Practical and Effective Remedies for Upset Stomach Relief

By Cornelia Tjandra |
|7 min read

No matter the quality of your nutrition and how balanced your diet is, an upset stomach is one of the worst things you'd want to encounter from time to time. Having all been there, we know that an upset stomach can stop you from doing basic day-to-day activities, such as reading a book, watching a movie, or working on a project from your computer.

Besides poor nutrition and water intake, an upset stomach can be caused by indigestion, gas, stomach infection, overeating, heartburn, and much more. Taking a painkiller might be a temporary solution, but if the problem persists, you might want to try more concrete solutions.

So, how do you settle an upset stomach? To find out, sit back, relax, and keep reading.

How to Relieve an Upset Stomach?

Depending on how complex your situation is, you can use home remedies or seek medical advice. Listed below are a few of the best solutions for an upset stomach.

1. Food remedies

They say that you are what you eat. This should lead you to think more about what you put in your mouth and focus more on healthy food. For an upset stomach, we've come up with a list of healthy foods that will help you alleviate this common problem.

  • Ginger

Ginger, one of the most effective solutions to this problem, has been used for relieving upset stomachs for ages. It aids digestion, eases inflammation, and reduces motion sickness. The best way to utilize this solution is to get ginger root, boil it into a cup of tea, and drink it. There are also various ginger supplements on the market, including candies and chews, and they're all good for an upset stomach.

  • Water

Your digestive system wouldn't be able to function without water because it helps with constipation and protects you from severe dehydration in case of vomiting or diarrhea. Just imagine having no water in your digestive system - in this case, it would be much harder to dissolve food. and whenever your stomach struggles to digest food, you get stomach pain. We recommend that you drink warm or room-temperature water, instead of ice-cold water, as it's much easier on the stomach.

  • Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a great addition to rice pudding, but aside from that, it's also a powerful antioxidant that helps with an upset stomach. Thanks to several antioxidants such as camphor, cinnamaldehyde, and eugenol, it's great for preventing irritation and damage to your digestive tract. One tablespoon of cinnamon powder per meal is enough to relieve an upset stomach.

  • Baking soda

Baking soda is something we all have somewhere in our homes. This relatively cheap substance, also known as sodium bicarbonate, has a very high pH and is alkaline. Alkaline substances are great for eliminating acid (such as acid in your stomach, caused by indigestion), giving you a quick upset stomach relief. Even if you don't use it that often, be sure to have it somewhere in your home - you never know when you're going to need it!

  • Bananas

Much like rice, bananas have a lot of sugar, which in conjunction with folate, vitamin B6, and potassium, help relieve an upset stomach. By adding bulk to your stool, bananas can also fight against diarrhea, in case you have stomach flu or any similar problem. Two bananas per day are more than enough to relieve an upset stomach and get you back on track.

2. Physical remedies

Physical remedies are great when combined with food remedies or if food remedies don't help. As with the previous remedies, we've also come up with a list of physical remedies that might put your upset stomach out of its misery.

  • Applying heat

Applying heat is something many women do when they are on their periods. Doing the same can also help with an upset stomach. To effectively apply heat to your stomach, use a hot water bottle, a heating pad, or a hot bath. You can also use several blankets and tuck yourself underneath them to keep yourself warm. The heat will relax stomach muscles, improve digestion, and soothe stomach spasms.

  • Resting

Having an upset stomach leaves you incapable of doing almost anything, so resting or taking a nap is a great solution. By taking a power nap in combination with the previous remedy, you can easily get rid of an upset stomach without any effort.

  • Massage pressure points

Chinese remedies for relieving stress and nausea can be of great use. Massaging acupressure points is one such remedy. Before you begin with that, be sure to find a quiet place in your house, where you feel relaxed. When targeting the pressure point, be sure to press it hard with your fingertip or knuckle and apply deep pressure for 30 seconds. Stay relaxed, breathe deeply, and you should feel an upset stomach relief immediately.

3. Medicinal help

Drinking too much medicine can increase your resistance to certain substances, which is why you should resort to medicine help last. If your stomach is very upset, the remedies below can be of great help.

  • Over-the-counter antacids

Antacids are great for occasional use and should be used only as directed! Essentially, these contain elements such as magnesium or calcium, and their function is to eliminate acids secreted by your stomach. They're best used when you have that roiling feeling in your stomach.

  • Bismuth subsalicylate

Bismuth subsalicylate is great when you have diarrhea that lasts for quite some time and won't subside on its own. The side effect is constipation, so it should be used moderately, as your doctor instructs you. DO NOT use this product on your own!

How to Prevent an Upset Stomach?

It's always better to prevent than to cure, so let's see what you can do to avoid getting your stomach upset.

1. Avoid processed foods

You don't need us to tell you that processed foods are bad for your health. Not only will you get fat, but you will also have problems with your digestive tract. Focus more on fresh food, such as veggies, fruit, and lean meat.

2. Eat more slowly

Eating should be an enjoyment for you. This is the time when you get to consume your favorite food, so don't rush it and start chewing your food properly. Swallowing big pieces of food can lead to stomach pain, which can sometimes result in constipation. Be sure to eat slowly and enjoy every bite.

3. Cut back on coffee and alcohol

Instead of alcohol and coffee, start drinking more water. One liter per 25 kilograms of your body weight is more than enough. If you're a woman and weigh 50 kilograms, 2 liters of water is enough to satisfy your daily needs – it's 8 glasses of water per day. As for coffee and alcohol, they can irritate the lining of your stomach, so you should avoid or minimize it.

4. Wash your hands frequently

Dirty hands can damage your stomach pretty badly. The common cause for an upset stomach is a stomach virus, sometimes called stomach bug, and in medicine, it's known as gastroenteritis. This condition is followed by fever, headache, nausea, and high body temperature. To avoid catching a stomach virus, wash your hands before you eat, after going to the bathroom, and when visiting public places.

Summary

That's it for today. Now that you know how to prevent and cure an upset stomach, be sure to take drastic measures to prevent this from happening. Drink a lot of water, avoid alcohol, and minimize your coffee intake. Try to have a daily walking schedule and steer clear from processed foods. For more home remedies, visit the link below.

YOU MAY LIKE

RELATED TOPICS

By clicking into any content on this site, you agree to our privacy and cookies policy.