What Can Cause a Stomachache?

There are many different things that may be the root of your stomach pain. Here are a few of the more common causes:
– Indigestion
– Gas
– Constipation or IBS
– Gastric reflux
– Menstrual cramps
– Ulcers
– Kidney stones
– Gallstones
– Hernia
– A stomach virus
– Appendicitis
– Lactose intolerance or any other food allergy
– Food poisoning

When To Visit a Doctor

Before you begin trying to treat your own condition, you should be aware that your stomach may be a sign of a deeper issue. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms with your stomach pain, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can:
– Your pain lasts for more than a few hours
– Fever
– Constipation and vomiting
– Inability to keep food down for more than two days
– Frequent or painful urination
– You have suffered from an injury to your abdomen
– Your stomach is warm and tender to touch

Natural Remedies for Stomach Pain

If you are not experiencing any other symptoms with your stomach pain, there is no reason why you cannot attempt to treat it yourself. There are over the counter remedies tat you can try to relieve your stomach pain. However, there are also more than a few all-natural treatments that you can also use.

1. Drink Chamomile Tea
If your stomach pain is caused by indigestion or gastritis, a cup of chamomile tea can do the trick. This tea is an anti-inflammatory that targets the digestive tract. It helps the muscles along the digestive tract to relax and ease the contractions that cause your food to move through your body. This can also reduce the effects of any cramps or spasms that you may be feeling.

2. Consume Warm Lemon Water
This is another great remedy that targets indigestion. When your stomach cannot digest food and absorb its nutrients, it causes pain in your tummy. Indigestion is sometimes caused by a limited amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. By drinking lemon juice, you can jump start the production of hydrochloric acid and thus digestion. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice into a warm glass of water. Try drinking this after every meal.

3. Use Apple Cider Vinegar
This is another acidic drink that can actually help to reduce pain caused by gastric reflux. When the stomach acid leaks into places it is not supposed to be, it reduces the levels of acid in your stomach. This makes digesting food difficult and can cause you pain. By drinking apple cider vinegar, you can boost those acid levels and relive your pain. Though it works best when it is taken raw, you can mix it with water or honey to make it more palatable.

4. Ginger
Ginger can do wonders when used to get rid of stomach pain. It helps your digestive system to relax, digest food more easily, limit gas production, prevent nausea, and get rid of your stomach ache. Cut ginger into fine pieces. Then, boil two cups of water and add in the ginger pieces. Strain the mixture and drink it. You can also add honey if you want to.

5. Use a Hot Water Bottle
No matter what is causing your pain, a hot compress can help to relieve some of the pain. Fill a water bottle with warm or hot water. The temperature should be dependent on your personal preference and the amount of pain you are feeling. Then, wrap the bottle in a towel or cloth so that there is a barrier between the heat and your skin. Then, find a comfortable position to lay down in and relax.

6. Drink Peppermint Tea
Peppermint has long been praised for its ability to ease stomach pain. Like using a hot compress, drinking peppermint tea can help to relieve most types of abdominal discomfort. This is because peppermint leaves contain menthol, which is the active ingredient that targets nausea and stomachaches. If you are not a big tea drinker, you can also try chewing on mint leaves, smelling peppermint extract, or even eating a mint candy cane.

7. Eat Bland Foods
When your stomach is upset, doing something as simple as eating flavorless and bland foods can help. After all, you still need to eat. Stay away from foods that contain spices or salt. Try eating rice, toast, applesauce, or even bananas.