Twelve home remedies for stomach pain

This pain can vary in intensity and affect different areas of the abdomen.

A number of home remedies can help resolve stomach and abdominal pain, such as drinking water and avoiding spicy foods. If these do not help, over-the-counter and prescription remedies are available.

Common symptoms of an upset stomach and indigestion include:

• heartburn, or acid reflux

• nausea

• bloating

• gas

• belching, sometimes bringing up bitter or foul-tasting fluid or food

• farting

• bad-smelling or sour breath

• hiccupping or coughing

This article looks at 12 of the most popular home remedies for an upset stomach and indigestion. We also explain when to see a doctor.

What is stomach pain?                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Stomach pain is a pain or an ache that a person experiences anywhere between the chest and groin.

This pain can vary in intensity and affect different areas of the abdomen, such as the:

• appendix

• liver

• gallbladder

• stomach

• pancreas

• bowel

Stomach pain can vary in intensity and has a variety of causes.

Causes of stomach pain

Abdominal pain may be due to more common causes such as gas, indigestion, constipation, and diarrhea. Infectious illnesses such as the flu may also cause abdominal pain.

More uncommon causes include trusted Sources:

• pneumonia

• myocardial infarction

• strangulated hernia

• peritonitis

• bowel obstruction

• appendicitis

• pancreatitis

• kidney stones

• ovarian cysts

Learn more about the causes of abdominal pain here.

Twelve home remedies

There are several popular home remedies for indigestion. Some remedies may also benefit stomach upset from other sources, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

1. Drinking water

The body needs water to efficiently digest and absorb nutrients from foods and beverages. Being dehydrated makes digestion more difficult and less effective, which increases the likelihood of an upset stomach.

Additionally, drinking water may help reduce heartburn.

The National Health Service in the United Kingdom recommends that males and females drink 6-8 cups of water a day. However, other organizations’ recommendations may vary, such as drinking 4-6 cups of water per day.

Around 20 percent of this will come from food, with the rest coming from beverages. For most people, a good figure to aim for is approximately 8 or more cups of water a day. Younger children require slightly less water than adults:

• Children 1-3 years old: 4 cups of water a day.

• Children 4-8 years old: 5 cups of water a day.

• Children 8 years of age and older: 7-8 cups of water a day.

For those with digestive issues, it is imperative to stay hydrated. Vomiting and diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration, so people with these symptoms should keep drinking water.

Pros and cons

Drinking water can help with digestion and prevent dehydration.

However, some people may forget to drink water throughout the day. Additionally, some people may prefer the taste of other beverages.

2. Avoiding lying down

Avoiding lying down may prevent indigestion from becoming heartburn.

When the body is horizontal, the acid in the stomach is more likely to travel backward and move upward, which can cause heartburn.

People with an upset stomach should avoid lying down or going to bed for at least a few hours until it passes.

Pros and cons

Avoiding lying down may be a convenient remedy if a person performs daily activities.

However, this remedy may not be suitable if a person experiences stomach pain during the time they rest or sleep.

3. Ginger

Ginger may help to reduce trusted Source nausea and vomiting in people who are pregnant or those who undergo chemotherapy.

People with an upset stomach could try adding ginger to their food or drinking it as tea. Some all-natural ginger ales may also contain enough ginger to settle an upset stomach.