Stomach Ache: Quick Help and Real Answers

Stomach pain is one of those problems that can ruin a day fast. It might be a simple case of indigestion, or it could be something that needs medical care. Here I’ll give you clear, practical steps to ease pain, common causes, what to avoid, and the red flags that mean you should see a doctor right away.

Simple first steps you can try now

If your stomach ache started recently and isn’t severe, try these safe moves: stop eating for a few hours, sip small amounts of water, and rest. Warmth helps—use a hot water bottle or warm towel on your belly for 15–20 minutes. Try sipping ginger tea or a weak peppermint tea if you think the pain comes from gas or indigestion. Over-the-counter antacids can help heartburn or acid reflux; simethicone can ease trapped gas.

Don’t push food on a stomach that’s actively cramping or vomiting. Avoid dairy, alcohol, caffeine, greasy or spicy foods for the next 24 hours. If you’re on blood thinners or other prescriptions, check with your pharmacist before taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen—those can make certain problems worse.

Common causes and how to spot them

Here are the usual suspects and what they often feel like: indigestion or acid reflux—burning or upper belly discomfort after eating; gas—sharp, moving pains that improve after passing gas or a bowel movement; food poisoning—sudden cramps with vomiting and diarrhea a few hours after eating; constipation—tight, crampy pain with hard stools and infrequent bowel movements; menstrual cramps—lower belly pain that comes with your period; and infections like stomach flu—general aches, fever, and watery diarrhea.

If pain is steady and focused in one spot (especially lower right or upper right), is getting worse, or is paired with a high fever, fainting, bloody stools, or repeated vomiting, get medical help fast. These may be signs of appendicitis, gallbladder problems, or serious infections.

Kids and babies need extra care. If a baby won’t feed, is very sleepy, has a swollen belly, or has blood in stool, call your pediatrician or go to urgent care. For toddlers, watch for high fever, persistent crying, or inability to keep liquids down.

If you get stomach pain often, keep a short diary: what you ate, when pain started, how long it lasted, and any medicines you took. That info is useful for your doctor and can speed up finding the cause.

Questions? Want a quick checklist to print or save? Tap the tag posts on this page for related guides on medicines, safe online pharmacy tips, and condition-specific articles that can help you decide the next step.