How to Relieve a Stomach Ache
Stomach aches are often caused by eating too much, too quickly, or eating too many rich, fatty or spicy foods. They can also be caused by excess stress, trapped gas, food poisoning, or the flu. If your stomach ache does not feel better within 24 hours, you need to see a doctor, because it could also be a symptom of appendicitis, an ulcer or gallstones.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
-
-
1
Take a sugar cube and put a drop of peppermint oil on it. Suck on the sugar cube until it dissolves completely. Peppermint oil is great at relieving stomach aches. In the past, peppermint oil was used to flavor after dinner mints because it aids in digestions. Today's peppermint candies do not contain peppermint oil, though, so they do not relieve stomach pain.
-
2
Drink ginger beer or ginger soda, or try sucking on a piece of fresh ginger. A cup of ginger tea or a couple ginger snap cookies might also help. Most commercially sold ginger ales do not have as much ginger in them as the beer and soda.
-
3
Sip a cup of peppermint or chamomile tea if your stomach is upset. Both of these teas soothe upset stomachs, reduce gas and help the stomach to calm down so spasms stop. If you are experiencing heartburn with your stomach ache, though, stick to chamomile, because the peppermint might aggravate the heartburn.
-
4
Mix 2 to 3 tbsp. of activated charcoal into a glass of water. Stir it gently with a spoon to avoid making the powder fly out of the glass. Drink it through a straw to help relieve your stomach ache. Activated charcoal is sold in most health food stores.
-
5
Lay down and elevate your feet on a couple of pillows. Close your eyes and do some deep breathing. Applying a heating pad to your stomach while you are lying down might also give you relief from your stomach ache.
-
6
Turn over and lay on your stomach if your stomach ache feels like it is caused by trapped gas. Putting pressure on your stomach may cause the gas to move around and come out, giving you relief from the pain.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
See a doctor if you experience sever abdominal pain that comes on suddenly, or if you are experiencing rectal bleeding, vomiting or fever. You should also see a doctor if your stomach ache lasts for more than 24 hours.
