What is the best remedy for stomach flu?
What is the best home remedy for stomach flu?
- Drink fluids. When battling the stomach flu, your number one priority is staying hydrated. ...
- Replenish electrolytes. Besides dehydration, diarrhea can cause a significant loss of electrolytes, throwing the body’s electrolytes off-balance.
- Eat small meals. ...
- Avoid irritating foods and drinks. ...
- Avoid certain medications. ...
- Rest. ...
- Practice good hygiene. ...
What medicine to take for a stomach flu?
“Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is often recommended for the stomach flu, unless you have liver disease,” Dr. Sonpal notes, since it relieves aches, has fewer side effects than ibuprofen, and is less...
What foods can I eat when I have the flu?
Lean choices include:
- skinless, white meat cuts of chicken and turkey
- extra-lean ground chicken, turkey, and beef
- low-fat cold cuts (lunch meat), such as chicken, turkey, and ham
- extra-lean cuts of beef, such as top sirloin and eye of round steak
- pork chops with the fat trimmed off
What to do when I have a stomach flu?
- Touch a surface and come in contact with the germs and you touch food or your mouth.
- Eat or drink food or beverages that have a sick person’s germs.
- Have close contact with someone who has stomach flu (even if they have no symptoms).
Are eggs good for stomach flu?
Eggs are easy on your stomach and rich in protein and other nutrients, making them a great option when you're sick with the stomach flu.
What is the quickest way to get rid of a stomach bug?
There is no real cure for a stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis) because it is caused by a virus. Most people don't need medical treatment and symptoms will go away on their own within a few days, though in some people symptoms may last up to 10 days.
Can I eat normally with a stomach bug?
You may start eating soft bland foods when you have not vomited for several hours and are able to drink clear liquids without further upset. Soda crackers, toast, plain noodles, gelatin, eggs, applesauce, and bananas are good first choices.
What helps settle a stomach bug?
over-the-counter preparations like Pedialyte (good choice for any age) sports drinks, which can help with electrolyte replacement (this should be reserved for older children and adults) certain teas, such as ginger and peppermint, which can help calm your stomach and alleviate nausea (avoid highly caffeinated teas)
Is Ginger Ale Good for stomach flu?
The bottom line. Ginger root has a long history of relieving nausea. Unfortunately, commercial ginger ale just doesn't contain much ginger and is unlikely to help. Be wary: Carbonation, sugar, and artificial sweeteners may actually worsen your symptoms.
Is Gatorade Good for stomach flu?
During an illness involving vomiting and diarrhea, it is important to prevent dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids in small sips until the stomach is settled and then in larger amounts until your thirst is satisfied. Clear liquids are the best. Water, Gatorade, Sprite, 7-Up, and Ginger Ale are suggested.
Is chicken soup good for stomach flu?
After an upset stomach, you may be dehydrated and need something comforting and light. Broth-based soups, especially chicken soup, are great for replenishing your body with the fluids and salt it needs.
Can you put butter on toast for BRAT diet?
Toast. Toast, aka the T in the BRAT diet, is very easily digested and will not make your tummy rumble any more than necessary. Toast also refrains from causing acid reflux. Make sure not to top your toast with peanut butter, avocado or very much butter, however — the key is to keep it bland and easy to digest.
Is yogurt good for stomach flu?
Yogurt: Since dairy products are less bland than any of the BRAT foods, they might be more tough on your stomach. However, if you can tolerate yogurt, it might be good for your stomach, especially if it contains probiotics, which help with digestion. Plus, yogurt contains fluid, which helps to stay hydrated.
How long does a stomach flu last?
Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptoms may appear within 1-3 days after you're infected and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms usually last just a day or two, but occasionally they may last up to 14 days.
How long are you contagious with a tummy bug?
Although you typically feel better after a day or two, you're contagious for a few days after you recover. The virus can remain in your stool for up to two weeks or more after recovery. Children should stay home from school or child care for at least 48 hours after the last time they vomit or have diarrhea.
What foods to avoid if you have gastroenteritis?
Foods and drinks to avoidFruit juices that contain a lot of sugar and fruit drinks.Sports drinks such as Gatorade.Soft or carbonated drinks.Caffeinated drinks.Broths and canned or packaged soups.Fried foods or those rich in fat (delicatessen, potato chips, French fries, pastries)More items...•
How long does stomach bug last?
Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptoms may appear within 1-3 days after you're infected and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms usually last just a day or two, but occasionally they may last up to 14 days.
How do you get rid of a 24 hour stomach bug?
How to treat the 24-hour flu at homeDrink plenty of fluids to replace the fluids lost from diarrhea and vomiting. ... Eat plain or bland foods that are less likely to irritate your stomach. ... Rest up. ... Use an over-the-counter (OTC) anti-vomiting or anti-diarrheal medication.More items...•
How long are you contagious with stomach bug?
Although you typically feel better after a day or two, you're contagious for a few days after you recover. The virus can remain in your stool for up to two weeks or more after recovery. Children should stay home from school or child care for at least 48 hours after the last time they vomit or have diarrhea.
What are the stages of the stomach flu?
The initial stages start with chills, fever, and nausea, which transition into vomiting, diarrhea, and aches and pains. It's awful, and there is no cure. Stomach flu has to run its course. The sickness usually passes in about 10 days without medication.
How to get better with stomach flu?
Other ways to feel better. To help treat stomach flu, a person should try to concentrate on consuming fluids to avoid dehydration. However, there are some other methods that may help. The sections below will look at these in more detail.
How to rehydrate your body after stomach flu?
Oral rehydration solutions, which contain glucose and electrolytes, are another good way of rehydrating the body if it has lost liquids due to stomach flu. at home, boil 1 liter of water, add half a small spoon of salt and six level small spoons of sugar, and dissolve.
What foods can cause stomach flu?
cream of wheat. tofu. lean meats, such as skinless chicken or fish. bland, cooked vegetables, such as: beets. beans. spinach. carrots. If cooking these foods, a person should be careful when frying them in fats such as butter or oil, as this can worsen stomach flu symptoms.
What is bland diet?
According to one article. Trusted Source. , a bland diet consists of easily digestible foods that do not put a strain on the stomach. They recommend following a bland diet for or following stomach flu and several other conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract. A bland diet can include: low fat dairy products.
What is the stomach flu?
Doctors refer to stomach flu as viral gastroenteritis. Norovirus is the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis. Here are 33 foods and drinks that a person can consume to help their recovery if they have stomach flu. Read on to learn more about some other ways to feel better and when to contact a doctor. 1–13.
Can you eat bread with stomach flu?
Summary. Stomach flu can make eating and drinking less appealing. However, it is most important for a person to keep drinking fluids to help prevent dehydration. When ready for food, a person should eat bland foods such as bread, bananas, applesauce, and cooked starches.
Can you eat a bland diet with diarrhea?
According to the Oncology Nursing Society, doctors often recommend the BRAT diet for adults and children with upset stomachs or diarrhea. A person can ease into a bland diet as they feel ready for food. Generally, with the BRAT diet, a person can incorporate additional foods back into their diet as they feel better.
What to eat when you are vomiting?
Eat complex carbohydrates. Potatoes and whole grains (think rice and toast) are your best choices to help replace nutrients you may have lost while vomiting or too many trips to the bathroom. Try lean meats without too much spice or condiments, which can upset your stomach more (think chicken and fish).
How to avoid the flu?
Avoid these when you have the flu 1 Skip your daily coffee: Avoid your cup of joe and favorite caffeinated soda (this includes cola beverages) for a one week. Caffeine contracts your intestines, which can make diarrhea worse, Dr. Lipold notes. 2 Avoid alcohol altogether: Alcoholic beverages act as a diuretic and can aggravate your stomach even more. 3 Don’t eat hard-to-digest foods: When you have the stomach flu steer clear of fatty, greasy, spicy and acidic foods. Dairy and tomato-based dishes are also tough on a sick gut. 4 Never force yourself to eat: If you don’t feel like eating, don’t push your body. “Try to focus on recovering, rest and staying hydrated,” Dr. Lipold says. 5 Avoid juices: Apple, orange, or any other juices won’t do you much good.
How to get rid of diarrhea in one week?
Skip your daily coffee: Avoid your cup of joe and favorite caffeinated soda (this includes cola beverages) for a one week. Caffeine contracts your intestines, which can make diarrhea worse, Dr. Lipold notes. Avoid alcohol altogether: Alcoholic beverages act as a diuretic and can aggravate your stomach even more.
What to drink to avoid diarrhea?
Water, clear soda (stir it well to release more carbonation), herbal decaffeinated tea, broth or over-the-counter electrolyte replacements are great ways to avoid dehydration when you have a stomach flu with frequent diarrhea or vomiting. Advertising Policy.
Can you eat if you have the stomach flu?
Struggling to keep anything down — or in? If you’ve been hit by the stomach flu — otherwise known as viral gastroenteritis (and an entirely different beast from the common flu, or influenza) — you probably won’t feel like eating or drinking much.
How much water is needed for stomach flu?
JW: Adult bodies are 60 to 65 percent water, so dehydration is an issue for anyone with the stomach flu. But it's an even bigger concern for babies and small children because their bodies contain an even greater percentage of water than adults — about 70 to 75 percent — and they can't always tell you if they're feeling thirsty or dehydrated. Older adults are also more prone to dehydration since they may be taking medicines that are dehydrating, might forget to drink enough or they might limit their fluid intake to cut down on trips to the bathroom.
What is the term for a stomach bug?
While people often refer to symptoms like nausea, cramping, vomiting and diarrhea as the stomach flu or a stomach bug, the official term is gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines, often caused by different viruses.
Is it hard to recover from stomach flu?
JW: This can be hard, because when you're feeling sick, sometimes the last thing you want to think about is eating. But eating can help replenish your energy and what you've lost. The best foods for stomach flu recovery are the ones that can provide your body with what it's missing and are easy to digest during recovery.
What is the stomach flu?
We tend to use the word “flu” to describe any gastrointestinal symptoms involving an upset stomach or throwing up. However, it technically refers to an intestinal infection called “viral gastroenteritis.” According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common symptoms are watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting, and occasional fever.
What foods should you avoid when you have the stomach flu?
Before we get into what to eat when you have the stomach flu, let’s talk about the foods and beverages you should avoid. Here are a few examples, courtesy of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Cleveland Clinic, and the Mayo Clinic:
What should you eat when you have the stomach flu?
If you grew up in a household where you were told to or forced to eat every meal, you may assume you should eat no matter the circumstances. And that might be something you require of your own kids now. But it’s definitely not something to adhere to if someone has the stomach flu or an upset stomach.
What foods can help with stomach flu?
Eat fruits which are full of water and are less acidic like watermelon, figs, cantaloupes, papaya, peaches, berries and mangoes.
What is the best treatment for stomach flu?
3. Rice or rice water. Stomach flu often leaves the body dehydrated. Both rice and rice water contain a lot of nutrients that help rehydrate the body and replenish essential minerals. They also aid the lining of the stomach and help settle vomiting and decrease stool output.
How long does it take for stomach flu to subside?
Stomach flu is caused by viruses like Norovirus while food poisoning is caused by a wide range of bacteria, viruses or other pathogens. The prior takes up to 10 days to subside while the latter clears up within hours or a few days.
What is the stomach flu?
Stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis, is the infection of the stomach and intestines caused by viruses. People often confuse stomach flu with food poisoning. Though the symptoms (diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and stomach pain) of both the conditions are almost the same, both are different in many aspects.
Why do you eat ice chips when you have the flu?
When stomach flu gets too hard to handle, suck on some ice chips as they help provide the body with the water it needs without overloading the stomach with fluids . Ice chips are a great way to start when you have dehydration due to the condition.
What is the best water for diarrhoea?
Coconut water. Coconut water is an excellent rehydrating solution to treat mild symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting. For early stage of stomach flu, coconut water is beneficial in replenishing the lost water in the body. [6] What to do: Drink coconut water every morning in an empty stomach. 11.
How to fight off infection with garlic?
Garlic contains a compound called allicin that helps boost the ability of white blood cells to effectively fight off infections. Regular consumption of garlic is known to reduce the symptoms and the severity of the infection. [3] What to do: Crush 2-3 cloves of garlic and consume with honey daily.
What to eat when you have nausea?
Foods to eat include clear broths, crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas, rice and chicken. Avoid certain foods until you feel better.
How to get rid of viral gastroenteritis?
I recommend these tips for fueling your body when you have viral gastroenteritis: 1 Let your stomach settle.#N#Avoid solid foods for a few hours, and stick with liquids. 2 Hydrate.#N#Try drinking clear soda or broths, or noncaffeinated sports drinks in small, but frequent, amounts to stay hydrated. 3 Ease back into eating.#N#Gradually incorporate bland, easy-to-digest foods into your system, but be sure to back off if your nausea returns. Foods to eat include clear broths, crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas, rice and chicken. 4 Avoid certain foods until you feel better.#N#These foods include dairy products, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, processed foods, and fatty, spicy or highly seasoned foods. 5 Be cautious with medications.#N#It’s best to use medications, such as ibuprofen, with food and sparingly, if at all, as they can cause an upset stomach. As always, discuss your medications with your health care provider to avoid any potential side effects.
How to get rid of nausea after eating?
Let your stomach settle. Avoid solid foods for a few hours, and stick with liquids. Hydrate. Try drinking clear soda or broths, or noncaffeinated sports drinks in small, but frequent, amounts to stay hydrat ed. Ease back into eating. Gradually incorporate bland, easy-to-digest foods into your system, but be sure to back off if your nausea returns.
Can ibuprofen cause an upset stomach?
It’s best to use medications, such as ibuprofen, with food and sparingly, if at all, as they can cause an upset stomach. As always, discuss your medications with your health care provider to avoid any potential side effects. The main complication of a stomach bug is dehydration ― a severe loss of water, and essential salts and minerals.
What foods help with stomach flu?
As your digestion continues to improve, gelatin, cooked egg whites and lean meats supply you with protein to further support your recovery from stomach flu.
What is the stomach flu?
Stomach flu, known medically as viral gastroenteritis, occurs when specific viruses attack your gastrointestinal tract. This type of viral infection inflames the lining of your stomach and intestines, resulting in bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. During this assault on your digestive system, you might not only miss out on consuming vital nutrients ...
What is the most common cause of stomach flu in children?
For example, rotavirus most commonly causes stomach flu in children, while norovirus is a frequent cause of viral gastroenteritis in adults, reports the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Other viruses responsible for stomach flu include adenovirus, astrovirus and sapovirus.
What to eat for breakfast if you have a swollen stomach?
Good choices for breakfast foods include dry toast, crackers, rice, bananas and applesauce. These starchy foods are gentle on your digestive system and provide electrolytes and calories.
How long does stomach flu last?
In addition to vomiting and diarrhea, you might also experience abdominal cramps, headache and fever for the duration of your illness, which can last between one and 10 days.
What is the greatest danger of stomach flu?
The greatest danger of stomach flu is dehydration and loss of electrolytes; however, you can mitigate the risk with the choice of liquids and solids you consume at breakfast and throughout the day. Advertisement.
Can caffeine cause gastroenteritis?
In addition, both alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate your body and are contraindicated with viral gastroenteritis. If the breakfast foods you eat as you progress through recovery make your digestive symptoms worse, revert to blander foods and liquids until your symptoms improve. Advertisement.
What fruits can you eat to help with the flu?
Consider snacking on vitamin C–rich fruits while you have the flu. Some fruits high in vitamin C include strawberries, tomatoes, and citrus fruits. 6. Leafy greens . Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens can also help boost your immune system when you have the flu.
What is the best food for a sick person?
Oatmeal. When you’re sick, a hot bowl of oatmeal can be a soothing, nutritious food choice. Oatmeal, like other whole grains, is also a natural source of immune-boosting vitamin E. It also contains polyphenol antioxidants as well as immune-strengthening beta-glucan fiber.
What are some good foods to boost your immune system?
It’s best to eat these immune-boosting foods throughout the duration of your illness. 7. Broccoli.
How long does it take to get over the flu?
While the worst of the symptoms may be gone after five days, it can take one to two weeks to get over the flu entirely. Your recovery may take even longer if you develop a secondary infection from the flu.
What is the best medicine for a fever in a baby?
You can also: Administer an over-the-counter pain reliever for aches and fever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB). Just be sure to check the dosage amount, and choose a baby or child version if appropriate for your child’s age and weight.
What is the best drink to drink to detox your body?
When it comes to hydrating beverages, water still ranks number one. It also acts as a natural detox for your body. If you aren’t a fan of water or are looking for something with more flavor, you can also drink: 1 broth 2 ginger tea 3 herbal tea with honey 4 honey and lemon tea (mix equal parts with hot water) 5 100 percent juices (look for products without added sugars)
What is the purpose of food in the body?
Food is what gives your body the energy and nutrients it needs to function . Such effects are equally vital when you have the flu. Still, it’s all about eating the right foods for your condition.