A stomach ache is quite literally an ache in the stomach that can be accompanied by heartburn, indigestion, excess gas and wind. There are two kinds of stomach problems. Temporary stomach aches are usually not serious and tend to be caused by food or by a common virus such as the flu. The other type is a chronic, long-term upset stomach and can be a symptom of a fairly serious condition.
Short term stomach aches are normally caused by the following:
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Upper abdominal pain (above the navel)
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Gas
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Nausea (with or without vomiting)
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Abdominal bloating (the sensation of abdominal fullness without objective distention)
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Early satiety (the sensation of fullness after a very small amount of food)
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Abdominal swelling
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Irregular bowel movements
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Constipation
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Homeopathy has been traditionally used to relieve the symptoms of stomach aches. The homeopathic remedy Arsen alb treats anxiety that results in stomach upsets as well as symptoms of food poisoning including vomiting and diarrhea. The remedies Nux vom and Carbo veg relieve heartburn, discomfort and excess gas and Lycopodium helps with tiredness and bloating after eating.
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Avoid foods and other things that you know give you indigestion such as spicy, fatty and citrus foods. If you don’t know what causes it, try keeping a food diary.
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Avoid alcohol.
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Avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks.
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Try to eat at least two or three hours before lying down or going to bed.
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Stop smoking as this will improve your indigestion and overall health.
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Eat your food slowly and chew thoroughly to aid your digestion.
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Manage your stress level.
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If you’re carrying a few extra pounds, try and lose some weight.
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Watch the portion sizes of your meals as the more you eat, the more stomach acid you produce.
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Peppermint in tea or tablet form contains menthol and has an antispasmodic effect on the digestive tract, helping relieve gas and stomach cramps.
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Chamomile in tea or tablet form has antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and gas relieving effects.
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Ginger in tea or tablet form relieves gas and reduces bloating and pain.
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If applied to the stomach, Aloe Vera gel can help soothe the discomfort.
Recurrent tummy ache is very common in childhood, affecting 10% to 15% of school-aged children. Usually, children’s tummy aches are due to an infection such as a common cold. However, here are some other reasons:
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Stress - A complaint of tummy ache is often one way children express stress and worry, or sometimes even deep unhappiness. The clue to this is that the child may be perfectly well between sporadic stomach complaints. Look for patterns in the child’s symptoms and gently ask questions to see if there are problems at school.
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Migraine – Migraine in children classically causes abdominal symptoms rather than a headache. Often migraine begins as car sickness at the age of six or seven. It leads to episodes of tummy ache, before causing more typical headaches as the child reaches puberty.
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Food sensitivity - It can be difficult to track down food sensitivities. Think about whether this could be a real problem, then monitor your child's diet to look for a pattern that matches her symptoms. Try food sensitivity testing if you are unsure.
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If stomach ache persists, or if there are worrying symptoms such as an accompanying fever, take your child to see the doctor immediately.
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