Home remedy for stomach ache and diarrhoea
Diarrhoea can have various causes and is often accompanied by painful intestinal cramps. A frequent cause of acute diarrhoea is gastrointestinal infections (infectious gastroenteritis), which patients can catch either as travel diarrhoea or as a seasonal disease in Germany. In most cases, these are viral diseases that can be treated purely symptomatically.
In this case it is important to balance the fluid and electrolyte balance (e.g. with lots of unsweetened tea and salt sticks). A hot water bottle or a hot bath can also relieve the abdominal cramps. Tablets against diarrhoea are only recommended to a limited extent in cases of diarrhoea caused by the pathogen, as the pathogen remains in the intestine for longer.
Even in cases of food poisoning, treatment is usually limited to symptomatic measures. An old household remedy against diarrhoea is grated, raw apple. The pectin it contains acts as a swelling agent in the intestine, which thickens the stool.
Carrot soup can also help against diarrhoea. In general, you should limit yourself to easily digestible foods, such as rusks, crispbread, banana, mashed potatoes, rice, noodles or low-fat meat (e.g. chicken soup). Avoid very fatty or sweet, strongly spiced or strongly flatulent foods (e.g. beans, lentils).
If the diarrhoea persists for several days, if fever or chills occur in addition, or if there is blood or mucus in the stool, a doctor should be consulted. A lack of bowel movement for several days can also cause stomach pain. Conventional laxatives can often cause a habituation effect and thus aggravate the problem in the long term without fighting the cause of constipation.
The cause is usually an excessively one-sided diet without sufficient fibre intake. Fibre should be part of every meal and is found mainly in fruit, vegetables and wholemeal products. Pulses also contain a particularly high amount of fibre.
Dried fruits such as prunes are slightly laxative and can help with constipation. Olive oil is also a tried and tested household remedy; one to two tablespoons before a meal can help against constipation. It is also important to ensure that you drink enough to prevent constipation.
Physical exercise can also help to get the bowel going. A long walk or light endurance sports are particularly suitable here. If you do not have a bowel movement for an unusually long time, and if you experience severe abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, you should always consult a doctor, as you may have an intestinal obstruction (ileus), which can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Home remedy for abdominal pain during menstruation
During their period, but also in the days before and during ovulation (about 14 days before the period) many women and girls suffer from abdominal pain. The cause of this is the rejection of the lining of the uterus, which is accompanied by contractions of the uterus. Cramps in the lower abdomen are the result.
The spectrum of symptoms ranges from a slight pulling in the lower abdomen to severe cramps where the women are unable to go to work. As women suffer from such complaints for a large part of their lives once a month, it is sensible to find effective household remedies for themselves so that they do not have to take painkillers regularly. In this case, warmth in the form of a hot water bottle or a warm bath helps many women.
Certain medicinal plants such as lemon balm, chamomile or goosefoot have an antispasmodic effect and, when drunk as tea throughout the day, can help relieve the symptoms. However, caffeine and nicotine should be avoided during menstruation. Exercise can be effective against menstrual pain, as it relieves cramps and improves mood.
Endurance sports such as jogging, cycling or swimming are particularly suitable. Certain gymnastic exercises for the back and pelvis can also be effective against menstrual pain.
