How to relieve abdominal cramps?
Do you often have abdominal cramps? Abdominal cramps can be very painful and these stomach aches can have several causes. You may, for example, suffer from gastroenteritis or constipation. It’s even possible that your abdominal pain is caused by stress or even hiccups!
It’s never nice to have a stomach ache, but luckily there are ways to prevent abdominal cramps as well as relieve them. Here are some tips and tricks against stomach cramps.
1. Abdominal cramps? Take deep breaths!
Did you know that stress can cause cramps and other ailments? So if your abdominal cramps are caused by stress, deep breathing will allow you to relax and relieve the organs of your belly and your abdominal muscles.
Here are the steps to take deep, deep breaths:
- Inhale slowly through your nose, counting to 4
- Hold your breath for a count of 4
- Then exhale through your mouth, still counting to 4
2. To prevent cramps, avoid overeating or eating too quickly
The way you eat can actually affect your health. Indeed, the simple fact of overeating, or eating too quickly, can cause nasty abdominal cramps.
To prevent stomach cramps, try to reduce your portions, and take the time to chew each bite well.
3. Avoid Alcohol and Carbonated Drinks to Avoid Abdominal Cramps
Too much alcohol or sugary carbonated drinks can lead to unpleasant abdominal cramps. It is better to drink:
- some water
- tea
- unsweetened juices
- herbal teas
Contrary to popular belief, soft drinks are not suitable for treating stomach cramps. So prefer water to soda!
4. To prevent stomach aches, avoid acidic, fatty foods and dairy products
Fatty foods can lead to abdominal cramps. Try to eat good foods and forget processed foods and « fast food », acidic foods if you are prone to acid reflux.
You may also be lactose intolerant. If every time you drink milk or eat ice cream you feel discomfort in your digestive system, you may be intolerant. Opt for lactose-free products instead.
5. A short walk to calm abdominal cramps
Walking might ease your cramps, especially if you suffer from indigestion. Walking activates digestion as well as intestinal transit if you suffer from constipation. Also, walking will help if your abdominal cramps are caused by stress.
However, if your cramps are muscular, rest instead to quickly feel better.
6. Heat to soothe stomach cramps
Are you suffering from abdominal cramps and wondering what to do? Heat can help with abdominal cramps. Make yourself comfortable and place a hot water bottle or heating pad on your stomach.
A little trick that will quickly relieve your stomach cramps, or your uterine cramps. Otherwise, a nice hot bath, or a shower, will allow you to relax and relax your abdominal muscles.
So to quickly relieve an abdominal cramp prefer hot rather than cold.
7. What to do for abdominal cramps?
If you suffer from abdominal cramps caused by your period or if it is muscle pain, take a painkiller. Acetaminophen as well as ibuprofen can bring you relief fairly quickly.
But be careful, do not abuse it! Indeed, and particularly in the case of ibuprofen, it can cause heartburn if you take too much.
8. Natural remedies for abdominal cramps
If you are looking for natural remedies for abdominal cramps, know that there are plants to relieve you. Here are some herbal teas that will help you fight stomachaches, depending on the cause:
Fennel seed:
Fennel seed is recognized as an antispasmodic. It will therefore be useful in relieving stomach cramps and will help if you have gas. Moreover, this plant is recommended to help babies with colic.
The marshmallow:
Be careful, we are not talking about sweets here! It is rather the plant, which is used in herbal tea for its laxative effects. It will therefore be your ally if you suffer from constipation.
Peppermint:
Whether you suffer from indigestion, bloating or cramps, a peppermint tea will relieve your symptoms. It is indeed the perfect plant for almost all your digestive problems!
Ginger:
The virtues of ginger for digestion problems are well known. In addition to relieving nausea, ginger can help if you suffer from bloating, gas, and cramps. You can use ginger root either as an infusion, as a tincture, or even chew small fresh pieces.
Probiotics:
If you regularly have gastric problems accompanied by diarrhea, it would be recommended to take probiotics in order to restore your intestinal flora. It is found in the form of capsules in pharmacies, but more and more food products contain it: yogurts, juices, etc. However, in order to eliminate any serious medical cause, speak with your doctor if this problem is recurring and before undertaking a cure with probiotics.
Do you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome? A German chamomile tea can provide relief. Indeed, this plant has antispasmodic properties and also helps to facilitate digestion.
In addition, chamomile has calming effects that can help you with stress or insomnia. German chamomile is also suggested in case of colic in infants.
Whether you suffer from painful periods or digestive problems, green clay can help you with stomach cramps. Just make a cold poultice that you apply to your stomach for 2 or 3 hours.
You will find it already ready to use, or in powder form to which you will only have to add a little water to make a thick paste.