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Wellness

What a Tummy Trouble Girl Should Be Packing

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at IUP chapter.

It’s a well-known fact that every hot girl either has tummy troubles or headaches. If you’re a tummy trouble girl I got you. We are faced with perils every day, but here are some things I have found that help me get through the rough days (most given to me by my GI doctor!). Hopefully, they will help you too! 

Something to fidget with

I usually carry around a worry rock with me. For those who don’t know, a worry rock is a small rock or crystal that is carved to have a smooth middle the perfect size for your thumb or finger. The intention is that you are to rub the stone and fidget with it. Oftentimes, tummy troubles can stem from anxiety or stress, so having something to keep your hands and in turn, your brain, occupied can make all the difference. 

If worry rocks aren’t your thing, you’re in luck. We are living in an age where fidget toys are everywhere. If you don’t want “toys” like the spinners and blocks – especially if you are in a professional environment – they also now make fidget jewelry like rings and necklaces. Ranging from Pura Vida to Etsy to Evry Jewels, I guarantee you’ll find a ring or necklace you like. 

A cute pill container

If you’re like me and you’ve been to a gastroenterologist, you probably have been prescribed a lot of “as-needed” pills. I myself have about 4 different medications that I can take to help me with my various symptoms. For both aesthetics and practicality, I bought myself a small pill container. The one I chose is of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night”, it’s very small and fits in the palm of my hand. 

It’s practical because if you are leaving the house for a few hours or even overnight, the chance of you needing one or two of the pills is good, but any more is probably pretty unlikely. It doesn’t make sense to carry all the pills and all the bottles around with you, especially if you’re doing something like running errands. Having the small pill container allows you to put a couple of each pill into the case and have them in case you need them. You can even do this with things like Tylenol or Midol if you want to. I don’t recommend doing it with any drugs like Xanax. If you are carrying around drugs like that, they are supposed to be in the bottle they came in so people know they are prescribed to you. 

A water bottle

Something my doctor always tells me is to make sure I am hydrated. Some symptoms of gastrointestinal troubles can be worsened by dehydration, even if slight. A tip I found that works for me is carrying a cute water bottle with me. I pick one I like that’s a nice color and put stickers on it because I love buying stickers! 

It is more beneficial to have one you can sip out of directly instead of a straw. My doctor told me that drinking from a straw can actually mean that you are “drinking” more air. The extra air in your digestive tract can actually cause more discomfort. This can exacerbate symptoms like bloating. It is also super important to clean your water bottle often! I know everyone wants to have their emotional support water bottle on them at all times, but it can quickly become a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria. This bacteria can again exacerbate your symptoms, especially if your gut microbiome is sensitive (if you’re reading this it probably is!).

Anti-nausea Remedies

I know many of us have symptoms of nausea, for me, even the smell of food can trigger my nausea and it’s really unpleasant. I do have anti-nausea medication that is prescribed to me by my GI doctor, however, there are some really good over-the-counter things you can get as well to help combat this really unpleasant feeling! Here are my top three go-to’s:

  • Dramamine – Nausea Relief Ginger Chews
  • UpSpring – Stomach Settling Nausea Relief Drops, Lemon Ginger and Honey
  • Nauzene – Nausea Relief Chewable Tablets, Wild Cherry Flavor

I have gotten all of these from various major stores like Walmart, CVS Etc. None of them are over 10 dollars and most come in a 20-count package or higher. 

Hopefully, you can add some of these into your daily life and alleviate some of those tummy troubles you experience!

Grace Fette is a chapter leader at the HerCampus at IUP chapter. She loves to write lists, zodiac posts, and personal experiences. Grace is a Junior at IUP. She's an English Writing studies major with Women and Gender studies and Communications media minors. She is president of Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society Xi Xi chapter and her work has been published a number of times. She loves to hang out with friends and her sister, hike, and read poetry. She is always up for coffee, cute breakfast places, and concerts of any kind!