Stomach ache is a very common health condition, and almost everyone experiences it at some stage of their life. In most cases, stomach pain occurs due to bad eating habits and digestion problems. Usually, it is not considered a serious health condition and can easily be resolved using several natural remedies. And, here we are going to discuss the same. If you are also frequently suffering from stomach pain and looking for effective solutions, keep reading. This article aims to provide the best natural remedies for stomach ache that you can easily find at home.
But, before you proceed further, please remember that you should not opt for these remedies if your stomach pain has been consistent for the last few days. It is probably a sign of an underlying health issue that requires your doctor’s attention.
Common Causes Of Stomach Ache
Stomach pain can occur for multiple reasons, but some of the most common causes include gas, constipation, food intolerance, poisoning, indigestion, and intolerance.
Stomach pain can also arise due to some underlying health conditions that can only be treated by professional medical treatment, including:
- Acid reflux
- Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as spastic colon
- Crohn’s disease
- Vomiting
- Gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu
- Appendicitis
- Urinary tract infections
- Kidney stones
- Pancreatitis
- Celiac disease
- Strained muscles
- Menstrual cramps
7 Best Natural Remedies For Stomach Ache
If your stomach pain isn’t caused by any underlying disease, then there are a few natural remedies for stomach ache that you can use to ease your pain.
1. Ginger
Ginger is known to be one of the most effective natural remedies that can help various health conditions such as stomach pain, cramping, gas, and bloating. It contains multiple anti-inflammatory properties that promote a healthy gut and ease problems like nausea, gas, and bloating.
If you are having an upset stomach, try adding ginger to your diet. You can consume ginger in many ways, but its tea is known to be the most effective. However, you can also opt for options like ginger chews or supplements as they can provide the same benefits.
Ginger is generally considered safe to consume, but avoid consuming it in large amounts as it increases the risk of side effects like heartburn, burping, diarrhea, etc.
2. BRAT Diet
If you are suffering from stomach-related problems like nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting, then a BRAT diet may help you. In case you don’t know, the BRAT diet stands for banana, rice, applesauce, and toast.
This diet is primarily recommended for people suffering from health issues like diarrhea. The foods that this diet consists of are easy to digest and also consist of starch, which helps in solidifying the stool.
3. Use a Heating Pad
A heating pad is considered the simplest yet effective way to ease discomfort compared to other natural remedies for stomach ache.
The main logic behind using a heating pad is that its heat helps the movement in your digestive tract and distress the stomach’s outer muscles.
You can also use a hot towel if you don’t have a heating pad. Just make sure the temperature is not too high. Keep the object on your stomach for at least 15 minutes. More than that is not considered safe.
4. Baking Soda
Many health experts believe that consuming baking soda can help in neutralizing the stomach acid and ease stomach pain, and heartburn.
Add a teaspoon of baking soda in 1⁄2 cup of warm water, mix well and drink it slowly. Ensure not to over-ingest baking soda as it can lead to serious health issues like irritability, vomiting, slow breathing, diarrhea, muscle twitching, etc.
5. Aloe Vera Juice
Another one of the powerful natural remedies for stomach ache is aloe vera juice. It has been used for a long time to cure an upset stomach.
Aloe vera consists of multiple beneficial properties like vitamin C, enzymes, amino acids, saponin, etc., which helps stomach ulcers, gut inflammation, constipation and overall digestion.
You can either make aloe vera juice at home, or buy it from the market.
Also, avoid excess consumption of aloe vera juice as it won’t do any good but may worsen your stomach ache. Begin with small amounts, especially if you are drinking aloe vera juice for the first time.
Note – Aloe vera juice provides many health benefits, but a few people should not consume it, for instance, pregnant women and people who are allergic to plants. Also, if you are already suffering from a disease, it’s good to talk to your doctor before consuming aloe vera juice. It will help you avoid any possible risks.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar might not be good in taste but has the potential to neutralize your stomach pain. It can provide many benefits like relief from bloating and gas, improves gut health and overall digestion.
Just make sure you do not consume apple cider vinegar directly, as it can lead to conditions like Erosive Dental Disease and irritated throat. Always dilute apple cider vinegar with some warm water before consumption.
7. Peppermint
Peppermint is known to be one of the best natural remedies for stomach ache. It contains properties that help you relieve stomach discomfort and also provide other health benefits like reducing stress, enhancing mental functionality, treating colds and coughs, etc.
Nowadays, many forms of peppermint are available in the market, for example, toothpaste, gum, and tea. You can use any of them, but peppermint tea is known to be the most effective.
Is There Any Way To Prevent Stomach Pain?
As we mentioned above, stomach pain can occur due to many reasons, and not all of them are in your control. The only thing that is in your control is your lifestyle.
You have to integrate a few habits into your lifestyle that help in reducing the risks of stomach pain, which includes the following:
Monitor Your Diet
Remove all the junk or processed foods like burger, chips, french fries, etc., from your diet. These types of food are generally spicy, deep fried, and high in fats, which puts extra pressure on our digestive system and increases the risk of stomach pain, constipation and heartburn.
Chew Your Food Properly
The way you eat also has an impact on your stomach’s health. For example, having big bites and not chewing them properly may leave the food undigested. It can cause bacteria growth in your intestine, leading to conditions like stomach pain, constipation, bloating, etc.
Always chew your food properly to produce more digestive enzymes, and help your body in digestion.
Drink More Water
Your body needs a good amount of water to digest the food properly and keep the gut working appropriately. Not drinking enough water can lead to constipation which ultimately causes various conditions like stomach ache, bloating and cramps.
Therefore, drink an adequate amount of water every day to reduce the chances of stomach pain. According to the Mayo Clinic, a male should consume at least 3.7 liters of liquid per day, and a female should try to touch the mark of 2.7 liters.
Also, ensure that you only include liquids that are healthy for your body. Liquids like carbonated sodas in your diet will not help but may increase the chances of stomach pain.
Drinks that contain alcohol and caffeine can also cause stomach pain for some people. If you feel any discomfort from them, try to reduce their consumption.
Stay Hygienic
One of the causes of stomach pain is gastroenteritis, which is generally caused due to the spreading of bacteria in the stomach. It can lead to many health conditions, which include stomach pain as well.
So,please keep the simple habit of washing your hands frequently throughout the day, especially before you have your meals in order to reduce the risks of stomach pain.
Manage Stress
Stress or anxiety can also be one of the reasons for your stomach ache, stated by Uchicago Medicine. If you constantly engage in stressful situations, it’s time to take a break or at least find a way out.
Introduce healthy habits like exercise, meditation or yoga into your lifestyle to maintain a peaceful mind and overall health.
Avoid Dairy Products
If you are someone who experiences stomach discomfort after consuming dairy products, then most likely you have lactose intolerance. Generally, dairy products are known to be safe, but people with lactose intolerance should avoid them as they can lead to many stomach problems like bloating, gas, cramps, diarrhea, etc.
What To Do If Your Stomach Pain Does Not Go Away?
Even after trying natural remedies for stomach ache, if you still feel discomfort in your stomach, chances are high that there’s an underlying health issue causing the pain.
You can follow a rule of thumb: if your stomach pain doesn’t go away within 30 minutes and gets severe with time, it might indicate a serious health condition requiring immediate medical help.
However, it is not the only case when you should seek medical help, but there are a few other signs that demonstrate serious stomach pain that requires medical treatment:
- Abdomen sensitive to touch
- Hardened abdominal
- Stomach pain accompanied by chest pain
- Feeling dizziness
- Experiencing pain in other body areas like the shoulder or neck.
- Constant vomiting
- Not being able to breathe properly.
- Pain that begins in the middle of your belly and takes a right turn, indicating the sign of appendicitis.
- Pain in the lower stomach and signs like vomiting, nausea, and fever can indicate serious health conditions like Kidney Stones.
If you have stomach pain and experience any of the above-mentioned signs, go to the nearest ER immediately so that the cause can be diagnosed and your treatment can begin at the right time.
Note – How bad your pain is doesn’t always reflect the seriousness of the situation. For example, you may experience acute stomach pain due to stomach cramps or gas, not caused by any serious condition. On the other hand, you may experience mild or almost no pain in serious health conditions like colon cancer or early stages of appendicitis.
Conclusion
Natural remedies can be an effective solution to cure mild stomach pain. They contain elements that help soothe your stomach discomfort while providing other health benefits as well.
Keep in mind that these natural remedies for stomach ache should only be used in non-serious cases. If your pain has been consistent for the past few days, it’s recommended to seek medical help.
Also, if you are already suffering from any other medical condition, make sure to discuss it with your doctor before trying any natural remedy for your stomach ache. They can help eliminate any associated risks and recommend the most suitable solution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Fruit Is Good For Stomach Pain?
Bananas are considered best to ease stomach pain. They consist of natural antacids and help digestive system.
Can My Stomach Ache Last For Days?
Stomach ache caused by viruses or bacteria usually resolves within 1-2 days. But, if it is caused by an underlying health issue, then it can last for more than two days and requires immediate medical help.
Is Milk Okay For Stomach Pain?
There was a time when doctors advised drinking milk to relieve stomach pain, but it’s not relevant anymore. Over time studies have established that milk may relieve stomach pain for a short period of time but makes the condition worse in the long run.