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This article was co-authored by David Schechter, MD. Dr. David Schechter is a physician in Culver City, California. With over 25 years of experience as a family and sports medicine physician, Dr. Schechter specializes in mind-body medicine, preventive medicine, and chronic pain. Dr. Schechter received his MD from New York University and is an attending physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was named a Top Doctor by Los Angeles Magazine and Men's Health Magazine. He has also written several books, including The MindBody Workbook.
There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 33,062 times.
A stomach ache is a common problem that can have a lot of different causes, including indigestion, food poisoning, irritable bowel syndrome, and many more. If you are in pain, there are a lot of treatments you can try. They include simple treatments and common household remedies, as well as medications and medical care. With a little bit of trial and error, you should be able to treat your stomach ache effectively and get rid of your discomfort.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:
Using Simple Treatments
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1Drink frequent, small amounts of water. In some cases, an upset stomach can simply be caused by dehydration. If this is the case for you, drinking water will hydrate you quickly and that will settle your stomach. However, you need to drink the water slowly, so that your stomach can process it easily.[1]
- This is especially important if your stomach ache is accompanied by diarrhea. Diarrhea will make you lose fluids quickly and so you need to replace them.[2]
- It's suggested that you drink about 3 litres (110 imp fl oz; 100 fl oz) of water a day to stay hydrated. To make sure you are drinking enough water but not too quickly, drink one glass of water over the course of 2 hours.
- The reason that dehydration can give you a stomach ache is because it makes digestion more difficult. This in turn can make your stomach upset.
Tip: You can also drink herbal tea or carbonated water, which hydrates you just as well as water does. Most beverages with lots of added sugar or other ingredients won't hydrate you as effectively.
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2Apply a heating pad or hot water bottle to your stomach. Fill your hot water bottle with hot water from your sink or turn your heating pad to medium. Place the bottle or pad on your stomach, either right on the skin or on top of your clothing, depending on if it is too hot to comfortably touch your skin.
- In general, apply the heating pad or hot water bottle for anywhere between 15 minutes to an hour. As long as it is helping your condition and it's not so hot that it's scorching your skin, it's safe to apply heat for a long period of time.[3]
- Applying heat to your stomach will help relax the muscles in the area, so it can relieve any cramping the is happening. It will also relax you and
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3Get some rest. Your body can do a lot of healing if you allow it to rest and recover. If possible, take a nap or simply close your eyes and rest for an hour or two. This will allow you to recover more quickly.
- Lay in a comfortable position that doesn't increase your symptoms. Many times when you have a stomach ache it's best to lay in a partially upright position. Staying partially upright will help prevent your stomach acids from giving your heartburn.[4]
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4Massage your own stomach if the pain could be related to constipation. Lay down and gently press your fingertips into the area that is aching. Rub the whole area in a circular motion at a pressure that is comfortable for you. After a few minutes, your pain and discomfort should be reduced.[5]
- This kind of self massage can help the contents of your digestive tract move and alleviate tightness and discomfort.
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5Moderate how much you eat. Many stomach aches are caused by eating too much food. If you are prone to this type of stomach ache, try eating less at each meal. This will put less stress on your stomach and allow it to digest your food more easily.
- You can actually still eat the same amount of food. You just need to eat more small meals throughout the day. For example, instead of eating three meals, try eating 5 smaller meals over the course of the day. This will allow for more gradual digestion.
- Avoid foods that upset your stomach. If you start to see a pattern for when you eat certain things and when your stomach gets upset, try avoiding those foods. Common foods that can irritate some people's stomachs include spicy foods (like hot peppers), acidic foods (such as grapefruits), and raw vegetables (such as raw broccoli).[6]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:
Using Common Household Remedies
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1Sip on a ginger ale or ginger tea. Drinking a tea or carbonated beverage that has ginger in it can help eliminate your stomach ache quickly. However, don't drink it too quickly. Sip on it so that it doesn't overwhelm your stomach even further.[7]
- Ginger is the ingredient in ginger ale and ginger tea that helps calm the stomach. This is because it has natural anti-inflammatory properties and reduces stomach acid.[8]
Tip: Look at the ingredients on your ginger ale or ginger tea and make sure that it contains actual ginger. Artificial ginger will not have the same effect as actual ginger.
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2Take an Epsom salt bath. If you suspect that your stomach ache is caused by constipation, an Epsom salt (Magnesium bath can ease your pain and discomfort, and can get your digestive tract moving again. Fill your bath with warm water and add 1 1/2 cups of Epsom salts to the tub. Then you can soak for as long as your bath stays warm.[9]
- Epsom salts are an osmotic laxative. They will help your body move fluids into the intestines, which will help your digestive tract start working again.
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3Eat foods that will reduce your stomach acid. Many stomach aches are caused by having too much stomach acid. You can use foods to neutralize the acids in your stomach that may be upsetting it. Some foods to eat include:[10]
- Oatmeal
- Yogurt and other cultured dairy products
- Crackers
- Bread
- Non-citrus fruits, such as apples, grapes, and pears
- Cooked vegetables, including green beans, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, and leafy greens
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:
Taking Over-the-Counter Medication
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1Get an over-the-counter medication that treats stomach upset. These medications typically contain bismuth subsalicylate, which treats both nausea and diarrhea by protecting the stomach lining. Once these problems are treated, your stomach ache may be eliminated as well.[11] [12]
- Follow the dosage directions that come on the packaging.
- There are typically a wide variety of these medications available at most pharmacies, grocery stores, and big box stores.
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2Reduce your stomach acid with an acid-reducing medication. In many cases a stomach ache is caused by an over production of stomach acid. Take an over-the-counter antacid to see if this is the cause of your discomfort.[13]
- Antacids are available at all pharmacies, grocery stores, and big box stores.
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3Avoid medications that could upset your stomach further. For example, while you may have discomfort and pain due to your stomach ache, it's best not to take common pain killers in order to dull the pain. Many common over-the-counter pain killers, such as ibuprofen, can cause stomach upset even when your stomach is in tip-top shape, so they can make your stomach ache even worse.[16]
- If your stomach upset is so painful that you can't take it, you should get medical care.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:
Deciding When to Get Medical Care
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1Get medical advice or see a doctor if home treatments don't work. If you have a severe stomach ache that is causing you severe pain and it can't be reduced with any treatment, then it's time to get professional medical care. Your doctor will be able to manage your pain and figure out what is causing it.
- If you are in a great deal of pain and your doctor's office is closed, go to the ER to get medical treatment. There are certain serious medical conditions that have a stomach ache as a symptom, such as gallbladder disease, so it's important to get treatment if your discomfort persists.[17]
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2Seek medical care if your stomach ache has come on suddenly and unexpectedly. In most cases, you will know to some degree why you are in pain. For instance, you ate a large dinner or you have a history of digestive problems. However, if you have no idea why you are in severe discomfort, contact your doctor. [18]
- A sudden stomach ache is associated with serious medical conditions, such as appendicitis, kidney stones, gallbladder stone, and diverticulitis.[19]
Tip: If you have access to a medical help line, this is a good time to call them. The nurse or other medical professional on the line will be able to help you assess the problem and decide whether you should go to your doctor or an emergency room.
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3Contact your doctor if you have additional severe symptoms. While a bad stomach ache can be reason enough to see your doctor, having additional symptoms should push you even quicker towards medical help because they can signal a serious medical condition. If you have any of these symptoms in addition to your stomach ache, contact your doctor right away:[20]
- Fever
- Bloody stool or vomit
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Arm pain
- A lump in the abdomen or stomach
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain when urinating
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4See a doctor if your stomach ache lasts two or three days. Call your doctor's office and set up an appointment to be seen as soon as possible. A bad stomach ache that lasts several days is typically not caused by ingestion or food poisoning. Instead, it's likely that the cause will require medical treatment to clear up.
- Long term pain can be a symptom of various conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, a urinary tract infection, and a stomach ulcer.[21]
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat settles an upset stomach?
David Schechter, MDDr. David Schechter is a physician in Culver City, California. With over 25 years of experience as a family and sports medicine physician, Dr. Schechter specializes in mind-body medicine, preventive medicine, and chronic pain. Dr. Schechter received his MD from New York University and is an attending physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was named a Top Doctor by Los Angeles Magazine and Men's Health Magazine. He has also written several books, including The MindBody Workbook.
Family Medicine PractitionerIf you feel like you have acid reflux, you can use calcium carbonate to help relieve your pain. -
QuestionHow do I know if my stomach ache is serious?David Schechter, MDDr. David Schechter is a physician in Culver City, California. With over 25 years of experience as a family and sports medicine physician, Dr. Schechter specializes in mind-body medicine, preventive medicine, and chronic pain. Dr. Schechter received his MD from New York University and is an attending physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was named a Top Doctor by Los Angeles Magazine and Men's Health Magazine. He has also written several books, including The MindBody Workbook.
Family Medicine PractitionerDiscuss your symptoms with your doctor to make sure your stomach ache isn't caused by a serious condition. While stomach aches are common, they can sometimes be caused by serious illnesses, such as appendicitis, gallbladder stones, kidney stones, or diverticulitis.
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References
- ↑ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322047.php
- ↑ https://www.prevention.com/health/health-conditions/a20116644/stomach-ache-remedies/
- ↑ https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-pain/treating-pain-with-heat-and-cold#applying-heat-therapy
- ↑ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322047.php
- ↑ http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/MBCP/AbdominalSelfmassage.pdf
- ↑ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321318#food
- ↑ https://www.berkeleywellness.com/self-care/home-remedies/article/ginger-ale-upset-stomach
- ↑ https://www.healthline.com/health/gerd/diet-nutrition#helpful-foods
- ↑ https://www.prevention.com/health/health-conditions/a20116644/stomach-ache-remedies/
- ↑ https://www.healthline.com/health/gerd/diet-nutrition#helpful-foods
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/pepto-bismol/
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/pepto-bismol.html
- ↑ David Schechter, MD. Family Medicine Practitioner. Expert Interview. 15 July 2020.
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/mtm/sodium-bicarbonate.html
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20161005124933/http://gicare.com/medication/sodium-bicarbonate/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682159.html
- ↑ https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/g19040084/stomach-pain-cures/
- ↑ https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/stomach-ache-and-abdominal-pain
- ↑ David Schechter, MD. Family Medicine Practitioner. Expert Interview. 15 July 2020.
- ↑ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322047.php
- ↑ https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/stomach-ache-and-abdominal-pain
About This Article
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Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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