Most stomach aches resolve on their own within a few hours with simple measures: applying heat, sipping the right fluids, and eating easy-to-digest foods. The best approach depends on what’s causing your pain and where you feel it, but a few strategies work well for the most common culprits like gas, indigestion, and mild stomach bugs.
Apply Heat to Your Abdomen
A heating pad or hot water bottle is one of the fastest ways to ease stomach cramps. When heat above 40°C (104°F) reaches the skin near the source of internal pain, it activates heat receptors that block the chemical signals responsible for transmitting pain. Researchers at University College London found that these heat receptors directly shut down the pain receptors activated by damaged cells, which is why a warm compress can bring relief within minutes for cramping, gas pain, and menstrual-related stomach aches.
Place the heating pad over a thin layer of clothing to avoid burns and keep it on for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. A warm bath works similarly if you don’t have a heating pad handy.
Try Ginger or Peppermint Tea
Ginger and peppermint are two of the most studied natural remedies for stomach discomfort, and they work in different ways. Ginger is particularly effective for nausea. It’s one of the few remedies considered safe enough to use for morning sickness during pregnancy, and a 2023 study found that ginger root powder improved indigestion symptoms and supported a healthier gut microbiome. To make ginger tea, grate a small knob of peeled fresh ginger, steep it in boiling water for five to ten minutes, then strain. Adding lemon or honey is fine.
Peppermint is the better choice if your stomach ache involves bloating, gas, or cramping. Peppermint oil relaxes the smooth muscles lining your intestines, which is why it relieves the spasms behind that tight, pressured feeling. A 2022 meta-analysis found peppermint oil more effective than a placebo at reducing IBS symptoms like bloating, gas, and constipation. Even just inhaling peppermint oil can help settle nausea. You can steep crushed peppermint leaves in hot water or use a store-bought peppermint tea bag.
One caution: if your stomach ache is from acid reflux or heartburn, skip the peppermint. That same muscle-relaxing effect can loosen the valve between your esophagus and stomach, making reflux worse.
Stay Hydrated, Especially After Vomiting or Diarrhea
If your stomach ache comes with vomiting or diarrhea, replacing lost fluids and electrolytes is the single most important thing you can do. Dehydration can set in quickly and often feels worse than the stomach bug itself. Adults can typically manage with water, diluted fruit juices, sports drinks, and broth. Saltine crackers help replace electrolytes too. If vomiting makes it hard to keep anything down, take small sips of clear liquids rather than large gulps.
Children need more careful attention. Oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte are the recommended choice for kids because they contain the right balance of glucose and electrolytes. Infants should continue breastfeeding or drinking formula as usual. Older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system should also use oral rehydration solutions rather than relying on water and sports drinks alone.
Eat Bland Foods, but Don’t Over-Restrict
You’ve probably heard of the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. It’s fine for a day or two when your stomach is at its worst, but Harvard Health notes there’s no research showing it works better than other approaches, and sticking to only those four foods deprives your body of the protein and nutrients it needs to recover.
A better strategy is to eat bland, easy-to-digest foods more broadly. Good options include brothy soups, oatmeal, boiled potatoes, crackers, and unsweetened dry cereal. As your stomach settles, add cooked squash, carrots, avocado, skinless chicken or turkey, fish, and eggs. These foods are gentle on your digestive system while giving your body actual fuel to heal. Avoid greasy, spicy, or highly acidic foods until you feel consistently better.
Over-the-Counter Options by Symptom
Different stomach problems call for different products, and grabbing the wrong one won’t help.
- Gas and bloating: Products containing simethicone break up gas bubbles in your digestive tract. They won’t address the underlying cause, but they relieve the pressure and discomfort.
- Heartburn and indigestion: Antacids neutralize stomach acid quickly. Bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol) works by forming a protective coating in your stomach and the lower part of your esophagus, making it useful for heartburn, indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea.
- Diarrhea: Anti-diarrheal products slow down intestinal movement. These are helpful for managing symptoms but should be avoided if you have a high fever or bloody stool, which can signal an infection your body needs to clear.
For children, avoid aspirin entirely due to the risk of Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition. If your child is taking ibuprofen for pain and develops an upset stomach or shows signs of dehydration, check with their doctor before continuing.
What Your Pain Location Can Tell You
Where your stomach ache sits can offer clues about what’s going on. Pain right in the center of your upper abdomen (the area just below your breastbone) is the classic location for indigestion, acid reflux, and gastritis. This is also the most common spot for the everyday stomach ache that responds well to the remedies above.
Pain in the lower abdomen, especially the lower left side, paired with a change in bowel habits, nausea without vomiting, or a low fever, can point to diverticulitis. Lower abdominal pain that shifts to the right side, particularly if it intensifies over several hours, raises concern for appendicitis. Upper right pain can involve the gallbladder, especially after fatty meals. These patterns don’t replace a diagnosis, but they’re worth paying attention to if your pain doesn’t improve or gets worse.
Signs That Need Immediate Attention
Most stomach aches are harmless, but certain symptoms signal something more serious. Get emergency care if you experience sudden, severe abdominal pain that comes on fast and doesn’t let up. A visibly swollen or distended abdomen that feels rigid or tight is another warning sign.
Watch for symptoms of shock: a rapid heart rate, sweating, confusion, or feeling faint. Pain that gets significantly worse when you gently press on your abdomen or even bump into something suggests inflammation of the abdominal lining, which needs urgent treatment. Blood in your vomit or stool, a high fever above 101°F (38.3°C) alongside abdominal pain, or an inability to keep any fluids down for more than 24 hours also warrant a trip to the emergency room.