Epigastric pain refers to pain felt in the upper portion of the abdominal area, and right in the center. It is usually brought about by problems concerning organs in the area such as the stomach, liver, pancreas and even the heart. There are instances wherein the discomfort felt is radiated to the location from another part of the body.
The characteristics of epigastric pain may vary from case to case. For instance, it can be dull in nature and sometimes feel severe. It’s possible for it to strike while you’re eating or after a meal. In order to have epigastric pain managed, it is important for the root cause to be identified so that the right treatment may be employed.
However, due to the fact that there are a handful of organs located in the area and the discomfort may actually radiate from somewhere else, the culprit behind epigastric pain may be challenging to name. Sometimes it can be due to problems with the liver or pancreas. The heart may be behind it. Most of the time, it’s caused by issues with the stomach.
Persistent epigastric pain should be checked by a physician. This allows the underlying cause to be identified, allowing you to receive the right treatment for it. In case your epigastric pain is due to heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, gastritis, or stomach ulcer, there are a handful of effective home remedies that you may try.
Sip Ginger Tea
There is no question that indigestion is something that can cause epigastric pain. Whenever a full, greasy or spicy meal is giving you a lot of discomfort, slowly consume a cup of freshly-brewed ginger tea. Ginger has the ability to neutralize excess stomach acids as well as soothe inflamed and irritated lining of the GI tract during a bout of gastritis.
Consume Chamomile Tea
Another home remedy for epigastric pain due to indigestion is chamomile tea. It has a soothing effect to the stomach, also making it the perfect beverage if you have acid reflux or GERD. Most especially if your hyperacidity or heartburn is keeping you from having a good night’s sleep, make yourself a cup of chamomile tea.
Have Peppermint Tea
So many people who are prone to having indigestion swear by the effectiveness of a hot cup of peppermint tea. You can make one using fresh peppermint leaves or peppermint tea bags available at most health food stores. However, peppermint tea is not ideal for individuals who have acid reflux or GERD which the beverage may exacerbate.
Take Baking Soda
Instead of taking antacids that do not cost cheap, why not simply take baking soda which is capable of neutralizing those excess acids in the stomach? All you have to do is dissolve a teaspoon of it in a glass of lukewarm water, and drink. Got a really bad case of stomach acidity? Dissolve a couple of teaspoons of baking soda instead.
Drink Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera juice is known to be an effective home remedy for a number of stomach-related problems, thus it is very good at dealing with epigastric pain. It’s something that you may take if you have acid reflux or GERD. Aloe vera juice is also beneficial for those with stomach ulcers. Just make sure that the beverage is 100% pure aloe vera.
Eat Burned Toast
Alcohol and others that contain toxins may also give you epigastric pain. If activated charcoal tablets are not available, consider having burned toast. Just like activated charcoal, burned toasts is said to be effective in absorbing toxins in the stomach. When you suspect poisoning, always seek medical attention right away.
Snack on Plain Yogurt
Last but not least, you may consume plain yogurt to help attain relief from epigastric pain. Because it supplies your gut with beneficial bacteria, it can help get rid of imbalance in the abdomen which can cause a lot of discomfort as well as problems such as diarrhea. Plain yogurt also supplies your body with calcium and other nutrients.
