How To Get Rid Of A Stomach Ache: 15 Long And Short-Term Solutions, According To Experts

Thanks to their menthol content, both spearmint and peppermint can soothe the pain of a stomach ache. Menthol has been shown to relax the muscles in the GI tract, says Dr. Herrera.

But if you're experiencing acid reflux, it's best to avoid these. "It can worsen reflux by relaxing the sphincter, which keeps stomach contents out of the esophagus," he explains.

Pros: You can get similar benefits from peppermint oil, which can improve irritable bowel and decrease abdominal pain, says Dr. Close. It’s also known to relieve gas and bloating.

Cons: Peppermint is one of the foods that have been known to make acid reflux and heartburn worse.

Another simple cure may be waiting for you in your kitchen: Ginger root has a long history of being used as a cure for an upset stomach.

The reason ginger works so well for digestion has never been precisely identified, but some say it speeds up the pace at which food moves into the small intestine from the stomach.

"[When] I've eaten too much and feel nauseated, I'll have ginger tea to soothe my stomach," says Charlene Prather, MD, an associate professor of gastroenterology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. "It's really easy to make—I just grate fresh ginger in water and add a little honey and it takes care of it."

Pros: Ginger, in general, can help improve nausea and upper abdominal pain. It’s perfect for anyone that would prefer to lean on natural remedies as a first step. You can also take ginger supplements or ginger oil as an alternative, says Dr. Close.

Cons: Ginger can increase bowel movements, so if you’re experiencing diarrhea, something that would lead to more time in the bathroom might not be ideal, notes Dr. Nazareth.

If you’re having trouble passing stool, taking on a form of light exercise can lead to better bowel movement. BTW, that doesn’t mean you need to go do a HIIT workout. “Just moving the body helps with peristalsis (or movements of the intestines),” says Dr. Nazareth.

Still, it’s important to listen to your body. If your symptoms are not allowing you to work out, don’t force it and consider other remedies that might feel more comfortable.

Pros: Consistent exercise can prevent a lack of bowel movement and constipation.

Cons: Doing heavy exercise can cause blood to flow into whatever part of the body is being worked, which draws blood away from the stomach, where it may be needed for digestion, says Dr. Nazareth. Working out right after eating can also lead to cramps

The digestive system's natural contractions are felt more severely on an empty stomach. Without food, the stomach becomes a gastric echo chamber. Hunger pangs serve a handy purpose: They're like a text message from the stomach to the brain telling it that it's time to pursue nourishment.

And although it can be easy to get caught up in a busy schedule, it would be more beneficial to listen to your body when it’s hungry.

Pros: If you already have a stomach ache that’s due to hunger, eating regular meals will reduce any pain and lessen the chances of experiencing discomfort as frequently.

Eating spicy foods before bed is a common culprit of acid reflux, as is eating too much or too fast, smoking, and imbibing heavily. But nearly anything can make you feel the burn and result in a stomach ache.

"This condition often hits at night, when you're in the lying-down position," says Minh Nguyen, MD, a gastroenterologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

She recommends a prescription medicine or an over-the-counter antacid like Prilosec. But if you don't want to rely on drugs, cut back on the known triggers can prevent this from happening in the long run.

Pros: Since spicy foods are known for causing stomach aches, avoiding them will minimize the chances of making the pain worse or help you avoid having any issues altogether.

If in addition to a stomach ache, you're experiencing other symptoms of constipation, such as bloating or gas, add more fiber to your diet. Fill your plate with more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and beans, or kick-start your day with a high-fiber cereal.

FYI, constipation is very common in women, says Irwin Grosman, MD, the associate chief of gastroenterology at NYP Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. "There's a theory that there's a hormonal difference between men and women, and [that] women take longer to digest and eliminate food," he adds.

Pros: Getting enough fiber is essential on several fronts. “Aside from preventing constipation, it also decreases the risk of colon cancer. Insoluble fiber also acts as prebiotic, regulates the intestinal gut floor, and feeds beneficial bacteria,” says Dr. Close.

Cons: Adding more fiber to a meal or two probably isn't going to be immediately effective. This is more of a long-term play.

On the flip side, if you're dealing with green poop and an upset stomach, veggies could be to blame. "Our dietary vegetable intake is usually the cause of green stool. Stomach aches in this setting can usually be remedied by avoiding major gas-producing vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts," says Dr. Herrera. Minimize the amount you eat until you feel better.

Pros: Similarly to avoiding spicy foods, ditching foods (specifically vegetables) that are known to produce gas can help settle an upset stomach or avoid one altogether.

Cons: You'll want to ensure you're getting enough of the nutrients you'd otherwise be getting through these veggies through other sources.

If you have a gas problem that you think is causing your stomach pain, take an OTC drug like Mylanta Gas. Beano is another good option, says Michael Wolfe, MD, the chair of the Case Western Reserve University department of medicine at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. That's especially if veggies aren't friendly to your system, since it breaks down raffinose, a sugar byproduct in plants that can be tough to digest.

ICYMI, gas is caused by two things: eating gas-forming foods such as green vegetables, fruits with peels on them, carbonated beverages, cabbage, and beans; or by swallowing air, explains Michael Wolfe, MD, the chair of the Case Western Reserve University department of medicine at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. "People [take in extra air] when they drink with straws, talk with their mouths full, eat too fast, or when they're nervous," he says.

If it's diarrhea that's the cause of your woes, and it strikes at a bad time or if it's so frequent that it keeps you up at night, you could try some Pepto-Bismol, per Amit Bhan, MD, a gastroenterologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. The pink liquid will attack the diarrhea-causing bacteria in your system, so you can rest and function during the day. You can also take Imodium, which works by slowing down the speed at which fluids flow through your intestines.

Pros: Using an over-the-counter medication might help you target a stomach ache quickly.

Cons: Some people would prefer to not take OTC medication. In this case, there are herbal medications and supplements such as IBGard.

When you go for a run (or really, do any type of workout), you might feel that little pinch of pain in your side. That’s typically musculoskeletal pain caused by dehydration or eating too much before you started your sweat session, says Rita Knotts, MD, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health.

So drink up. And next time, before you begin exercising, Dr. Knotts suggests making sure you have some time to digest. Give yourself at least an hour (better yet, a couple) after a meal.

Pros: Drinking water will prevent dehydration and promote smooth digestion. It’s also a better alternative to drinks that contain bubbles or other ingredients that might prolong a stomach ache.

Mild stomach aches can go away on their own if you wait a little. This also applies when dealing with diarrhea, which could be a symptom of mild food poisoning.

While this can totally happen at your neighborhood sushi joint, it's also super common when you travel overseas. That's because your body has to adjust to the new bacteria in the food and water you're consuming away from home.

Being patient is the best thing you can do in these scenarios. "You need to let your body flush itself," says Dr. Bhan.

Pros: Unless the pain is acute, giving your stomach some time to settle might avoid some potential anxiety that stems from throwing the kitchen sink at the problem.

Cons: You may not feel like you’re being proactive about your symptoms by just waiting for your symptoms to subside.

Sometimes a digestive disease, like gastritis or a peptic ulcer, may be responsible for indigestion. But more commonly, chronic indigestion is known as functional dyspepsia—or indigestion without a known health problem behind it, per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

If you're looking for a long-term solution, Dr. Knotts recommends trying cognitive behavioral therapy or acupuncture, since the indigestion could be caused by stress.

Pros: This approach can also be helpful for people who have chronic functional abdominal pain, says Dr. Close. Reducing stress and anxiety can improve the overall health and function of the GI tract.

Cons: Again, this one isn’t going to be a quick fix.

"This diet has been shown to be effective in managing stomach pain and bloating in patients with irritable bowel syndrome because it eliminates many gas-producing foods," Dr. Herrera says. (This is an elimination diet, so you'll want to do this under the supervision of a healthcare provider.)

Pros: A low-FODMAP diet can potentially alleviate the symptoms of stomach aches, bloating, and other GI problems by limiting your intake of fermentable carbs.

Cons: This might not be an immediate course of action, as you should speak with your doctor before implementing it into your daily routine.

This is especially important for people who are prone to acid reflux. "Lying down too quickly will result in stomach contents moving into the esophagus, which results in an unpleasant feeling of pressure or pain, along with a bitter taste," says Dr. Herrera. Schedule your last meal of the day to be at least three hours before lying down or going to bed, per Dr. Kia.

Pros: Not eating three hours before bed can prevent you from silently regurgitating through the night, which would lead to more reflux symptoms and inflammation of the esophagus the next day.

If you deal with constant stomach issues like bloating, yogurt can help keep your digestive system in shape.

As long as you've ruled out lactose intolerance, try eating yogurt with "live and active cultures" (look for this phrase on the label), which can help regulate your digestive system.

Pros: Yogurt has probiotics, which can help fight any harmful bacteria. It can also help restore the microbiome in the gut, says Dr. Nazareth.

Cons: Yogurt won’t provide a quick-fix, but it can be a good preventative measure.

Burping is actually a natural reflex response to increased gas in your system, Dr. Knotts says. Foods or beverages that promote gas (think: carbonated beverages) may be to blame. Dr. Knotts suggests avoiding bubbles, so swap soda or beer for water or wine.

Pros: While some people like to reach for a ginger ale, that’s not always the best idea. Carbonated drinks generally don’t affect everyone negatively, but staying clear from them while having a stomach ache can prevent increased gas in the gut.