Natural remedies for upset stomach and vomiting

Stomach aches are the worst. One minute you are totally fine, the next you are curled up on the couch, unable to move. Common symptoms like bloating, gas, and nausea may have you googling how to get rid of a stomach ache ASAP. While the idea of standard cures that work in all cases of belly pain is so appealing, what you need to make it go away depends on what is causing it in the first place.

FYI, stomach aches can occur whenever there is irritation of the stomach lining, says Henry Herrera, MD, a gastroenterologist at DHR Health Gastroenterology in Texas. Whether you indulged on too much spicy food, drank one too many cocktails at happy hour, or overdid it on desserts (hello, Girl Scout cookies), a number of reasons could contribute to discomfort in your abdomen.

Before reaching for the nearest remedy you could find, you should know some of the fixes you came across online may not help and even make you feel worse. For example, the bubbles and sugar in ginger ale can feed the bad bacteria making you sick, so swap it for ginger tea instead. You’ll also want to ditch that lemon water. “Keep in mind that acidic foods also tend to be associated with increases in reflux symptoms,” explains Dr. Herrera.

How long does a stomach ache last?

Stomach aches usually don't last that long, maybe one to two hours. And they typically subside on their own. But how long it lasts is not really an indicator of whether it's benign or something more serious, says Leila Kia, MD, a gastroenterologist at Northwestern Medicine.

“There are other factors that must be considered, such as the character of the pain, intensity, and location along with associated symptoms,” she notes. “Association with meals or certain foods, a patient's medication history, the timing of the pain, and other medical problems are all important factors in assessing the cause of a stomach ache.”

If the pain does not improve with ​over-the-counter meds, is waking you up in bed, accompanied by weight loss, blood in your stool, vomiting, or fevers, you should definitely check in with your doctor.

Feeling a rumble down below and aren't sure how to properly get rid of your stomach ache? Try one of these remedies.

Upset stomach or indigestion is very common nowadays! Everyone suffers from this one or another day. Also, there is nothing more uncomfortable than an upset stomach. This feeling of stomach discomfort increased now may be due to lack of physical activity. The covid-19 pandemic has given a sudden break to our life including our physical activity. The new culture of work disturbed our daily routine somehow. That is one of the causes that most of us facing stomach upset problem daily basis.  

In medical terms, an upset stomach is also called dyspepsia that describes discomfort in your upper abdomen. An upset stomach is not a disorder but a bunch of digestive disorder symptoms that make you uncomfortable. It can also be a symptom of another digestive tract disease.

Causes of an upset stomach 

• Overeating or fast eating 
• Abdominal pain
• Alcohol consumption
• Eating fast food, spicy food
• Smoking 
• Medication-induced indigestion such as antibiotics, painkillers, etc. 
• Pathological cause – peptic ulcer, gastritis, hyperacidity, etc. 
• Anxiety 

Symptoms of upset stomach 

• The fullness of the stomach during and after a meal
• Burning in upper abdomen and belching
• Bloated feeling in abdomen 
• Nausea and vomiting

Treatment for upset stomach 

There are different types of treatments as per the underlying cause. Lifestyle changes may help ease indigestion by avoiding spicy food or eliminating the use of alcohol. If indigestion persists, the doctor may prescribe you some medications. 

Home remedies for upset stomach 

1: Drinking water 

It is said that water is the ultimate solution for every problem so for an upset stomach. The body needs water to absorb essential nutrients and helps to eliminate the toxic substance from your body. Being dehydrated may lead to stomach upset due to vomiting and diarrhea. The increased amount of acid in your stomach may cause stomach burning. 

Drinking plenty of water may eliminate the acid from your digestive tract that gives you a soothing effect. 

2: Lemon water 

Lemon water is an excellent option in indigestion. We always opt for lemon water whenever we feel abdominal discomfort. The alkaline effect of lemon helps in soothing the excess acidity in the stomach.

3: Baking soda and lemon drink

It is an easy and the best option for indigestion. You can mix lemon juice in water with a pinch of baking soda that may help to relieve digestive complaints. The drink produces carbonic acid in the stomach, causing the reduction of indigestion and gas. The acid in lemon also reduces the acid secretion in your stomach.

4: Mint 

Mint leaves contain menthol that helps to make your stomach calm and reduce indigestion problems. It also helps in reducing muscle spasms in the intestines and relieve pain. Mint is a traditional treatment for indigestion in Asian countries. 

Mint leaves can be consumed raw or cooked. They can boil with cardamom and make tea or can be mix with other beverages. 

Ginger used since ancient times for cold, cough, nausea, vomiting, and pain. It contains chemicals called-gingerols and shogaols. These chemicals can help speed up stomach contractions leads to reduce abdominal pain. 

You can peel and chop fresh ginger root to make chews if you can handle the strong ginger smell. Also, you can add them to beverages or food. 

6: Cinnamon 

Cinnamon sticks are rich in various antioxidants such as camphor, cinnamaldehyde, linalool, and eugenol. It helps your stomach to digest the food easily. It helps to treat symptoms like bloating, nausea, and fullness of the abdomen. 

People with upset stomachs can add 1 tsp of cinnamon powder or one small stick to their meal to get relief. 

7: Cumin

Cumin seeds are one of the best solutions for an upset stomach when you want instant results. It helps in reducing hyperacidity, gaseous distention of the abdomen, and pain.

Take a tsp of cumin seeds, some dry coconut, and two garlic cloves. Mix them and consume them at once. It will help to reduce the uncomfortable feeling in the stomach instantly. 

8: Banana 

Banana contains various vitamins, folate, and potassium. It may help to reduce the acids in your stomach and give you a soothing relief from hyperacidity. Bananas can also help by adding bulk to loose stools, which can alleviate diarrhoea.

Though we can manage the various symptoms of an upset stomach at home. It is also essential to check underlying causes and intensity. These factors will define whether you need home remedies or consult a doctor. For mild symptoms, adding plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet and reducing alcohol intake will almost certainly get you on the road to health.

When To Seek Professional Help for Upset Stomach

If your stomach ache is persistent with no signs of improvement and lasts for more than several days, it is time to get professional help as this may be a sign of a more serious ailment that requires immediate medical attention.

Sudden and severe stomach aches can be the root cause of serious problems that may worsen if medical help is not sought immediately. You should see your doctor immediately, especially if the pain has been concentrated in a single area. Some of the reasons for stomach ache are as follows:

• Appendicitis: When the appendix in the body gets swelled, aggravated or inflamed, it may cause some serious ache in the lower right-hand side of your stomach. In such a case, the appendix may have to be removed by surgical methods, so immediate attention from the doctor is needed.
  
• Stomach ulcer bleeding: A sore in the stomach lining or small intestine can lead to a perforated stomach ulcer, which can lead to bleeding. If not taken care of under medical supervision, the condition may worsen.
  
• Gallbladder inflammation: Gallbladder inflammation is often caused by gallstones, which may lead to acute cholecystitis if immediate medical attention is not given. In such severe cases, the gallbladder may have to be removed.
  
• Kidney stones: Kidney stones are usually small concretions that mostly pass, if you have them, through your urine. However, larger kidney stones may block kidney tubes, causing acute pain stomach ache in the lower stomach. Your stomach ache may be a cause of kidney stone which requires to be immediately looked into by a healthcare professional.
• Diverticulitis: This condition causes small pockets in the bowel to be inflamed. In such cases, seeking medications from a doctor is of utmost importance.

Read more about: Best Natural Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Add In Your Diet

Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a health care professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

What calms an upset stomach and vomiting?

How do you settle an upset stomach quickly?

What is the home remedy for stomach pain and vomiting?

What home remedy stops throwing up?