What you should take for a stomach ache depends on what’s causing it. Acid-related pain, gas and bloating, cramping, and diarrhea each respond to different treatments. Most stomach aches resolve on their own or with the right over-the-counter option, but choosing the wrong one can make things worse.
Identify the Type of Pain First
Before reaching for anything, it helps to narrow down what you’re feeling. A burning sensation in your upper abdomen or chest usually points to excess stomach acid. Pressure and fullness with visible belly distension suggests trapped gas. Waves of cramping that come and go often involve muscle spasms in the intestines. Loose, frequent stools with belly discomfort is a diarrhea problem. Each of these calls for a different approach, and taking the wrong remedy can be ineffective or counterproductive.
Burning or Acid-Related Pain
If your stomach ache feels like a burning or gnawing sensation, especially after eating, stomach acid is the likely culprit. Antacids are the fastest fix. They work by directly neutralizing the acid already in your stomach, and most people feel relief within minutes.
When antacids aren’t enough, acid reducers take a different approach. These medications block the signal that tells your stomach to produce acid in the first place. Your stomach lining has receptors that, when activated, trigger acid secretion. Acid reducers (sold as famotidine under the brand name Pepcid, or cimetidine under Tagamet) bind to those receptors so the signal never gets through. They take longer to kick in than antacids, sometimes 30 to 60 minutes, but the effect lasts for hours. For occasional heartburn or indigestion, these are available over the counter and work well as a short-term solution.
One important note: avoid ibuprofen, aspirin, and similar anti-inflammatory painkillers when your stomach ache involves burning or acid. These medications carry a serious gastrointestinal risk. They can irritate the stomach lining, cause small erosions, and in severe cases lead to internal bleeding or perforation. This risk exists even at normal doses and can occur without warning symptoms. If you need a pain reliever for something unrelated while your stomach is bothering you, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a safer choice since it doesn’t affect the stomach lining.
Gas and Bloating
When a stomach ache comes with that uncomfortable, too-full, pressurized feeling, trapped gas is usually the problem. Simethicone (sold as Gas-X or Mylanta Gas) is the standard remedy. It works by breaking up gas bubbles in your digestive tract so they’re easier to pass. The typical adult dose is 40 to 125 mg taken up to four times a day, after meals and at bedtime, with a maximum of 500 mg in 24 hours. It’s considered very safe because the body doesn’t actually absorb it.
Walking around for 10 to 15 minutes after eating can also help move gas through your system. Lying down tends to trap it.
Cramping and Spasms
Stomach aches that come in waves, with the pain tightening and releasing, are typically caused by muscle spasms in the intestinal wall. For mild cramping, a heating pad placed on your abdomen can relax the muscles and provide real relief.
Peppermint oil has solid evidence behind it for this type of pain. A review of 10 studies involving over 1,000 participants found that peppermint oil was better than placebo at reducing abdominal pain, particularly in people with irritable bowel syndrome. The American College of Gastroenterology has recommended it for IBS symptom relief, specifically noting that enteric-coated capsules (the kind that dissolve in the intestines rather than the stomach) help avoid acid reflux as a side effect. If your cramping is a recurring problem rather than a one-time event, enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules are worth trying.
For severe or persistent cramping, prescription antispasmodic medications work by blocking a chemical signal that causes the intestinal muscles to contract. These require a doctor’s involvement and are typically reserved for conditions like IBS where cramping is frequent and disruptive.
Diarrhea With Stomach Pain
When your stomach ache comes alongside loose or frequent stools, the priority is managing the diarrhea itself. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) is a good first choice because it addresses multiple symptoms at once: it coats the stomach lining, reduces inflammation, and slows diarrhea. It’s effective for traveler’s diarrhea and general acute episodes.
Loperamide (Imodium) is a stronger option that works specifically by slowing intestinal movement. It’s effective for acute diarrhea in adults and children over 2, and it’s the better choice when diarrhea itself is the primary problem rather than general stomach upset.
One critical safety point: bismuth subsalicylate contains a compound related to aspirin (a salicylate). Do not give it to children or teenagers, especially during or after a viral illness. Salicylates in children are linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain and can be fatal within days without treatment.
What to Eat (and What to Skip)
You may have heard of the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) as the go-to for an upset stomach. Most experts no longer recommend following a restricted diet when you have acute stomach issues. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases advises that once you feel like eating again, you can return to your normal diet. Children with stomach problems should continue eating their usual age-appropriate foods, and infants should keep having breast milk or formula.
That said, common sense still applies. While your stomach is actively bothering you, avoiding greasy, spicy, or highly acidic foods is reasonable. Staying hydrated matters more than what you eat, especially if diarrhea or vomiting is involved. Small sips of water, broth, or an electrolyte drink are more useful than forcing yourself to eat bland crackers.
Ginger for Nausea-Related Pain
When a stomach ache comes with nausea, ginger is one of the most reliable natural options. Ginger tea, ginger chews, or ginger capsules can help settle the stomach. It’s been widely studied for nausea related to pregnancy, motion sickness, and post-surgery recovery, and it’s generally safe for most people. If your stomach ache is the kind where you feel like you might throw up, ginger is a reasonable first step before reaching for medication.
Red Flags That Need Medical Attention
Most stomach aches are harmless and pass within a few hours. But certain patterns signal something more serious. According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, you should seek emergency care if the pain is sudden and severe, does not ease within 30 minutes, or is accompanied by continuous vomiting. Severe pain concentrated in the lower right abdomen, especially with fever and loss of appetite, can indicate appendicitis. Abdominal pain with vaginal bleeding may signal an ectopic pregnancy. Pain with a swollen, tender abdomen, fever, and a rapid pulse can point to pancreatitis.
Blood in your stool, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or a stomach ache that keeps getting worse over several days also warrants a call to your doctor rather than another round of antacids.