Sick as a Dog: How to Heal an Upset Tummy

I'm sick as a dog....

 Update 5/23/11:  A lot of people are coming across this blog post by entering search terms associated with a sick pet. If your dog or cat has an upset tummy (diarrhea) go to your local grocery store and buy a can of organic pumpkin puree.  Mix it in with their food and it should do the trick.  DO NOT PURCHASE PUMPKIN PIE FILLER--IT IS NOT THE SAME THING AND WILL LIKELY AGGRAVATE THEIR TUMMY MORE.  If your animal is vomiting take them to the vet immediately.  Dogs and cats do not vomit unless something is seriously wrong.

If you are looking for ways to treat human ailments/upset tummies then keep reading... :)

I have been living-in-the-bathroom-floor-high fever-headache-nausea-vomiting-diarrhea-sick for almost three days now.  I haven't felt this god awful since my appendix ruptured on my birthday 2 years ago.  I decided someone should benefit from my suffering and since I did go to nursing school I might as well spread my knowledge to the masses.  So in between sitting on a toilet while puking in a bucket (TMI? Yeah probably....sorry) I'm going to write a blog with some tips to help your sick children (or sick self).

Vomiting:

• There is a great over the counter medication (no prescription necessary) that works wonders for an upset tummy.  It's called emetrol and it's a liquid anti-nausea drug that can be taken every 15 minutes until nausea is abated.  Most pharmacies carry it and so do several grocery stores.  It works so well that it has been around for 60 years.  It's been around that long because it works. Emetrol is really a miracle drug for vomiting.
• Cool ice pack on your tummy:  my great grandma swore by this and it almost always did the trick for our childhood tummy troubles.  Plus it helps bring down fevers and relieves some of the ache associated with vomiting and diarrhea. 
• Ginger Ale made with real ginger or ginger root tea also help relieve an upset stomach.  Coke and other sodas absolutely do NOT help relieve an upset stomach and the sugars/carbonation in such products can actually further aggravate an upset stomach.

Diarrhea:

• Unless diarrhea is severe, it is usually best to let it run its course.  Diarrhea is the body's way of flushing a virus/bacteria out.  If diarrhea is severe enough that you cannot leave the bathroom or control it enough to make it to the bathroom then take an anti-diarrhea drug from the drug store.  Dehydration is a major problem associated with diarrhea so even if symptoms are only mild make sure you stay well hydrated.
• Medications:  Immodium AD (or the generic equivalent) is the best there is!  There is even an Immodium liquid for children aged 6-11.  If you have an infant or child younger than 6 with diarrhea, take them to the doctor as infants in particular are extremely prone to dehydration.  
• Herbal remedies:  red raspberry leaf tea can help mild diarrhea

What to feed an upset tummy:

Upset tummies need easily digestible foods.  Use the B.R.A.T. diet:
Bananas
Rice
Applesauce
Toast

What to drink:  water, Gatorade, ginger ale, or weak tea (half tea/half water mixture)

I hope my misery helps you out!