6 best natural remedies for stomach bug [that are kid friendly]
Stomach bug or stomach flu is caused by a virus that is contracted through contaminated food and water, surfaces, and utensils. This infection causes inflammation of the intestinal walls.
It is a high contagious infection that is easily spread around in the family, commiunity, etc. This is why frequent hand washing is recommended.
Children and babies are susceptible to contacting this dideases from their environment and dehydration is the most dangerous consequnce that parents have to guards against.
Common symptoms include watery diarrrhea, vomitting, fever, stomach cramps, fatigue etc. Stomach bug usually peaks in the first 24-48 hours. After then the worst is over but you still need to be cautious and take care of yourself so that you can recover properly.
Is it stomach bug or food poisoning
stomach bug and food poisonings are often mistaken for eachother by the general population which inlcudes us because they have very similar symptoms.
The differentiating symptoms between them is that stomach bugs comes often with headches and body aches while food poisoning causes loss of apetite and fatigue. Also, foood poisoning begins few hours after eating contaminated food while stomach bug can take 2 days to incubate
Remember during stomach bug, loss of appetite is not expected but you will not be able to keep food down in your stomach for the first 2-4 days but with food poisoning, loos of appetite is certain.
Stomach bug is one of those conditions that has to run its course. It has no direct cure but there are things that you can do to support your body and hasten recovery while you are down with the virus.
How to treat stomach bug/stomach flu
hydration
Staying hydrated is very important when treating stomach bug because water and electrolytes are constantly being lost through diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, etc.
Hydration here should not be limited to water but also safe fruit juices (more on that under foods to eat), bland soups e.g chicken soup, coconut water, etc.
This basic oral hydration solution is very effective in hydrating a person and preventing dehydration. Simply Get a clean liter of water, add 6 leveled teaspoons of sugar in it, and half a teaspoon of salt preferably sea salt. You can add a tablespoon of honey if you wish. Mix well and let it be your drinking water throughout your recovery.
rest well
The body needs time to recover and repair properly considering that the best remedy is to wait it out. Do your best to rest well and avoid all kinds of stress both physical and emotional.
With adequate sleep, rest, diet and natural remedies, you will be able to get well faster and shorten the duration of the body’s recovery.
Avoid vomitting, diarrhea & fever remedies
Diarrhea and vomiting are one of the most worrying symptoms of a stomach bug. However, it is important that you let your body flush out the toxins and increase the body tempreture to kill it.
This will hasten your recovery or your child’s recovery because as stated earllier, stomach bug has to fixed by the body so please do not hinder the body’s mechanism by taking remedies that will keep the virus in the body.
Foods To eat
One of the first things you need to do when you come down with a stomach bug is to suspend all of your usual solid foods. The foods you will be eating until you recover will be simple foods such as:
- Plain toast,
- Plain black tea no sugar,
- Bananas,
- Papaya
- Plain rice and soup
- Boiled carrots
- Apples
- Boiled potatoes
Until you recover, avoid all of the following:
- Sugar and sugary foods
- Processed foods
- Diary
- Caffeine and sodas
- Fruits unless mentioned above especially citrus fruits
- Vegetables unless menyioned above
- Spicy foods
- Oily and fatty foods
Grape juice
Grape juice is often used for stomach bugs particularly for prevention. You will find hundreds of positive online reviews about using grape juice for stomach bugs prevention. It contains vitamin C which is an immune booster, antioxidants, improves digestion, etc.
It might not be very effective for the condition, but to prevent it from spreading, those taking care of you should be taking a cup of the juice 2-3 times in a day until you are well recovered
Honey
Honey is of thoe cures that most of us have in your pantry or health cupboard. Honey’s antibaterial and antimicrobial property fastens healing in gastrointestinal infections including stomach flu and diarrhea.
Add a tablespoon of honey to half a cup of water or more if you wish and sip it gradually. Do noty rush
CONCLUSION
Stomach bug recovery should not be rushed and those living around you need to wash their hands often and not to share utensils, food, and other items to avoid spreading it. Disinfect surfaces and avoid eating unwashed foods, undercooked foods, or raw foods for further prevention.
It is advised that you try to avoid harm remedies such as gatorade which contain harmful ingrediaents including heavy metals. the oral hydrationdescribed above will work just as well for you or your child.
In most cases, a stomach bug can go away in 4-5 days or less than a week. If your symptoms persist for more than 2 days, you need to see a doctor ASAP.
When treating it at home as you usually should, the above remedies will be all you need for fast recovery
I wish you the best. Have a nice day.
