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DESCRIPTION
Acute abdominal pain is not always due to a serious disease. Problems are often caused by food that is hard to digest or that is spoiled. Even mental stress can be felt in the stomach. For a child with a tummy ache, a gentle abdominal massage and some warm herbal tea - along with a little tender attention - may bring relief. However, if the pain is severe, persists over several hours or is accompanied by diarrhea or vomiting, it may be a more serious condition. If the abdomen is hard, tight, and swollen, appendicitis may be present. Other culprits could be bacteria, viruses, worms or other parasitic infestation, or gastrointestinal tumors. Gallstones and infections of the bladder, kidney or ovaries can also cause severe, often colicky pain. In most cases, naturopathy offers effective treatments.
MoonDragon's Pediatric Information: Tummy Aches
HOLISTIC OPTIONS
A Naturopathic health care practitioner can determine the cause of chronic abdominal pain and can offer various forms of natural treatment. He or she may suggest ingesting some medicinal plant (herbal therapy) or applying gentle abdominal massages with essential oils and compresses to help relieve cramps. Enemas and fasting are often recommended to relieve the burden on digestive organs. Homeopathic treatments include aromatherapy, acupressure and herbs.
For any abdominal pain that becomes a serious problem or is not relieved by simple means as those given here, you will need to be evaluated by your health care provider and tests may need to be performed to diagnose your condition. If pain becomes acute (sharp and very intense), go to your emergency room for evaluation and treatment. It can be serious and possibly life-threatening in some cases.
PROTECTIVE STOMACH TEAS
You can generally depend on chamomile tea to work miracles when you suffer from abdominal pain. Use 1 teaspoon of Chamomile Flowers per cup. Drink 2 to 3 cups daily. Caution: If you have allergies to ragweed, you should use caution consuming chamomile tea. It may cause an allergic reaction in some sensitive individuals.
Prepare strong chamomile tea using 1 heaping tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers or 2 tea bags per cup of hot water. To cleanse the abdominal organs, drink the tea in the morning before breakfast and then lie for 5 minutes each on the left side, the abdomen, the right side and the back.
A tasty tea can be made by combining about these ingredients:
1 Ounce Fennel Seeds
1 Ounce Peppermint Leaves
1 Ounce Lemon-Balm Leaves
1 Ounce Bitter Orange Peel
Mix well in a blender to make a homogenous blend of herbs. Use 1 teaspoon of blend per cup of hot water. Drink 2-3 cups daily. The mixture is also helpful and very suitable for children.
FENNEL ESSENTIAL OIL
A gentle massage on the abdomen with fennel oil is especially helpful for children. Mix 4-5 drops of the calming Fennel Oil with 1 teaspoon of massage oil, such as Jojoba Oil. While applying light pressure, massage the abdomen in a circular motion. Move your hands in a clockwise direction with little pressure while speaking softly to the child. Mint Oil may be substituted for Fennel Oil.
ACUPRESSURE
The Abdomen-36 also called Stomach-36 (ST:36) acupressure point may be stimulated to relieve abdominal pain. This point is called Zusanli (The Leg Three miles; Longevity Point). To find the point, place your palms on both kneecaps. Use your ring fingers to press the bony protrusions to the side of the head of the tibia (shin bone) about 3 body-inches below the lower edge of the knee cap. Forcefully massage the area just below it on both legs. This point increases energy. Chinese foot soldiers used to halt every three miles and massage ST-36 for renewed energy. It restores and builds energy in the stomach and spleen. It strengthens the stomach and improves digestion. It is indicated for all digestive disturbances including gas, bloating, nausea, diarrhea and constipation. It alleviates gastric discomfort, pain, distension, coldness and numbness in the legs. It is used for knee & leg pain and tension.
Extra Tip - Repeated abdominal pain can also be related to a slight misalignment of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. Correcting the posture with physical therapy or a back brace can provide lasting help. Consider a visit to your chiropractor to check for subluxation of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.
SYMBIOTIC CONTROL
Countless helpful intestinal bacteria assist our digestive tracts. However, poor nutrition and antibiotics can give pathogenic bacteria the upper hand, resulting in dysbiosis, a state in which harmful and useful bacteria are out of balance. Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and flatulence can result. Natural bacteria preparations, medicinal plants and special food can be used to restore the healthy interplay of various bacterial strains.
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Nux Vomica - 30C: This is helpful for relieving upset stomach, after overly rich meals or excessive alcohol and nicotine consumption. Take 3 pellets or drops 1-3 times daily.
Arsenicum Album - 6X: Try this for nausea with vomiting and diarrhea that occur after eating spoiled food. Sufferers are generally restless and very anxious. Try 5 drops or pellets every hour until there are signs of improvement.
Bryonia - 6X: This is effective for severe, sharp pains as well as for severe thirst with immediate vomiting. Movement generally makes the problem worse, but warmth is helpful. Take 5 drops or globules every hour.
TAKE CARE!
Acid-binding drugs purchased from a pharmacy can initially provide quick relief for heartburn. However, prolonged use of them can cause the peptic glands to keep producing more acid until they finally shut down, which causes problems.
The following approach is much gentler on your body. Briefly boil linseed in a little water. Add the puffed linseed, also known as flaxseed, to chamomile and fennel tea, and drink it for quick relief. Dill is also used to help soothe an upset stomach.
For an infusion, use 2 teaspoons of the bruised seeds per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes and strain. Drink up to 3 cups a day.
Flax Seed, Whole, Certified Organic, 1 lb. Bulk
Flax seeds are thought to have originated in the ancient Middle East during biblical times. They are an important source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including Omega-3, plus Magnesium, Zinc and dietary fiber. Flax oil from flax seed is the richest known source of linolenic acid. Flax seed contains protein, mucilage, phytosterols and lignans, which are naturally included at 100 times the level of the next best source, wheat bran.
Golden Flax Seeds, Whole Bulk, NOW Foods, 16 oz.
Flax seeds are thought to have originated in the ancient Middle East during biblical times. They are an important source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including Omega-3, plus Magnesium, Zinc and dietary fiber. Flax oil from flax seed is the richest known source of linolenic acid. Flax seed contains protein, mucilage, phytosterols and lignans, which are naturally included at 100 times the level of the next best source, wheat bran.
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