Discover simple home remedies to soothe an upset stomach and manage viral gastroenteritis; find tips for hydration, suitable foods like the BRAT diet, plus when to seek medical help.
Ever felt like your stomach’s doing the tango… and not in a good way? Nausea, tummy rumbles, ugh. We all get hit with stomach upset, especially viral gastroenteritis sometimes, but what can we do about it? Let’s talk simple home remedies that may provide some relief.
Note: We’ll explore the topic further below, so stick around for all the details!
- Ways to Minimize the Symptoms of Gastroenteritis at Home
- Treating Gastroenteritis Symptoms at Home
- When Should I See a Doctor?
Ways to Minimize the Symptoms of Gastroenteritis at Home
So, here are some of the tips that may help you alleviate some of the symptoms of gastroenteritis:
1- Drink an Adequate Amount of Fluids
Staying hydrated is, like, the most important thing when you’ve got the stomach flu. Why? Because gastroenteritis can lead to dehydration due to, um, losing fluids through diarrhea, vomiting, or sweating. Dehydration during gastroenteritis can be life-threatening.
When it comes to replenishing fluids effectively, it’s recommended to drink small amounts of fluids regularly, instead of gulping down large quantities at once, which can trigger nausea. So, small sips are better, think like, an ounce or two every 15 minutes or so.
And! Avoid sugary drinks, like soda, because they can actually make diarrhea worse. Caffeine’s a no-go too, it has a diuretic effect and that’ll just contribute to fluid loss, in our experience. Also, alcohol? Definitely avoid it, as it can irritate your stomach even more.
2- Consume Suitable Foods
While you’re feeling blah, it may be good to lean into what some doctors call the BRAT Diet. It’s basically eating foods that are easy to digest and rely on simple carbohydrates to give your body some much-needed energy and replace nutrients lost through diarrhea and vomiting.
It’s also important to stay away from certain foods and drinks, including:
- Dairy Products: Not everyone can handle dairy when they have gastroenteritis, because it can be hard on your system.
- Fiber: Your body doesn’t really need fiber during this time because it can speed up bowel movements and cause diarrhea.
- Fatty Foods: High-fat foods should be avoided when you have gastroenteritis.
- Spicy Foods: Try not to consume spicy foods because they can also irritate your stomach.
3- Get Sufficient Rest
One of the symptoms of gastroenteritis is fatigue, so your body needs some rest and sleep to get you feeling better.
Rest helps your body direct its energy toward fighting off the viruses that are causing the illness and reducing any negative effects. It’s like giving your body the break it needs to recover.
Treating Gastroenteritis Symptoms at Home
Sadly, there isn’t a cure for gastroenteritis, but you can try to ease the symptoms on your own. Remember, whether it’s viral or bacterial, good old TLC can help a lot.
Ginger and Mint
Ginger helps reduce inflammation, improves digestive function, and reduces feelings of nausea and vomiting. Here’s how to make ginger tea:
- Add a small slice of fresh ginger or half a teaspoon of powdered ginger to a cup of water.
- Let the mixture boil for 5 minutes then steep it covered for 10 more.
- Drink this tea two to three times a day until you feel better.
As for mint, it is a common way to treat gastroenteritis symptoms at home because it helps reduce stomach upset and treats gas and bloating. To prepare mint tea, follow these steps:
- Place some fresh mint leaves in the water.
- Let the mixture boil for a few minutes, then steep it covered for a while.
- Drink this tea once or twice a day until you feel better.
Cinnamon:
Cinnamon may treat gastroenteritis symptoms at home.
Cinnamon contains compounds that work to fight against inflammation and viruses, so it can help improve digestive function and reduce nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. To prepare cinnamon tea:
- Add a small piece of cinnamon stick to a cup of warm water.
- Let it sit, then add a teaspoon of honey.
- Drink this mixture twice daily and monitor if the symptoms improve.
Chamomile:
Chamomile is also used to treat the symptoms of gastroenteritis naturally.
Chamomile is often used as a remedy for inflammation and viruses, helping to improve stomach function, reduce vomiting, diarrhea, and gas. You can prepare chamomile tea by:
- Add 2-3 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers to a cup of hot water.
- Cover the cup and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes.
- Add some lemon and honey to it.
- Drink this mixture three to four times for 2-3 days.
Lemon:
Lemon can also help with gastroenteritis symptoms. It’s full of vitamin C which is important for supporting your immune system as it fights off whatever made you sick.
- Add 1-2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice to a cup of water.
- Drink the mixture about 30 minutes before having a meal.
- Continue this routine until you feel better.
When Should I See a Doctor?
If you’ve tried all the tips above to treat gastroenteritis symptoms at home and the symptoms don’t get better, or if severe symptoms appear, then you should probably check in with a doctor. Here’s when:
- If you can’t keep down fluids for close to 24 hours.
- If you’re dehydrated.
- There’s blood in your stool.
- You have a fever that reaches 104°F (40°C).
“I was hit with the worst stomach bug last month, and I felt awful. Everything hurt, and I couldn’t keep anything down. Following some of these recommendations made a difference. Slowly sipping ginger tea and sticking to the BRAT diet really helped me get back on my feet. So grateful for simple solutions!”
“Honestly, when my kid had a tummy bug, it was so stressful. Knowing which foods to avoid and making sure they stayed hydrated made me feel a bit more in control. The chamomile tea was a winner, calmed everyone down!”
FAQ
Question: Can I use sports drinks to rehydrate?
Answer: While sports drinks do contain electrolytes, they can also be high in sugar, which can sometimes worsen diarrhea. Water, diluted juice, or oral rehydration solutions are typically better choices, but, talk to your doctor for personalized advice!
Myth: You should stop eating entirely until the vomiting stops.
Fact: While you might not feel like eating much, it’s actually better to try to eat small, easily digestible foods, once you can keep them down, to give your body some energy and nutrients. We recommend the BRAT diet!
So, dealing with an upset stomach isn’t fun, but it’s something we all face sometimes. Hopefully, these simple home remedies can provide you with some relief the next time you’re feeling under the weather, but, remember that if you are not feeling better seek a professional medical assistance.
article, health, upset stomach, gastroenteritis, home remedies
