Whether it's because of a Thanksgiving meal or because you simply ate too late, an upset stomach is something just about everyone deals with from time to time. For some people, there are a variety of foods that can trigger an upset stomach due to food intolerances. Symptoms of an upset stomach can include pain, bloating, frequent bowel movements and nausea. Of course, if you are experiencing severe symptoms, or aren't sure why you are frequently dealing with an upset stomach, a doctor's visit may be in order to eliminate any serious possibilities. No matter how frequently you get an upset stomach, there are times when you can't make frequent trips to the bathroom, or simply want the stomach ache to go away so you can enjoy the rest of the day. Here are some things you can try.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water is vital for many different reasons, from having healthier skin to feeling less run down. Another important reason is because the body needs water to aid with digestion. This is especially true after eating a big meal. Drinking water with your meal can be helpful for a couple of reasons. Not only can it aid in digestion, it can also help you feel full sooner, which may keep you from overeating. If you didn't drink much water with your meal and are experiencing an upset stomach, try drinking some water and see if it helps. While it may not be as beneficial as drinking water with your meal, it can sometimes be enough to do the trick and relieve your stomach discomfort.
Eat A Bland Diet
If your stomach is upset due to an illness or has been going on for a few days, you may want to consider eating a bland diet until things are back to normal. These easy-to-digest foods can help relieve your discomfort, and can prevent the gnawing hunger you may feel when you're too hesitant to eat anything else. Foods to try include rice, plain toast, applesauce, bananas or yogurt. Eat slowly at first if you have had a hard time keeping things down. Even if you haven't been vomiting, these are foods that may help calm your nausea.
Try Essential Oils
Essential oils can help relieve an upset stomach. While caution should be used in ingesting them, diluting them and applying them to the stomach, or even diffusing the oils in the air for you to smell, can help eliminate the feelings of upset stomach. Some high quality Young Living Essential Oils, diluted with a carrier oil, can be rubbed in a clockwise motion over the belly. Minty oils are most likely to help quell the feelings of nausea.
Apply A Heating Pad
Heat can be a great way to help relieve pain. It can relax the muscles, which could be the cause of your upset stomach. In addition, many people find that their pain is reduced when they apply heat to their belly. If you don't have a heating pad, taking a relaxing bath may help. Keep in mind, some people may find their nausea is worse when they apply heat, so only use it if you notice it helping relieve your symptoms.
Prevention
Of course, preventing a stomach ache is often better than treating it. When eating, take small bites and chew thoroughly. This makes the digesting process easier. Avoid foods that you find often give you an upset stomach, as this could be the sign of a food intolerance. Eating smaller and more frequent meals may help prevent upset stomach as well.
Dealing with an unhappy stomach is no fun, but these remedies may help relieve some of the discomfort. Drinking water while you eat can help prevent overeating and aid in digestion, while eating easy-to-digest foods can help your stomach heal. Essential oils and a heating pad may help with indigestion or cramping you may be experiencing. Of course, eating slowly and avoiding potential trouble foods can help prevent your stomachache in the first place.
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Written By:
Paisley Hansen is a freelance writer and expert in health, fitness, and growing young. When she isn’t writing she can usually be found reading a good book or hitting the gym. She loves hearing from readers so feel free to contact her through Facebook.
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Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.
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