Some people experience stomach ache and gastrointestinal discomfort more frequently than others. This can be due to diet or a variety of other reasons. But most of the time, stomach ache on its own is not a cause for concern and the symptoms can easily be treated with over the counter medications and home remedies. If the problems persist even after taking a suitable medication, the affected person should consult a doctor for further evaluation and maybe make some lifestyle changes.
When it comes to safe over-the-counter meds stomach meds and home remedies, the following have been found to be the most effective.
Various Over-The-Counter Stomach Ache Medications
Source: Insider
Depending on the type of discomfort you’re feeling, you can pick from the many different over-the-counter medications that promise to solve your problem. For when you’re feeling bloated or when you’re stomach is upset because of overeating, you can try water-soluble tablets that contain sodium bicarbonate as well as anhydrous citric acid. They help relieve heartburn and indigestion. Adults can take up to 8 tablets in a 24-hour period.
Or if you’re feeling stomach ache and have really strong acid reflux even without overeating, you can try taking antacid powder or tablets. Since it’s sold over-the-counter, you can buy a suitable antacid Australia wide, both from local and e-pharmacies. In addition to treating acid reflux, antacid medicine can also help you reduce the symptoms of flatulence and nausea.
One teaspoon or tablet is enough to solve your problems and you should mix it in a glass of water. The active ingredients in the powder and the antacid tablets are sodium bicarbonate, citric acid and anhydrous sodium carbonate. And you can drink it every 2-3 hours until you feel better. However, it’s important to stress out that antacids are not a long-term solution. If your choice is to use an antacid Australia doctors recommend avoiding doing so over prolonged periods of time, since it can cause negative effects.
Activated charcoal capsules also help with gas and flatulence, but are not recommended for long time use as well. Activated charcoal is made by heating materials that are rich with carbon such as quality wood and coconut shells. Studies have shown that activated charcoal is quite effective in eliminating gas and although there isn’t a strict dosage for it. The usual recommendation is to take one tablet after a meal or before bedtime.
In case you’re having cramps, pain and spasms you should try pain relief tablets that contain hyoscine butylbromide – the most common medication used in the treatment of abdominal issues. This medicine works very quickly and should ease your symptoms in 15 minutes or so. It’s also recommended for people that suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and can help with bladder cramps and period pain too. The proper dosage is up to three tablets a day for adults. You shouldn’t overstep the limit.
Herbal Tea with Anti-Inflammatory Effect
Source: Healthline
Herbal tea is the second most commonly used remedy when it comes to stomach pain, cramps and nausea. In fact, tea helps a lot in those cases and can often be enough on its own.
The first choice of many is usually peppermint tea. Peppermint tea has anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties. It relaxes the digestive system and therefore relieves pain, cramps and bloating. A person can drink this type of tea throughout the whole day without worrying about any possible side effects. Peppermint tea doesn’t contain caffeine and is overall beneficial for the body.
Chamomile tea also helps if you have problems with your digestive system. It too has anti-inflammatory properties, helps the muscles relax and consequentially reduces pain and cramps. It contains flavonoids – chemicals that contribute to the medicinal effect. It’s effective in eliminating period pain, gastrointestinal pain and can be helpful with hemorrhoids too. It’s recommended to start with a small dose and then gradually increase it.
Ginger tea can also help to some extent, although you need to be careful with the dosage. Too much ginger tea can have the opposite effect as it can irritate the stomach lining. If you don’t like the bitter taste, you can sweeten your ginger tea with the popular natural manuka honey which has also been found to have positive digestive effects. So it’s a win-win.
Apply a Heating Pad
Source: Verywell Health
Heat therapy has been used for a very long time as an effective remedy for abdominal pain and cramps. Basically, applying some heat helps improve circulation, therefore the muscles become more relaxed and the pain and cramps are more bearable. You should feel the effects in a couple of hours after you first apply the heating pad.
For a better effect, you can try and combine the heating pad with essential oils. The best essential oils for this purpose are peppermint, lavender, ginger, cinnamon, jasmine and lemon balm. These botanicals also have a soothing effect so you’ll feel better in no time.
Include Yogurt and Probiotics in Your Diet
Source: Logansport Memorial Hospital
Yogurt is a dairy product that’s made from bacteria coming from fermented milk. It’s also rich in nutrients that help the digestive system a lot, especially if it contains probiotics. Probiotics can be added to yogurt either at the beginning or after it is pasteurized. The most common probiotics found in yogurt are bifidobacteria and lactobacillus which help with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating and excess gas.
If you’re lactose intolerant or simply don’t eat dairy products, you can take probiotics as a supplement. Probiotics help in maintaining a healthy balance in your body. They somewhat support the immune system and help with inflammation. There are several medical conditions where taking probiotics has been proven to be effective including diarrhea, constipation, bloating, lactose intolerance, IBS, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.
Try Mild Exercise and Yoga
Source: Z Living
Low impact exercises can also help with digestive problems. Regular exercise helps with your health in general, but it also lowers inflammation and improves the work of the digestive system and how effectively the food moves through it.
Yoga is the go-to low impact exercise to many and the most recommended option for treating stomach pain, in fact. It includes the performance of different poses, stretching and breathing that in the long term improves both the physical and the mental well-being of the individual.
How does it work? Many of the yoga poses are stimulating to the internal organs as well as the nervous system which consequentially contributes to better digestion. You’ll first start to notice improvements after a month of consistent practising.