Natural remedies for a stomach ache

One thing you can be sure of is that, at some point in your life, you’re going to suffer from a stomach ache. Most of the time, it’s just a short-lived nuisance that results from the food that you’ve eaten. Eating spicy meals is often the culprit, but other types of food that upset your digestive system are foods that are high in fats, citrus fruits and tomatoes which are acidic by nature, chocolate, and caffeinated beverages.

An intolerance to lactose products -- dairy products like milk, ice cream, and certain cheeses -- can cause gas, bloating, and stomach pain. Gluten intolerance or celiac disease, an autoimmune reaction to the gluten found in wheat, rye, barley, and many processed foods, can also result in cramping and bloating.

The good news is that there are natural remedies for a stomach ache. Try curing your digestive problems naturally with some tried and true remedies. Eating a bland diet such as the BRAT diet -- bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast -- helps because it is low in fiber, but high-binding. Chewing on some peppermint leaves or peppermint candy or having a nice, soothing cup of ginger tea is another way to calm your irritated stomach. A heating pad or hot water bottle applied to your abdominal area often helps to relax your muscles and reduce nausea.

Why is your stomach upset?

Your upset stomach is usually due to the swelling or inflammation of the lining of the stomach and/or the intestines. Stomach ache symptoms may include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Cramping
  • Bloating and gas
  • Nausea with/without vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Body aches and chills

Your lifestyle can cause stomach aches - too much stress, smoking, eating too fast, too much alcohol or caffeine, eating fatty foods. So, many natural remedies for a stomach ache plus lifestyle changes could help to ease your symptoms.

Where your stomach hurts could also be an indication of the problem. If you’re experiencing pain in the lower portions of your digestive tract, this could be the result of IBS or irritable bowel syndrome. In addition to abdominal pain, IBS also causes altered bowel habits. If the pain is located in your upper stomach and upper back and you’re experiencing other digestive problems, you may have gallstones. These are types of problems that require medical attention.

Supplements for digestion problems

In addition to trying some natural remedies for stomach aches, taking daily supplements for digestive health may provide relief from some of the more common causes of an occasional upset stomach. Probiotics contain helpful bacteria which work the same way as the good bacteria already found in your gut. Digestive enzyme supplements work to break down food as you eat it.

Try taking supplements for digestive problems such lactose intolerance, acid reflux and occasional diarrhea. You may find the digestive supplements may be the answer to that infrequent, but bothersome stomach ache.