Stomach Flu: 5 Remedies To Treat Cramps, Diarrhea, And Other Symptoms
If you’ve ever had the stomach bug, you know how unpleasant it can be: Painful stomach cramps, uncontrollable diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms come along with viral gastroenteritis, the official name for the stomach flu. We've listed below five go-to remedies to ease your symptoms and bring relief.
The flu attacks your body by causing inflammation of your stomach and intestines. You can get the highly contagious virus by coming into contact with an infected person or surface, and ingesting contaminated food or water. Despite being able to contract it from food, it’s different than food poisoning, which is more common and affects about 1 in 6 Americans every year.
Read: Stomach Flu Symptoms 2016: Signs Of Virus And How To Treat
Although it’s referred to as a “flu,” a flu shot is not designed to protect against the bug. There’s also no antibiotic because they aren’t effective against viruses. Instead, treatment involves self-care measures to get yourself back into good health. These are some of the most common remedies, according to Mayo Clinic and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Take it easy. The virus will leave you feeling weak and tired. It’s important to relax and get some rest while you are sick to help your body fight off the infection.
Stay hydrated. Diarrhea and vomiting will drain your body of essential fluids. Stay hydrated by sucking on ice chips and drinking small sips of water, clear soda, clear broths, and noncaffeinated sports drinks.
Replace lost nutrients. While all of the fluids mentioned above are effective at helping you stay hydrated, they may not replace vital nutrients and minerals. Your best bet for this is to take an over-the-counter oral rehydration fluid like Pedialyte, which works to replace nutrients and electrolytes.
Watch what you eat and drink. If you’re not nauseous, try and eat bland foods like toast, bananas, and rice. Until you feel better, avoid eating dairy products, caffeine, and fatty or highly seasoned foods. Also avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they will both leave you feeling dehydrated.
Be cautious with medications. Avoid medications like Advil and Motrin because they can make your stomach more upset. If you insist on using them, take them sparingly, Mayo Clinic notes.
See also: Abdominal Pain Can Be A Sign Of These 5 Conditions, Depending On Location
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