When you get the stomach flu, you know it. Unlike the regular flu, which is challenging enough, the stomach flu includes vicious symptoms that can keep you between your bed and the bathroom for days. When the stomach flu strikes, it typically begins with symptoms that are at least manageable.

However, they soon transition into symptoms that will wilt even the toughest of persons. To make matters worse, there isn’t a cure for the stomach flu! So, what are your options? Fortunately, there are some helpful treatments that you can employ to make about with the stomach flu at least somewhat tolerable.

Even if you’re not currently sick, it’s a good idea to keep this guide bookmarked and handy. If you’re unfortunate enough to get hit with the stomach flu, you can refer back here for a helping hand.

A Closer Look at the Stomach Flu

When the stomach flu first strikes, it’ll sometimes begin with some chills and a fever, though nausea and vomiting is the most common start. Although not ideal, these symptoms aren’t the worst thing that could happen to you.

Some people are capable of functioning just fine at the very beginning of the stomach flu. However, it is often short-lived, as what follows is the stuff nightmares are made of. Your nausea soon turns into full-fledged vomiting, and your fever and chills get the company of incredible aches and pains.

Oh, and there’s an unhealthy dose of diarrhea just to spice things up. If you’ve never had the misfortune of getting the stomach flu, consider yourself blessed. As you can imagine, it’s a harrowing illness that is unapologetic in the misery it causes you.

That’s why it’s so important to be smart in how you fight the stomach flu. Not just any remedy will work against this Frankenstein’s monster of a virus, so you need to follow the advice of those who have gone before you.

Over time, stomach flu treatments have been experimented with and honed to what you see before you today. The following are the most effective treatment options you can employ in your efforts to ease the stomach flu’s symptoms.

Treating the Stomach Flu

Get Plenty of Fluids

As you’ve probably already surmised, the stomach flu causes you to lose a lot of fluid, which is why it’s necessary to keep your fluid intake high throughout the course of your illness. Between throwing up and sitting on the toilet, you’re going to be sweating a lot, too.

As such, essential bodily fluids will be at a minimum, making replenishment crucial. Like most people who get the stomach flu, you’re probably going to have a hard time keeping anything down, and that includes beverages.

If that’s the case, try putting an ice cube in your mouth, gradually sipping it as it melts. You can take small sips of some drinks, too, but make sure they are stomach-flu-friendly.

Beverages that are safe to consume while sick include:

• Electrolyte-rich sports drinks
• Peppermint or ginger tea
• Pedialyte
• Water
• Broth

Conversely, there are beverages that you want to avoid when suffering from the stomach flu, such as:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Hot chocolate
• Black tea
• Coffee

Consuming these drinks can turn your stomach upside-down and worse than it already is. The last thing you want to do is put more strain on your body.

BRAT It Up

No, not that kind of brat, but BRAT, as in Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast. Each of these foods is ideal for the stomach flu, as they are easy to digest while providing your body with the nutrients it needs while you are sick.

Bananas, for example, are an excellent source of potassium, which is lost when you throw up or have diarrhea. What’s more, bananas help to strengthen the lining in your stomach and are incredibly easy to digest.

Rice gives you a boost of much-needed energy thanks to its carbs. Plus, your body has an easy time processing rice. Just be sure to stick with white rice only, as brown rice can make you gassy due to the high fiber content.

Applesauce is another energy-boosting food that your body should have no trouble digesting. Moreover, applesauce contains pectin, which is known to assist in calming diarrhea.

Toast is easy to consume and helps provide the carbs your body needs. A single slice of toast has 15g of carbohydrates, which is a good start in getting your recommended daily intake.

If you stick to these foods while you’re fighting the stomach flu, there’s a good chance that you will feel better than what’s typical. But it’s important to make an effort to avoid foods that are high in fiber, spicy, or fatty.

Likewise, dairy can exacerbate your diarrhea and vomiting, so it’s best to stay away from it. Some people can tolerate dairy while they’re sick, but if you’re unsure where you stand, it’s better not to test it.

When it comes to foods and drinks you should try to incorporate, coconut water was practically made for the stomach flu. It’s high in potassium and can work to replenish lost nutrients.

For more intense cases, electrolyte drinks should be a go-to. Parents can give 1-2 tablespoons of electrolyte drinks every 15-20 minutes if the child is vomiting.

Be sure to watch for decreased urine output, dry mouth and hot skin — signs of dehydration that parents should call their pediatrician about.

Get Lots of Rest

Getting rest is one of the single best things you can for your body while you’re sick with the stomach flu. The more activity you perform, the longer it’s going to take for you to feel better. By getting lots of rest, your body will be able to use its resources to fight off the virus.

You don’t necessarily have to sleep, although it would be helpful. The goal here is to make sure that you are resting as often as possible. The only times you should be up are for essential things, like going to the bathroom.

Feel free to lie on the couch and watch TV all day, if necessary. As long as you are letting your body relax, it will have a better chance to do its job of healing you.

Medicate

Although the stomach flu isn’t actually a flu (it comes from a completely different type of virus), the two do share many of the same symptoms. As such, flu medication can go a long way in helping you feel better.

That said, you want to use caution in the kinds of medications you use to combat your illness. If you’ve spent any time in the medicine aisle at your favorite retail or drug store, you’re probably aware that there are countless medications available for the flu.

While it might seem like you have a lot of options to choose from, closer inspection tells a different story. Medicine companies share the common practice of using artificial inactive ingredients, as well as unnecessary additives and potentially harmful chemicals.

This may add up to a less than desirable supply of medicine to treat your ailments. And if your child has the stomach flu, even more caution needs to be given. So, what are you supposed to do? Where can you turn for medicine made clean – medicine that is made with the same active ingredients you need, but without the artificial fillers that you may not want in your stomach to begin with?

For that, you need Genexa’s Flu Fix. Armed with real ingredients, you can trust that your body is getting precisely what it needs to help you fight the stomach flu according to the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States. When you take Flu Fix, you’re getting clean medicine that targets symptoms associated with the flu, such as body aches, headache, fever, chills and fatigue, and congestion and sore throat.

Even better, Flu Fix is safe for children as young as 3 years of age. Adults and kids over 12 should chew 2 of the chewable organic tablets, while kids between the ages of 3 and 11 should chew only 1 tablet.

Additionally, Genexa’s Probiotics for Infants can help, too. Some research shows that probiotics can reduce how long children have diarrhea that’s caused by a viral illness.

Now you can ensure that your family is getting a clean treatment option in combating the stomach flu – medicine with the same active ingredients you need, but without artificial fillers. And if you’re suffering from other illnesses, Genexa offers an extensive line of clean organic medicines.

There are even products specifically designed for infants and children, as well as a variety of formulas for adults. If you’re ready to ditch those artificial inactive ingredients in your medicine cabinet, be sure to explore Genexa’s selection.

Summary

The stomach flu may be nasty business, but you can assist in your recovery by following these helpful tips. You won’t be able to cure the stomach flu, but you can at least make it as tolerable as possible.

When you eat right, get plenty of rest, replenish your fluids, and take the right medications, there’s a good chance that you will feel better than most. Just be sure to avoid those potentially harmful artificial medicines, and you’ll be in good shape.

Thankfully, you can count on Genexa to provide you with the medication you and your loved ones need to feel your best. As the first clean medicine company, Genexa uses only real ingredients in its products, made from the same active ingredients you need, but without artificial inactive ingredients.

As such, you will never find any artificial inactive ingredients. And with more people avoiding harmful pharmaceuticals in favor of organic homeopathic alternatives, there’s no better time to join Genexa’s cause.