Treating the Stomach Bug

21 hours ago
4 min read

Last week we were hit with the stomach bug, and O M G was it the absolute worst!!! I thought I was knocking on deaths door. The following is NOT medical advice, but what we did/would consider in the future.

Understanding Sypmtoms

Before diving into any sort of natural treatment it’s important to understand the symptoms, because there’s always a reason.

diarrhea and vomiting

Diarrhea and vomiting are the two most tell-tale symptoms. They are NOT fun, but they are protective mechanisms the body uses to get rid of the infection. When pathogens irritate the digestive tract, this is the body’s way of expelling them.

Vomiting helps empty the stomach of contaminated contents, while diarrhea speeds up movement through the intestines to flush the germs and their toxins out of the body. These are signs that the body is actively working to remove the illness and protect itself!

abdominal pain & cramping

Abdominal pain and cramping is also another protective mechanism. When pathogens irritate the stomach lining and intestines, the immune system triggers inflammation and the intestinal muscles cramp to help move the contents of the gut along faster so that the body can push out the pathogens through vomiting or diarrhea. This is a sign that the digestive tract is working hard to clear the infection and restore balance.

fever

If the stomach bug is accompanied by a fever this is the body’s way of creating a less favorable environment for the pathogens to survive and replicate. A higher temperature also helps immune cells work more efficiently as they fight the infection. $10 off my fever guide

So what're we doing to treat these symptoms? Here's what we did...

PREVENTION IF EXPOSED

As soon as my husband’s symptoms started I went to the store and grabbed grape juice. We love anecdotal evidence in this home. And I will say, my daughter is the only one that drank it, and she’s the only one that didn’t get sick 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

The suggested remedy is 1-3 8oz glasses daily after exposure.

HYDRATION

Next, we want to focus on staying hydrated. While the vomiting and diarrhea are protective, excessive fluid loss without proper fluid intake can lead to quick dehydration. Stick to small sips to avoid further irritation.

Some form of glucose is good in an electrolyte, especially during the stomach bug, because it helps transport water into the body faster. The enzyme in the digestive tract that moves sodium into the body needs glucose to work. However, options like Gatorade (31g ADDED sugar!!!) can pull more water into the gut and worsen symptoms. Instead we did diluted apple juice with sea salt and cream of tar tar. Or you could add a little honey to some water.

Our DIY electrolyte:

diluted juice

pinch of sea salt

1/8tsp cream of tar tar

(high in potassium)

If your kiddo needs a little incentive don’t hesitate to whip out the popsicles. GoodPop is a good brand.

BIND THE TOXINS WITH CHARCOAL

Vomiting and diarrhea are protective mechanisms to expel pathogens from the digestive tract. However, if they become excessive, dehydration becomes a concern. My husband and I reached this point. Thankfully my son didn’t.

The two of us took activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is very porous and can bind toxins and irritants in the gut so they pass through the intestines and are eliminated vs being absorbed.

Supreme Nutrition Charcoal

Integrative Theraputics Charcoal

Mild dehydration can typically be treated at home with electrolytes (or breastfeeding/formula for babies). Give slowly at first (1-2 sips at a time), especially if the dehydration is from vomiting or diarrhea. This will reduce the risk of further irritation. Severe dehydration is considered a medical emergency, especially in babies.

HOMEOPATHY

Homeopathy works best when you match specific symptoms. Here’s of the top options for stomach bug:

DETOX BATHS

Detox baths can be supportive because they help the body relax, improve circulation, ease body aches or abdominal cramping, and promote toxin release. They help put the nervous system into a parasympathetic “rest and digest” mode.

However, hot baths can also increase sweating and potentially contribute to dehydration, which is already a risk when you’re vomiting or having diarrhea. Because of this, it’s important to be mindful, keep baths warm rather than hot, and stay hydrated. For many people, a detox bath may be more helpful once the worse of the stomach bug has passed and body is in the recovery phase.

Options to consider:

1-2 c epsom salt

1/2-1c baking soda

1/2-1 c bentonite clay

1-2 c ACV

A popular and easy combo:

1 c epsom salt

1 c baking soda

1/2 c bentonite clay or 1/2 c ACV

FOLLOW THE BODY’S LEAD ON FOOD

Losing your appetite when you’re sick is normal and helps your body conserve energy so it can focus on immune activity instead of digestion. It also helps limit the amount of food moving through an already irritated digestive tract. If you/your child don’t have an appetite don’t force food. Instead focus on hydration with electrolytes, or bone broth is a great option too.

When appetite does slowly start to return, take it easy, follow your body’s lead, and add in manageable nutrients where possible.

For me, the only thing that sounded appetizing was those nasty ramen packets. I made it with bone broth and only used half the packet of seasoning, and I will feel ZERO guilt for it. Lol!

LUMEBOX

Not an absolute necessity, but I used this multiple times on my stomach and back (my daughter wasn’t affected, but she always likes to get in on the action as seen here lol).

$260 off