These are the best home remedies to get rid of an upset stomach as soon as possible. (2023)

Mild abdominal pain may go away on its own if you wait a bit. This also applies if you have diarrhoea, which could be a symptom ofpoisoned food.

While this can certainly happen at your neighborhood sushi shop, it's also all too common when traveling abroad. That's because your body has to adjust to the new bacteria in the food and water you consume along the way.

Patience is the best thing you can do in these scenarios. "You have to have a flushed body," she says.amit bhan, MD, gastroenterologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

ICYMI,GasIt is caused by two things: eating gas-producing foods, such as green vegetables, fruits with skin, carbonated drinks, cabbage, and beans; or swallowing air, explainedmiguel lobos, MD, President, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

"People take in more air when they drink through straws, talk with their mouths full, eat too fast, or when they're nervous," she adds.

If you have a gas problem that you think is causing stomach pain, take an over-the-counter medicine like Mylanta Gas. Beano, says Dr. Wolfe, is another good option, especially if vegetables aren't good for your body: They break down raffinose, a sugar byproduct in plants that can be hard to digest.

dr. Bhan recommends going back to some Pepto-Bismol if the diarrhea comes at an awkward time or is so frequent that he keeps you up at night. The pink liquid attacks the diarrhea-causing bacteria in your system, allowing you to rest and function throughout the day. He may also take Imodium, which works by slowing the rate at which fluids pass through the intestines.

sure you expectelectric shockaround the time of your period, but nausea, upset stomach, and diarrhea? It is actually quite normal for the entire abdominal region to go crazy during menstruation, according tonancy cossler, MD, OB/GYN, and Superintendent of Obstetrics System Quality at Ohio University Hospital.

"Hormones cause the uterine muscle to contract, which leads to cramping," she says. "It's perfectly normal for your stomach to cramp and cause an upset stomach or diarrhea [around your period]."

To ease cramps, take an ibuprofen 12 to 24 hours before your period, says Dr. Cossler. Then take the prescribed amount every three to six hours for three days.

If you struggle with ongoing stomach issues like bloating,yoghurtit can help keep your digestive system in tip-top shape.

Gas, while annoying, is usually not a cause for concern. "Don't worry," says David C. Metz, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. "Everything from menstruation toconstipationcan cause it."

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

Sometimes stomach pain can lead to other pain, such as heartburn, irritation of the esophagus that feels like it's burning, or tightness from stomach contents being pushed up into the esophagus.

Home remedy that you already have: milk. "When I have heartburn I drink a glass of milk," he saysJeffrey A. Katz, MD, gastroenterologist at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. "Milk neutralizes the acid produced by the stomach."

Eating spicy food before bed is a common cause of acid reflux, as are eating too much or too fast, smoking, and excessive drinking. But almost anything can cause you to feel the burning sensation and lead to abdominal pain.

"This condition often occurs at night when you're in the reclining position," she says.Minh Nguyen, MD, a gastroenterologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. The acid travels from the stomach into the esophagus and throat, causing heartburn or sore throat and coughing fits.

dr. Nguyen recommends a prescription medication or an over-the-counter antacid like Prilosec. But if he doesn't want to be dependent on medication, he reduces known triggers.

You may have a simple remedy waiting in your kitchen: Ginger root has long been used successfully as an upset stomach remedy.

The reason why ginger is so good for digestion has never been precisely identified, but some say that it speeds up the speed at which food travels from the stomach to the small intestine.

"[When] I've eaten too much and feel nauseous, I drink ginger tea to settle my stomach," says Charlene Prather, MD, associate professor of gastroenterology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. "It's really easy to make: I just grate fresh ginger into water and add a bit of honey and it heals itself."

No sugar topping: If you experience soreness after a meal, you probably ate too fast, too much, or the wrong thing.

The quick fix: Ditch the fast food and slow down at the table. Unless you're a junk food addict and still feel sick afterward, it's unlikely, but you could have gallbladder disease. "Women get it more often than men, and some get gallstones for no reason," he says.frank marrero, MD, a gastroenterologist at Lake Charles Memorial Health System in Louisiana. Go to the doctor to rule it out.

Rumor has it that you have to walk number two three times a day to have a healthy gut. The truth? Everyone poops, but not with the same frequency.

Still, constipation is very common in women, says Irwin Grosman, MD, associate chief of gastroenterology at NYP Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. “There is a theory that there is a hormonal difference between men and women and that women take longer to digest and eliminate food,” he adds.

The bottom line: If you're not walking every day, you're not sweating. But if you have other constipation symptoms like bloating or gas,add more fiberto your diet. Fill your plate with more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans, and start your day with a high-fiber granola.

The natural contractions of the digestive system are felt more on an empty stomach. Without food, the stomach becomes the gastric echo chamber.

hunger pangsthey serve a practical purpose: they're like a text message from the stomach to the brain, telling it it's time to watch your diet.

So make sure you eat. But be careful, because in rare cases a stomach ache can indicate something other than hunger. "Sometimes people get a throbbing pain that gets better as you eat," says Dr. Mark Babyatsky, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine in New York. "It could be an ulcer. If it persists, see a doctor. If you've always had it, it could just be your appetite." Stay satisfied by eating smaller meals throughout the day.

Sometimes a digestive disease like gastritis or a stomach ulcer can be to blame for indigestion. But more commonly, chronic indigestion is known as functional dyspepsia, or indigestion without a known health problem behind it.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

After you've ruled out underlying medical conditions with your doctor, an over-the-counter antacid should help settle your tummy, he says.rita knots, MD, gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health.

If you're looking for a long-term solution, Dr. Knotts, try cognitive behavioral therapy or acupuncture, as indigestion can be caused by stress.

Burping is actually a natural reflex response to increased gas in your system, says Dr. Knots. Foods or drinks that promote bloating (think fizzy drinks) may be to blame.

dr. Knotts suggests avoiding blisters, so swap out soda or beer for water or wine. Try to keep high-fiber foods in small portions and eat them slowly so your body can break them down better.

When you go for a run (or really do any kind of exercise), you might feel that little pain in your side. It's usually musculoskeletal pain caused by dehydration or eating too much before you've started your sweat session, says Dr. Knots.

So drink up. And next time, before you start working out, Dr. Knotts suggests making sure you have some time to digest. Give yourself at least an hour (or slightly better) after a meal.

Chamomile can relieve symptoms of an upset stomach, such as nausea and vomiting.

It contains bisabolol, which according to Dr. Herrera has anti-inflammatory properties and relaxes the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract. Chamomile also has other anti-inflammatory compounds like azulene, chamazulene, and matricin.

Thanks to their menthol content, both spearmint and spearmint can help relieve abdominal pain. Menthol has been shown to relax muscles in the GI tract, says Dr. Herrera.

But if you suffer from acid reflux, it's best to avoid it. "You can make reflux worse by relaxing the sphincter muscle that keeps stomach contents out of the esophagus," he explains.

You just can't go? Aloe can act as a laxative, which is helpful for people with stomach aches due to constipation, says Dr. Herrera.

Aloe juice may bring relief to people suffering from acid reflux by reducing the frequency of symptoms associated with the condition, according to a 2015 study published inJournal of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

"This diet has been shown to be effective in treating stomach pain and bloating in patients with irritable bowel syndrome because it eliminates many gas-producing foods," says Dr. Herrera.

A low FODMAP dietYou can relieve symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, and other gastrointestinal problems by restricting your intake of fermentable carbohydrates. (This is an elimination diet, so it should be done under the supervision of a health care provider.)