There are many causes for an upset stomach. Everything from a winding roadtrip through the mountains to a queasy pregnancy can cause nausea. Because of this, the remedies for upset stomach vary as each situation may call for a different solution and every person finds relief for upset stomachs in different ways.
Nausea during pregnancy
When I was pregnant, the smell of coffee would send me heading straight for the bathroom. Every woman has her own story of what she “couldn’t stand the smell of” during pregnancy. There isn’t hard evidence to the cause of nausea during pregnancy, but regardless of scientific proofs…the evidence of the symptom is universal. The Mayo Clinic warns against an empty stomach: “Eat before or as soon as you feel hungry. An empty stomach can aggravate nausea. Eat frequent high-carbohydrate, low-fat meals.”
Cure for car sickness
How many parents have had the emergency experience of a child in the back of the car suddenly telling you they were going to throw up? Getting car sick, or suffering from motion sickness can happen in a car, on a boat, or anywhere there is movement. How can you help motion sickness from happening? “Avoid strong odors and spicy or greasy foods that do not agree with you (immediately before and during your travel)” according to advice from medicinenet.
Another possible remedy is a dose of Dramamine prior to your trip. The downside to Dramamine is the sleepy effect it has on many people. I personally take it prior to going on a boat just in case. It is better to prevent motion sickness than to try and cure it once you have it.
Hangover cure
Sometimes you may find yourself indulging a little too much at a cocktail party or went wild at a college frat party…either way, waking up with a hangover usually means a nauseated stomach. The best cure is to avoid alcohol. If that is not possible, the next best thing is to eat food with your adult beverage and drink plenty of fruit juice and water. Dehydration is one of the main causes of a hangover (alcohol dehydrates you).
Overeating causes nausea, gas and bloating
If you overate and now feel nauseous, you are in good company across the United States. We have all suffered a “stuffed feeling” at one time or another, especially during the holidays when so much delicious food is placed in front of us. I often will treat my overeating with a common concoction of a tablespoon of baking soda in a small glass of water. I also have used Alka Seltzers. Both have proven effective for me when I overeat. Another possible remedy to keep you from vomiting is to “drink small amounts of clear, sweetened liquids such as soda or fruit juices (except orange and grapefruit juices because these are too acidic)” according to webmd.com.
Home remedies for nausea, Grandma and Mom’s cure for nausea
There are numerous grandma and mom cures for nausea. Baking soda in water is one…for me that works. Sucking on a piece of ginger, lemon, licorice, mint, or an ice chip may ease an upset stomach. Eating saltine crackers is another old fashion cure that my mom shared when I was pregnant. It worked with minimal success for me.
Drinking Seven-Up, ginger ale, taking over the counter Rolaids, Pepto Bismol, or Maalox, sipping hot tea, and lying down with your feet up are other possible upset stomach remedies that have been passed down by grandmas.
How scientific are any of these cures? When you have an upset stomach you are looking for a cure for nausea, not science. I say whatever safe and effective cure you find for an upset stomach is the best cure for you (just check with your doctor first for their expert advice).
Sources:
PhotoGirlStudio.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy-nausea/MY00224
http://www.medicinenet.com/motion_sickness/page4.htm
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-nausea-vomiting?page=2
