Most stomach aches resolve on their own, but the right combination of simple remedies can speed up relief and keep you comfortable in the meantime. What works best depends on the type of pain you’re dealing with: cramping, bloating, nausea, or a burning sensation each respond to slightly different approaches.
Heat Can Relax Cramping Fast
A heating pad or hot water bottle placed on your abdomen is one of the simplest and most effective tools for stomach cramps. Heat dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow to the area, delivering more oxygen and nutrients while helping flush out irritants. It also loosens tight muscles, which is exactly what you need when your gut is contracting painfully. Keep the heat at a comfortable, warm level (not hot enough to burn) and apply it for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. A warm bath works the same way if you don’t have a heating pad handy.
Gentle Movement for Gas and Bloating
If your stomach ache feels more like pressure or bloating, trapped gas is a likely culprit, and certain body positions can help you pass it. The most targeted option is the wind-relieving pose: lie on your back, bend your knees to 90 degrees, and gently draw them toward your chest as you exhale. The compression and release action relaxes the bowels and intestines, making it easier to expel gas.
Other positions that stimulate digestion include a forward fold (standing and bending at the waist), child’s pose (kneeling with your torso folded forward), and a seated spinal twist, which essentially massages your intestines and increases blood flow through the digestive tract. Even a short walk can help move gas along if yoga isn’t your thing.
What to Drink (and What to Skip)
Staying hydrated matters, especially if vomiting or diarrhea is part of the picture. Plain water works well for mild stomach aches. If you’ve been losing fluids through vomiting or diarrhea, drinks with some electrolytes (sodium in particular) are a better choice than sugary beverages. Juice and sports drinks with high sugar content can actually worsen diarrhea by pulling more fluid into your intestines.
Peppermint tea is worth trying if your pain involves cramping or spasms. Peppermint oil has solid evidence behind it: a review of 10 studies with over 1,000 participants found it reduced abdominal pain better than a placebo. It works by relaxing the smooth muscles in your digestive tract. Ginger tea is another traditional option that many people find settles nausea, though sipping any warm liquid can be soothing on its own.
Over-the-Counter Options by Symptom
The right medication depends entirely on what’s causing your discomfort:
- Burning or acid-related pain: Antacids neutralize stomach acid and work within minutes. These are your best bet for heartburn or that sour, gnawing feeling in the upper abdomen.
- Nausea, diarrhea, or general upset: Bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol) treats all three. It works by reducing inflammation inside the intestine and slowing the flow of fluid into the bowel. It’s approved for adults and children 12 and older.
- Bloating and gas pressure: Simethicone breaks up gas bubbles in your digestive tract, making them easier to pass. It doesn’t prevent gas from forming but can relieve that uncomfortable, distended feeling.
If your stomach ache is accompanied by diarrhea, a probiotic supplement may shorten the episode. The strains with the strongest evidence include Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii. In clinical trials, L. rhamnosus GG reduced diarrhea duration by about two days, while Lactobacillus reuteri cut it by roughly 25 hours.
What to Eat While Your Stomach Recovers
You’ve probably heard of the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast), but it’s no longer recommended as a strict protocol. The American Academy of Pediatrics moved away from it because it’s too restrictive and lacks the protein, calcium, fiber, and B12 your body needs to recover. Following it for more than 24 hours can actually slow healing.
The underlying idea is still sound, though: eat soft, bland foods that won’t irritate your stomach. Beyond the classic BRAT foods, good options include brothy soups, oatmeal, boiled potatoes, saltine crackers, and dry cereal. The key is to eat as tolerated. Start with small amounts and expand your diet as soon as you feel up to it rather than restricting yourself unnecessarily. Avoid greasy, spicy, or heavily seasoned foods until you’re feeling consistently better.
Peppermint Oil Capsules for Recurring Pain
If stomach aches are a regular occurrence for you, enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules are worth considering as a longer-term approach. The American College of Gastroenterology recommends them for relieving overall symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and enteric coating specifically prevents the oil from dissolving in the stomach (which can cause heartburn) so it reaches the intestines where it’s most effective. These are available without a prescription at most pharmacies and health food stores.
When Stomach Pain Needs Emergency Care
Most stomach aches are harmless, but certain patterns signal something serious. According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, you should seek emergency care if pain is sudden and severe, or if it doesn’t ease within 30 minutes. Continuous, severe abdominal pain paired with nonstop vomiting can indicate a life-threatening condition.
Specific warning combinations to watch for: severe pain in the lower right abdomen with nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or fever (possible appendicitis). Pain in the middle upper abdomen that lasts days and worsens after eating, with a rapid pulse (possible pancreatitis). Severe abdominal pain with vaginal bleeding (possible ectopic pregnancy). Any of these warrant an ER visit, not a wait-and-see approach.