Stomach Woes and What to Do

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I generally love the month of May.  Spring usually means great weather, I get to enjoy Mother’s Day, my birthday is celebrated and we usually try to get away as a family for a few days.  This year…not so much.  It seemed like every time I turned around some body was sick.  Mother’s Day and my birthday was spent with sick children resting in my arms.  We did get away for a few days, but after much anxiety due to waiting for an illness-free window of opportunity.  Then, to end the month we received a Quadruple Whammie—all four of us were sick at the same time.

It started off with me staying home while the grandparents took the kids to school because I was sick.  Then a phone call from school that my youngest had just let loose twice and needed to be taken home.  As we sat snuggled together in the bed moaning, my oldest son came home and within a few hours it was his turn.  My husband then came home from work and within a few hours, joy of joys….he got to join the party.

I immediately thought we must have eaten something bad, but within the last 48 hours none of us had eaten the same thing.  After a night of changing beds and cleaning up sick children, I called the doctor and yes….a nasty stomach “bug” was going around.  So then the question…how do I keep everyone hydrated and from not getting any worse? 

Well, they always suggest Pedi-Light…which should be called Pedi-Yuck…for the kids.  They hate it and I don’t know anyone who is able to get their kids to drink it.  They suggested Gator-aide…but water it down for the kids, because it is a little to potent for their little bodies.  Of course, “stay away from apple juice…is makes diarrhea worse”  Of course, that is the only thing my children will drink.  So, what really works?

I found a great article, Settling the Score on Settling Your Stomach.  Here is their advice:

Q. What’s the best liquid to drink to quell an upset stomach? Some of my friends swear by Coke. Others drink Sprite or 7-Up, because their doctors told them to drink “clear” liquids. But isn’t ginger ale better, because ginger is effective against nausea?

A. Yes, ginger has a folk reputation for calming an upset stomach, but that doesn’t mean ginger ale will do the trick. It’s unlikely to contain enough ginger to be effective, says Varro Tyler, Ph.D., dean of the School of Pharmacy at Purdue University and an herbal expert. A spokesperson for Cadbury Beverages, maker of Canada Dry Ginger Ale, told us, in fact, that the company uses ginger flavoring, not fresh ginger, in its product.

Asian cultures have long revered ginger as a digestive aid. German health authorities apparently agree, endorsing two to four grams of ginger a day as an aid to digestion and to help ease nausea.

Indeed, research has confirmed that ginger is effective against nausea in general and against nausea from motion sickness in particular. One study found its effectiveness superior to Dramamine. This has baffled researchers, however, since ginger does not affect the workings of the inner ear or central nervous system, both of which are involved in motion sickness. Its effects appear to be limited to the stomach, where it may interrupt nausea signals to the brain, perhaps by absorbing stomach acid.

But Tyler says you need a one-gram dose of ginger every few hours for effective relief. Ginger tea might contain enough to be helpful, he surmises, though exactly how much ginger is in a cup of ginger tea is anyone’s guess. Ginger capsules generally contain 500 milligrams each. Two capsules equal one dose. Then there’s candied ginger, readily available in Asian markets. It consists of ginger boiled in a sugar syrup, then allowed to crystallize. Tyler estimates a piece of candied ginger one-inch square and 1/4-inch thick is equivalent to a 500-milligram ginger capsule.

Just because ginger ale may not contain much or any ginger, however, doesn’t mean it won’t soothe your tummy. It is one of the “clear” liquids typically recommended by doctors. As a way to categorize easily digested foods, “clear” refers not to color, but to turbidity. Plain liquids are easier to digest than solids or even milk-based liquids, leaving no residue in the intestines. So cola or ginger ale or even chicken broth are just as restorative as Sprite or 7-Up.

Nausea is a subjective symptom that varies with each individual. What works for one person might not work for the next. Bruce Yaffe, M.D., a gastroenterologist practicing in New York City, says Coca-Cola syrup is a traditional southern remedy, though there’s no obvious reason it should work any better than other sugary liquids. In fact, too much sugar can distend the stomach because water is drawn into the stomach to dilute the sugar.

Yaffe also advises against carbonated drinks, as the resulting gas could similarly distend the stomach, causing further discomfort. The combination of these two pearls of wisdom is probably where the recommendation to drink flat Coke originated from. Our advice? Give ginger a try if you like. Otherwise, drink whatever makes you feel better, small amounts at a time.

The whole “clear liquid” terminology used to confuse me…ahh…now I get it.

I am happy to report, that as of today, we are all finally symptom free (knock-on-wood) and I hope a little more prepared, “gulp”, the next time.

So, do any of you have any sure fire home remedies that you swear by?