How to Relieve A Sick Belly

It's one of those things you don't want to dwell on let alone talk about. Stomach aches are something you experience from the time you’re little, well into adulthood. As much as we don't want to talk about it, how to relieve a sick belly is really important and the more knowledge we have about it the better for us and anyone we know too.

Most of the time a sick belly or upset stomach is not caused by anything serious, and will usually pass on their own. However stomach aches can be uncomfortable and often painful, and can interfere with your day or sleep if left untreated for long enough. It's important to recognise symptoms and know when we should reach out for professional help if our sick belly goes beyond a minor or temporary thing. Here are some ideas for home remedies you can do to holistically help relieve the symptoms of a sick belly.

How Can I Relieve the Symptoms of A Sick Belly At Home?

As most of the time tummy pain will pass on its own, it’s always helpful to know what steps you can take to relieve the symptoms of stomach pains for yourself and for your family, you’ll never know when you may need them.

How a Heat Pack Can Help a Sick Belly

If you are experiencing pain in the stomach, a useful way to help ease the discomfort is with a heat pack. This tip is not just a shameless plug for our Hot & Cold Therapy bags. I actually use them at home for myself and my kids. The warmth can greatly ease stomach aches from cramping due to period pain and ease generalised pain in the abdomen and I’ve always found curling up with a heat pack or even electric blanket is comforting when I’m in pain. Our lupin hot and cold therapy bags are lightweight and can hold heat for long periods of time. kris

The Benefit of Three Teas

Used for centuries to treat numerous health conditions and ailments, herbal teas have so many health benefits that can be used to help relieve symptoms of specific issues and overall health. For indigestion, stomach pain and nausea, these three herbal teas can give you relief in a completely natural and holistic way. 

Ginger Tea: We have to start with ginger! This root is magic, and is part of my diet whether i’m feeling sick or not, as I love the health benefits it has.  As a natural anti-inflammatory, ginger tea works very well to ease stomach pain and nausea, and studies have shown it can help relieve painful cramps. You can also take ginger in supplement, juice or raw form, it works regardless!

Peppermint Tea: The menthol within peppermint works as a natural analgesic, or pain-reliever, so drinking peppermint tea when you have an upset stomach or have cramps can help ease the discomfort. It’s also helpful in relieving nausea. 

Chamomile Tea: As another natural anti-inflammatory, a nice cup of chamomile tea can help ease pain and soothe a sick belly. 

Apple Cider Vinegar Stomach Ache Remedy

Cramping and painful gas can sometimes be a result of indigestion, and apple cider vinegar can help ease that pain. Try one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and for a milder taste mix with a glass of warm water and some honey or lemon juice. 

BRAT Diet

No this is not a diet for spoiled kids! If you are experiencing a stomach bug that’s causing diarrhoea or excessive vomiting, the BRAT diet can help reduce irritation in the gut and replenish the loss of potassium and magnesium, BRAT stands for banas, rice, applesauce and toast - all bland foods that settle the acids caused from vomiting. And remember, if symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea do not go away please contact your primary health care professional straight away!

Soda Water To Ease The Pain

A traditional household remedy for nausea and stomach pain, a glass of soda water or a carbonated drink (not soft drinks high in sugar like coca cola or fanta) may help ease indigestion by releasing trapped gas in the gastrointestinal tract. 

Stay Hydrated 

To help prevent irritation in the bowels that can cause an upset stomach and indigestion, staying hydrated on a daily basis will help a lot. Drinking fluids at the first sign of stomach pain can also relieve symptoms, so remember to start with water when trying to get rid of stomach pain. 

Supplements To Help An Upset Stomach

There are many natural supplements you can take to help prevent an upset stomach and indigestion. Some that we have already mentioned like peppermint, chamomile and ginger can all be taken in supplement or even oil form (peppermint) if that's what you prefer, and there are other supplements you can take to improve your overall digestion and bowel health for a happy tummy. 

• Probiotics - everyone has probiotics naturally, and they can be taken to help replenish the good bacteria in your gut to promote better digestive health, regular bowel movements and some can improve diarrhoea and symptoms of IBS. 

• Artichoke leaf extract - this supplement is lesser known, but has shown to possess the ability to relieve nausea, bloating, cramping, gas and vomiting when taken daily. It also enhances liver health!

• Glutamine - we all have this amino acid in our bodies, and one of it’s main jobs is maintaining the efficacy of the cells lining the small intestine, and prevents what is known as leaky gut syndrome - meaning that undigested particles do not leave your gut and find their way into your bloodstream. This helps reduce abdominal pain, keeps your bowels regular and your energy up. 

As an Australian made and produced company, at Live Well Health Essentials it’s important to us to support Australian grown and made products to better uphold the local economy and ensure a high quality of products. That’s why we love recommending JS HEALTH’s vitamins and supplements for people looking to support their health holistically. Their Skin + Digestion supplements and Detox + Debloat Formula are both great ways to enhance your gut health and support a healthy digestive system, with both formulas having many of the ingredients we have discussed in them - glutamine, ginger, and many more. If you’re not someone who likes taking a big handful of vitamins, because let’s face it, who enjoys that, these supplements are a great way to include these sources into your diet in a compounded, easy way. 

What Can Bring On A Sick Belly?

Sometimes an upset stomach can just be the unhappy result of a bad piece of food, a reaction to new medication, or digestive issue, and sometimes you can experience pain in the abdomen because of specific medical conditions or environmental factors. 

Menstruation

Some people with periods can experience symptoms like diarrhoea on or just before their period. We are still not absolutely sure as to why this occurs, but it probably has a relation to your gastrointestinal system being affected by the uterus contracting as well as the hormonal shift. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids to balance the amount of water you lose while experiencing diarrhoea if you are someone who experiences this!

Travelling

There is a disorder known as Traveller’s Diarrhoea where after ingesting food and water in a place where the sanitary and environmental practices are different to what your body is accustomed to, your digestion will be affected. Stomach pain and diarrhoea are common with this disorder, and it is usually nothing to be concerned about, and will pass on it’s own. It’s always best to be prepared for this common bug however, so before you jump onto your next vacation be sure to take your Live Well Belly Bug Sick Bags with you so you’re not caught by surprise. 

Change in Environment

Traveller’s Diarrhoea is not just limited to going to a new country, some people can actually experience stomach pain when moving house, or switching from filtered to unfiltered water. 

Bali Belly

Sigh… Is there anyone who doesn’t have a harrowing story about Bali Belly? Bali Belly is essentially a more extreme version of traveller’s diarrhoea, which can often be accompanied by a mild fever, nausea, vomiting, cramps and uncontrollable need to go to the bathroom. Not exactly a walk in the park! It’s caused by a change in diet and possible bacteria from new foods and water. While it usually passes after a few days, if it hangs around for longer you should contact a doctor. 

What To Do If My Symptoms Won’t Go Away

As a general rule, if you are experiencing the more extreme symptoms of an upset stomach like, abdominal pain, non stop vomiting and diarrhoea, then you should definitely contact either your primary health care physician or even go to the emergency room. 

IBS

If you start noticing that you feel pain in the abdomen, indigestion, and nausea after eating certain foods, that can sometimes be an indicator of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a common condition. This is diagnosable through a medical professional, and may mean certain foods are not supported by your digestive system. 

Appendicitis 

In some extreme cases, experiencing non stop pain in the abdomen as well as nausea, loss of appetite, and diarrhoea can be symptoms of appendicitis - so if your abdomen pain is not easing and keeps getting worse, it’s time to go to the hospital. 

In the end…

There could be any number of reasons why you are experiencing a sick belly, so if your pain or discomfort is not getting better or keeps getting worse, if in doubt, please make sure to go see a medical professional - better to be safe than sorry!