Most stomach aches respond well to simple remedies you already have at home: heat, gentle foods, plenty of fluids, and time. The right approach depends on what’s causing the pain, whether it’s gas, nausea, cramping, or general indigestion. Here’s what actually works and when to take things more seriously.
Apply Heat to Your Abdomen
A heating pad or hot water bottle placed on your stomach is one of the simplest and most effective first steps. Heat widens blood vessels in the area, increasing blood flow and reducing the contractions of your internal organs. That’s why it feels immediately soothing. The muscle-relaxing effect is well established, and it works for cramps, gas pain, and general abdominal discomfort alike. Keep the temperature comfortable rather than hot, and use a cloth barrier between the heat source and your skin. Fifteen to twenty minutes is usually enough to feel relief.
Try Peppermint for Cramping
Peppermint is more than a folk remedy. It relaxes the smooth muscle lining your digestive tract by blocking the calcium signals that trigger those muscles to contract. This makes it particularly useful for cramping, bloating, and the kind of stomach ache that comes with intestinal spasms. Peppermint tea is the gentlest option. Enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules are available over the counter and deliver the oil directly to your intestines rather than your stomach, which can reduce the chance of heartburn. If your stomach ache involves acid reflux, skip the peppermint, since relaxing the muscle at the top of your stomach can make reflux worse.
What to Eat (and Avoid) With an Upset Stomach
You may have heard of the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. It was once the standard advice for stomach trouble, but it’s no longer recommended as a strict regimen. It lacks calcium, vitamin B12, protein, and fiber, and following it for more than a day or two can actually slow recovery, especially in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers it too restrictive.
That said, the idea behind it is sound: eat bland, easy-to-digest foods. Good choices when your stomach is upset include brothy soups, oatmeal, dry cereal, boiled potatoes, and saltine crackers. As you start feeling better, add scrambled eggs, skinless chicken or turkey, and cooked vegetables to rebuild your nutrition without overwhelming your gut.
While you’re recovering, avoid foods and drinks that are acidic, fried, spicy, or high in sugar. Dairy, caffeine, and alcohol are also likely to make things worse. If you’re actively vomiting, stick to liquids only: water, ice chips, broth, diluted fruit juice, electrolyte drinks, popsicles, or weak decaffeinated tea. Small, frequent sips are easier to keep down than large gulps.
Over-the-Counter Medications That Help
For Gas and Bloating
Products containing simethicone (sold under brand names like Gas-X) work by lowering the surface tension of gas bubbles trapped in your stomach and intestines. This lets small bubbles merge into larger ones that are easier for your body to expel. Simethicone doesn’t get absorbed into your bloodstream, so side effects are minimal. It’s a good choice when your stomach ache feels like pressure or fullness from trapped gas.
For Nausea, Indigestion, or Diarrhea
Bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol) is useful for a wider range of symptoms. It works on multiple fronts: it increases mucus production in the stomach lining, creating a protective barrier against acid. Its salicylate component reduces inflammation and excess fluid secretion in the intestines, which helps with diarrhea. It also has antibacterial properties, which is why it’s commonly used to prevent traveler’s diarrhea. If your stomach ache comes with nausea or loose stools, this is often the better pick over simethicone.
For Acid-Related Pain
If your stomach ache feels like burning or sits high in your abdomen, an antacid can neutralize excess stomach acid quickly. For longer-lasting relief, acid reducers that limit how much acid your stomach produces in the first place are available without a prescription. These are best for pain that worsens after eating or when lying down.
Ginger and Probiotics
Ginger has a long track record for settling nausea and mild stomach upset. Ginger tea, ginger chews, or even flat ginger ale (with real ginger) can help calm queasiness. It’s especially useful for motion sickness and pregnancy-related nausea.
Probiotics won’t fix a stomach ache in the moment, but they can help if you’re dealing with recurring digestive issues like bloating, gas, constipation, or symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. An imbalanced gut microbiome, where harmful microbes outnumber the helpful ones, contributes to a range of chronic digestive problems. The most commonly studied strains belong to the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium families. Results vary from person to person, and it can take a few weeks of consistent use to notice a difference.
When a Stomach Ache Needs Medical Attention
Most stomach aches are harmless and pass within hours. But certain patterns signal something more serious. Get to an emergency room if your pain is so severe it interrupts your ability to function, if you’re vomiting and can’t keep any liquids down, or if you’re completely unable to have a bowel movement alongside severe pain. A history of abdominal surgery also lowers the threshold for seeking care, since scar tissue can cause bowel obstructions.
Pay close attention to pain that starts near your belly button and migrates to your lower right side, especially if it gets worse when you move, cough, or breathe deeply and worsens over hours. Combined with nausea, loss of appetite, or fever, these are classic signs of appendicitis. Severe pain with nausea, fever, and a rapid pulse can point to pancreatitis. In general, if you’ve had similar stomach aches before but this one feels different, more intense, or comes with new symptoms, that’s reason enough to seek care.