Stomach pain – what to do?

If there is no serious illness, several home remedies for stomach pain can help. If psychological problems are the cause, the living conditions should be changed urgently, not only because ultimately stress and strain can also lead to stomach ulcers. Avoid the hustle and bustle at work (if possible, no shift work) and in your private life, ensure rest and balance sport (e.g. yoga or Tai Chi) and give your cracked soul a boost with Bach flowers.

Psychotherapy for depression

If you have depression or other causes that are not temporary, you may want to consider psychotherapy. In general, it is essential to avoid the factors that trigger stomach pain and, if necessary, to stay in bed for a day or two.

Home remedies for stomach pain

The following home remedies can help treat stomach pain:

• Herbal teas: coriander, chamomile, basil leaves, caraway, fennel, ginger, aniseed, and lemon balm soothe the stomach and digestive tract and can be processed into tea creations or bought as ready-made tea blends.
• Warmth:  A hot water bottle on the upper abdomen can relieve stomach pain.
• Regular meals: Eat at regular times, avoid heavy slurping, and try not to keep nibbling between meals.
• Avoiding sweets: Try to eat as little sugar as possible.
• Still water: Drink a glass of lukewarm water as soon as you get up or dissolve a pinch of baking soda in the water.
• Stomach dulls:  Artichoke juice, fresh cabbage juice or little bitters after a heavy meal make digestion easier.
• Sea buckthorn:  Half a teaspoon of sea buckthorn from the pharmacy three times a day helps against stomach cramps
• Vinegar Wraps: Pour vinegar into a bowl of hot water and soak a towel. Lay the unwound cloth on your stomach for a quarter of an hour.
• Potatoes:  Eat potato soup or fresh mashed potatoes.

Diet for stomach pain

In the case of diet-related stomach pains, it is worth changing your diet. Avoid fatty foods and sumptuous meals as much as possible, avoid excessive consumption of meat and animal products, and instead switch to whole foods, fruits, and vegetables. Start the day with fruit and avoid late supper.

Avoid over-acidification of the stomach (acidosis) by avoiding acidic foods and consuming only a few carbohydrates but lots of fibre. Light soups (especially fat-free chicken soup), salads and natural yoghurt have also proven to be gentle on the stomach. Eat a varied diet enriched with digestive spices such as cumin, ginger and fennel.

At the beginning of the change in diet, individual therapeutic fasting can be beneficial to cleanse the gastrointestinal tract. In some cases, other options for treating stomach pain with medication must also be considered.