burning or gnawing stomach pain that starts in the epigastric region but then slowly radiates to the chest or abdomen area. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting and poor appetite.
While persistent epigastric pain requires medical treatment, as a first line of treatment you can try epigastric pain treatment at home to relieve your pain.
Following are some home remedies for epigastric pain :Â
- Antacids: Over the counter antacids like Zantac or Pepcid can reduce pain and heartburn within minutes.
- Chewing Gum: Chewing sugar free gum after meals will stimulate saliva production which will wash away excess acid.
- Baking Soda: Drinking a glass of water mixed with ½ teaspoon of baking soda will neutralize the stomach acid. But use this only as a last resort, as it can cause bloating and nausea.
- Aloe Vera: Drinking aloe vera syrup or juice will soothe and relieve epigastric pain. Try taking 10 mL of aloe vera syrup the morning for a few weeks.
- Ginger: Ginger will help with nausea and vomiting. You can add ginger to your food, drink ginger tea or even try natural ginger ale. Ginger is best for epigastric and stomach pain relief at home
- BRAT Diet: Bananas, rice, applesauce and toast (BRAT) will help with stomach discomfort and diarrhea.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water. This is helpful for digestion and heartburn.
- Don’t Lie Down After Meals: Lying down after meals can turn indestion into heartburn.Â
If symptoms persist or get worse, consult a doctor.
Indian Home Remedies For Stomach Pain For Child
Children can have stomach pain for various reasons. Common causes include indigestion and gas, constipation, gastroenteritis, food poisoning, food intolerance, stress and anxiety, menstrual pain in older girls, and appendicitis, which is a serious condition causing sharp pain in the lower right abdomen.
Here are some Indian home remedies for stomach pain for child:
- Hing (Asafoetida): Mix a pinch of hing with warm mustard oil and massage it around the navel. This can help your child get instant stomach pain relief at home.
- Ginger Water: Boil ginger in water, let it cool. Ginger is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties that helps in reducing nausea and discomfort.
- Mint Infusion: Another effective stomach pain home remedy would be mint. Peppermint tea helps in relaxing stomach muscles and digestion. If your kid doesn’t like tea, you can try giving them a mint candy (if they are old enough to avoid choking hazards).Â
- Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory and sedative properties that helps in reducing abdominal discomfort and relaxing the digestive tract.
- Warm Compress: Apply a warm compress or heating pad on the child’s abdomen. This helps sooth stomach pain and relaxes the muscles.
- Gentle Massage: Gently massage the child’s abdomen in clockwise direction. This helps in relieving gas and digestion.
These remedies work for stomach pain in kids. If the pain persists or worsens, always consult a doctor.
When to consult your doctor If you Have Stomach Pain
You should seek professional/medical assistance if you have stomach pain that does not go away or improve over many days. Some of the other conditions include the following:Â
- Appendicitis:Â This happens due to a swollen or inflamed appendix, leading to pain and aches in the stomach. The appendix will have to be removed through medical treatment and surgeries, necessitating instant medical consultation.
- Bleeding from Stomach Ulcers: Sores in the small intestines or stomach lining may lead to ulcers and eventual bleeding. You may find this condition worsening if it is not treated properly.
- Inflammation of the Gallbladder:Â Inflammation of the gallbladder happens due to gallstones which may lead to cholecystitis or similar conditions in the absence of instant medical supervision. Gallbladder removal may be necessary in such scenarios.Â
- Stones in the Kidneys:Â Stones are usually smaller and can be passed through urine. Yet, bigger ones may lead to tube blockages, leading to severe pain and aches in the stomach.
- Diverticulitis:Â This ailment leads to smaller bowel pockets that are inflamed and uncomfortable. Taking proper medication is always a must in these scenarios.
- Persistent Epigastric Pain :Â Severe and persistent epigastric pain can be a symptom of other serious diseases that require immediate medical attention. For example, pancreatitis Patients usually have epigastric pain radiating to the back, amongst other symptoms.
You can relieve stomach pain by putting hot water bags on the abdomen as per your doctor’s advice, drinking water and fluids, taking a warm bath and lowering the consumption of alcohol, tea and coffee. You should get medical assistance instantly if you have severe pain in the abdomen or pain linked to high fever. You should also consult your doctor if the pain continually changes its location or intensity levels. There are several stomach pain types including a burning sensation in the upper stomach, jabbing sensations, sharper pain, general pain with diarrhea or general pain with bloating to name a few types. You may sometimes get instant relief by using a hot water bottle, heating pad or hot towel over your abdomen and back. This may help in lowering stomach aches and pains swiftly. You can identify stomach pain due to gas by noting symptoms like frequently passing gas, burping, cramping or pain in the abdomen, feeling fuller or experiencing abdominal pressure and also an increase in your abdomen size. Home remedies are the best option for stomach pain relief if you don’t want to consume any medicine. Here are some of the common home remedies recommended for people who have stomach pain: Following are some effective home remedies for stomach pain and loose motion: Stomach Pain And Loose Motion Home Remedies - FAQs
How do you relieve stomach pain?
How do I know if my stomach pain is serious?
What are the types of stomach pain?
How do you get rid of a stomach ache in 5 minutes?
How do I know if my stomach pain is gas?
How to get rid of a stomachache fast without medicine?
• Drink more water
• Drink lemon and baking soda with water
• Consume water infused with mint, cinnamon, ginger, or cumin
• Eat bananas
• Use heat pads
Although home remedies work well in relieving stomach pain, you should consult a doctor if you are experiencing persistent or extreme stomach pain.What are some stomach pain and loose motion home remedies that work?
Reference:
- Remedies for Stomach Pain. WebMD.
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/remedies-stomach-pain .Accessed April 10, 2023.” - 4 home remedies for an upset stomach (plus 6 things to avoid). University of Nebraska–Lincoln[Internet].
https://health.unl.edu/4-home-remedies-upset-stomach-plus-6-things-avoid .Accessed April 17, 2023.” - 12 home remedies for stomach pain. MedicalNewsToday.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322047 .Accessed April 15, 2023.” - How Do You Relieve Upper Stomach Pain?. MedicineNet. https://www.medicinenet.com/how_do_you_relieve_upper_stomach_pain/article.htm .Accessed April 12, 2023.