STOMACH ACHE
The main symptom as is clear from the name is ache or pain. The pain can be of many types depending upon the cause of the pain.In some cases it can be very mild and bearable while in other it could be very severe and appears like taking the life of the patient. Depending on the cause of the pain it can be continous high, sometimes high and sometime low like a wave, appear at a specific time only like one hour before or after the meals or on empty stomach. The nature of pain is also different .It can be biting, burning, throbbing, spasmodic, piercing or sometime very mild and relief giving.
Stomach ache is a term which is generally used for the abdominal region, so even if the pain is not in the stomach exactly, it can be termed as stomach ache in a layman’s language. Common causes for pain in the abdominal region can be appendicitis, kidney stone, gall bladder stone, gastric or duodenal ulcers, colitis, inflammation of liver or any other part of the alimentary canal and urinary tract infection. Pain in the abdominal region can also be caused due to presence of worms in the digestive tract, constipation, indigestion, wind and distention, gastritis, food poisoning or food allergies ,acidity and diarrhea. It can be caused due to presence of toxic material called ama. Though most pains according to Ayurveda are caused by vata (air ) aggravation, it can also present as an aggravation of pitta (fire) and kapha (water and mucus ) doshas.
The treatment according to Ayurveda is according to the cause of the pain. As the aim of Ayurvedic treatment is to remove the root cause, it could be different in different cases depending on the cause. In this way the Ayurvedic approach is different than modern medicine where generally pain killers are prescribed what ever may be the cause. Some general remedies for stomach ache are given here. In case of severe symptoms it is advised to consult the Ayurvedic physician.
The patient should have clear bowel movements and should not be constipated. According to Ayurveda every one should pass stool at least once in 24 hours. Early morning (first thing after waking up ) the best time to clean. In case of severe constipation an enema with warm water can be given. Two tea spoon of castor oil mixed in a cup of warm milk can be given to patient every night before going to bed or whenever necessary.
If the pain is due to acidity or gas drinking a plain soda water bottle helps immediately.
Two tea spoon of lemon juice mixed in 50 ml. of warm water helps to relieve all kinds of stomach aches. One gram rock salt powder should be mixed in this and this can be taken at least three times a day. Take equal weights of dry ginger, black pepper, roasted cumin seeds, dry mint leaves, coriander, asa asafetida, garlic and rock salt. Make a fine powder by grinding all these together. Taking one or half tea spoon of this powder with warm water gives relief from stomach ache. This can be taken two or three times a day after meals. In case some of the ingredients are not found, you can make the powder with what ever items are available. Common salt can be used if rock salt is unavailable.
One to three grams of ajowan seeds with warm water relieve the stomach ache. It becomes more effective if an equal weight of rock salt is added to it. In case rock salt is not available, common salt can be used.
Giving local heat treatment at the site of the pain also gives some relief in the pain.
One tea spoon ful ginger juice and one tea spoonful castor oil mixed in half cup warm water relieves the stomach ache. Can be taken twice a day.
Take about 20 gms. of anise seeds. Put them in one cup water for about 4 hours. Strain and drink the water. It is best to soak the anise seeds in water overnight and drink next morning.
Diet should be mainly light and easily digestible. A little grains, rice, yogurt or butter milk, a little salad with a thin dressing of oil or yogurt on it is good. A dressing of lemon juice can also be used on the salad. Cooked vegetables like squash, zucchini, pumpkin and mung dal (green beans or pulses) are good to take. Khichree is also good. Khichree is prepared by cooking together one part rice and six parts mung beans. Mung beans can be found in the Indian store. Soup of vegetables is good. Fruit juices and fruits like grapes, papaya, orange, peaches etc. are good.
Fried and spicy food which contain too much oil are prohibited. Beans, potatoes, sweets, creams and yogurt in the night time are also not good.
Avoid all kinds of physical activities immediately after meals. The patient should take sufficient rest. Mental tension, worry, anxiety, greed, anger and fear should be given up and the patient must have a relaxed mind.