Bellyplan

One of the most common pains that can be cured with over-the-counter drugs or home remedies is stomach pains. Stomach upsets to everyone at one point of their lives so it is best to know what to do depending on what that stomach pain is due to. Here are some of the most common reasons of abdominal pains and their corresponding cures.

1. Heartburn

. Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, can be caused by a multitude of things. Most commonly it is caused by the following:
i. Eating chocolate that has theobromine, a component of cocoa that makes the stomach acid shoot out into the esophagus
ii. Fried, fatty foods are slow to digest and they put pressure on the LES (lower esophageal sphincter), promoting reflux.
iii. Alcohol relaxes your LES that allows the reflux of stomach acids and to top it off, it also increases acid in the body
iv. Having meals that will make you too full. A heavy stomach increases the chances of putting pressure on your LES.
v. Eating a few hours before bedtime. Again causing pressure to your LES, allowing for reflux of food.
vi. Wearing tight clothes. Remember that belt that brings your outfit together but it kind of snug? Well, it raises the chances of heartburn as it constricts the stomach, forcing food up the LES.
. Heartburn feels like having a burning sensation and lasting pain (up to 2 hours) in the breastbone area. It would also feel like something sour or bitter just crawled up at the back of your throat, like vomit. You would also feel a heavy stomach.
. If you have heartburn, there are OTC remedies you can buy like Tums, Pepcid, Rolaids, Pepto-Bismol or Zantac. There are also natural treatments for it, like drinking chamomile tea that relaxes the stomach walls.

2. Diarrhea

. When you defecate for more than 3-4 times a day and have loose stools, you may have diarrhea. It is caused by such reasons below.
i. Intolerances in food, like those that are lactose intolerant. If you are unable to process milk but you end up accidentally drinking it, you may experience this.
ii. Viral infections
iii. Bacterial infections like E. coli.
iv. Bad reaction to medicines such as antacids with magnesium.
. Diarrhea may be experienced with abdominal pain and nausea
. Pepto-Bismol can be used as treatment for mild cases of diarrhea. The more common drug used for this is Imodium. For home made remedies, you can use ground salted ginger, carrot soup, mint and lime juice sweetened by honey and dried up powdered mango seeds with honey.

3. Bloating

. Also known as feeling gassy.
i. It can be caused by too much gas released by bacteria. Bacteria thrive well when the host body has slow digestion, allowing more food for them to feast on.
ii. Having swallowed air without burping it out can also cause bloating
. This is the uncomfortable feeling of having a full or enlarged abdomen, usually accompanied by burping or belching.
. The best home remedy for this is drinking lots of water. In terms of medicines, you can try Mylanta Gas.