Get Over a Stomach Ache

Stomach aches are never fun and they always seem to come at a bad time. Luckily, they usually are not serious and can be remedied with a little self-care. When your stomach hurts, it's usually because your body could use some tending to. Here are some simple tips to start the process.

Steps

Quick Fixes

  1. Sit down. Stop wandering around so your stomach isn't shaken. Being disturbed can randomly upset it. Letting it calm down should help. And remember - gurgling sounds are a good sign!
  2. Stop eating and drinking. Give your stomach a complete break from liquids and solids right away. If you really need to eat, go with small portions of non-acidic foods like grains (crackers, rice, oatmeal), non-sour fruits and vegetables (potatoes, bananas, leafy greens).
  3. Take an over-the-counter antacid. Take an antacid to neutralize the acidity in your stomach if you feel the stomach ache is related to indigestion or you are experiencing heart burn.
    • Tums and Milk of Magnesia (Magnesium Hydroxide) are the most common brands, but you can find other brand names with similar ingredients at the drugstore.
  4. Take simethicone. If you feel bloated, simethicone is an over-the-counter anti-bloating remedy that should help clear out any excess gas.
    • To find out if gas is your problem, try massaging your stomach and listening for gurgling sounds. Hear them? You probably have some excess gas in there. Simethicone can help clear it out.
  5. Take some subsalicylate.This works as an antidiarrheal, so if you have the runs this is what you should take. Pepto-Bismol is the most common brand, but you can find other brand names with similar ingredients sold over-the-counter at the drugstore.
  6. Go to the restroom. It may seem impossible, but sometimes all a stomach ache is asking for is a good, solid bowel movement.
  7. Take a warm shower or bath. Resting your body, warming your organs and calming your mind can all help with a stomach ache. Sometimes stomach pain comes as a reaction to a stressful day.
  8. Avoid lying down. Sometimes the reason for a stomach ache (or heartburn) is because your stomach acid has gone up into your esophagus. Sit upright in a comfortable position and give your stomach acid plenty of time to go back to where it belongs.
  9. Put a hot compress on your abdomen. If you don't have a heating pad, wet a washcloth with hot water and then place it on your stomach. Keep it there as long as needed.
  10. Massage your stomach. Slowly apply pressure with two fingers in a circular motion along your lower and upper abdomen.
  11. Try to sleep. If you are able, take a nap. In most cases, your stomach ache will be gone when you wake up. If you can't fall asleep, try to rest on your back, letting your stomach stretch out.

Home Remedies

  1. Eat a probiotic yogurt. Yogurt is a great line of defense against upset stomachs. It is full of healthy probiotics that soothe your stomach. In a study by University of Manchester, women with irritable bowel syndrome saw a decrease in bloating by 78 percent when they consumed yogurt daily.
  2. Eat probiotics and fermented foods. Probiotics come in many forms and have been reported to significantly reduce stomach trouble. Kombucha, yogurt, kefir and lacto-fermented vegetables are all good sources of probiotics.
  3. Drink a baking soda solution. Mix an 8 oz. glass of drinking water with two tablespoons of baking soda.
  4. Use herbal or plant remedies. A number of herbs are particularly effective at reducing stomach pain. Try these:
    • Make cinnamon tea. Gently boil two cups of water and two cinnamon sticks together for 15-20 minutes. Remove cinnamon sticks and pour into a mug or glass. Add a tablespoon of honey for sweetness.
    • Make peppermint tea. Some people prefer peppermint tea to cinnamon tea. Both will help to soothe your stomach and help you relax.
    • Make caraway tea. Gently boil two cups of water and two teaspoons of caraway seeds together for 15-20 minutes. Strain the liquid into glass and add a tablespoon of honey for sweetness. Or, consume caraway oil. Caraway oil is often used for digestive ailments including stomach and intestinal spasms.
    • Consume fennel. Ever wonder why Indian dishes often use fennel seed? It works to get rid of gas and aid indigestion. Try eating a spoonful of fennel seeds or making a fennel seed tea.
    • Consume ginger. Upset stomachs can benefit from ginger, which is used as a way to treat nausea and relieve indigestion. Eat it raw, make a tea or buy ginger capsules.
  5. Make an apple cider vinegar and honey elixir. An old folk recipe with a lot of modern praise, it may not work for everyone, but, if you feel up for it, give it a shot — it might be just what your stomach needs. Try mixing a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. Drink up!
  6. Eat a serving of papaya, pomegranate or pineapple. The enzymes in these fruits have been taken orally for centuries to relieve stomach pain. However, don't overdo it. These same fruits, in large quantities, are known to cause stomach aches.
  7. Drink carbonated water. Carbonated beverages can work to settle the stomach by initiating a burp which vents built-up gas.
  8. Take dry toast or crackers. Dry bread or crackers make you feel stuffed, at the same time give your peristaltic rhythms a way to keep going and prevent ionic loss.

Tips

  • If you need to throw up, don't hold it back since it can help get rid of the acid causing your stomach pain.
  • Lie down and rest as it helps your body relax.
  • Relax. Stomach aches can often be the result of stress, anxiety or depression. Do things that intentionally de-stress you. Meditate, listen to soothing music, or stretch in candlelight.
  • If you are in deep pain try to put pressure on your stomach using a pillow while you are laying down.
  • Pay attention to your diet. Unhealthy diets are a huge cause of upset stomachs. Eating unhealthy or junky foods can often result in prolonged stomach issues. Try incorporating fresh fruits and veggies, fermented foods, dairy and whole grains into your daily meals.
  • Lie on your back and try to count to the biggest number possible. This distraction will make you feel better and relieve the pain.
  • Eat frequent, but light meals. Eating small portions five or six times a day is stated by nutritionists to be the best way to eat. It is easier on the digestive track and can prevent stomach problems.
  • Stretch. Stretching not only relaxes your body, but also leads to increased circulation in the digestive tract, leading to smooth operations down there.
  • Cook with ginger, peppermint and fennel seed. These are at the top of the list of gut-happy-herbs. Try incorporating them into your meals.
  • Cook with cayenne. A study done at NYU found that people who consumed 2.5g of cayenne daily experienced reduction in stomach upset after three weeks.
  • If you go on the toilet, stay for a long time, don't rush.
  • Turn off all the lights in your room and play your favorite music. Cuddle up with some warm blankets and try to get some sleep. Sleep can help because it's sort of similar to a coma, but temporary. Often with sleep, it let's your body heal and take care of any business that it is usually unable to do when you're awake.
  • Think of something to get your mind off of your ache, such as reading or playing a game that requires concentration.
  • Eat peppermint; if it is a candy cane or a thin mint cookie it will help relive the pain.
  • Lie down on your back. Usually they come at bad times; so just relax.
  • Drink small sips of soda such as Coca-Cola, Ginger Ale, or clear sodas. It gets rid of the gas in your stomach by making you want to burp.
  • Try lying down or relaxing while eating raisins. It may not look appealing, but it will help.
  • To help relax lay on your back and put on some calming music.
  • Try to sit still; running or jumping around can make your stomachache worse.
  • Try not to eat that much. It could make it worse.It may lead to obesity.
  • When drinking water take little sips, not big gulps.
  • If you have a slight stomach ache, eat something with mint in it.

Warnings

  • If your stomach ache is due to heartburn or acid reflux avoid lying down as your stomach acid could travel up your esophagus.
  • See a doctor if you are experiencing pain:
    • that is intolerable, sharp or burning
    • that is worse than you've ever experienced before
    • that gets worse every day
    • abrupt
  • Appendicitis is a real thing. Be aware of these symptoms:
    • Appendicitis is associated with a very specific type of pain. It typically begins with a dull pain near the top of your abdomen (naval area) and becomes sharper as it moves to your lower abdomen.
    • loss of appetite.
    • vomiting or nausea shortly after the pain begins.
    • Fever
    • Swelling of the abdomen
    • inability to pass gas
    • If you think you might have some of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor right away. Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix and the typical response is to remove the appendix surgically. Don't worry though, the human body functions just fine without one--it's still a mystery as to why we are born with them.

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