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Some supposed hangover cures are so unpleasant that they were probably invented to prank your friends. Maybe your distant ancestors were that desperate, but those suckers didn't even have pharmacies. There are plenty of gentle remedies that will actually make you feel better and help you recover from a morning of nausea and indigestion.
Here are 10 effective remedies for getting rid of stomach pain after drinking.
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Water, broth, sports drinks or ginger tea can help. Nausea and mild stomach pain after a night of drinking is usually caused by an irritated stomach lining and too much acid in the stomach.[1] These soothing drinks will help get your stomach back to normal:
- Plain water often does the job by itself. Sip as slowly as you need to.
- Thin vegetable broth or an isotonic sports drink treat multiple issues at once by restoring some salt to your system as you hydrate.
- Ginger tea is a common folk remedy for nausea with some decent evidence behind it, though a few unlucky people react the opposite way.[2]
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Plain toast or crackers help you recover. These foods settle your stomach and also help fix the trembling and low energy that comes from low blood sugar.[3] Eat as slowly as you need to to avoid a rush of nausea or vomiting.
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These drinks worsen pain, but may help with nausea. Sparkling water or other carbonated drinks are a common home remedy for nausea and acid reflux, but can make indigestion and other stomach pain worse. Similarly, the sugars in fruit juice or soda can settle an upset stomach and help with other hangover symptoms, but it's best to avoid them while you are in pain.[4]
- Carbonated drinks, and especially sodas, can be quite acidic. However, this has surprisingly little effect on acid reflux and overall stomach acidity for most people.[5] Some people do react badly, so start with small sips and see how it goes.
- Avoid caffeine and dairy products. These drinks can worsen stomach pain and nausea after a night of drinking.[6]
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Antacids or acid blockers treat these common issues. These medications can provide quick relief, and are also safe to use for symptoms lasting a few days.[7] As with any drug, don't take more than one at a time before talking to your doctor. Here's a quick guide:
- Antacids are widely available and work okay. The options that contain sodium bicarbonate (such as Alka-Seltzer) are less effective but have fewer side effects.[8][9]
- H2 histamine blockers (also called acid blockers) are a great choice. Ask a pharmacist or look for the generic drug names cimetidine, ranitidine, nizatidine, or famotidine.[10]
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole are great for multi-day symptoms, but not so much for immediate relief.[11]
- If these drugs have no effect on your stomach pain, or if the symptoms don't go away within a few days, see a doctor.
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Baking soda is a mediocre but easy to find antacid. If you can't make it to the pharmacy, this antacid might be sitting in your kitchen. This isn't as effective as most other antacids, but it helps a little with heartburn or indigestion from too much stomach acid.[12] Try half a teaspoon (3 mL) of baking soda mixed into half a cup (125 mL) of water.[13]
- This is only recommended as a short-term home remedy. It is not safe for people on medically necessary low-sodium diets, and it can make it harder to absorb other prescription medicine.
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Vitamin B6 can help, but is best taken the night before. In one study, people who took vitamin B6 throughout a night of drinking avoided half of their hangover symptoms.[14] It won't work miracles once you've already reached the regretful morning, but it can still help a little.[15] If nothing else, you're restoring a nutrient often depleted by alcohol.[16]
- A 10mg dose is plenty for most people. High doses can cause nausea, heartburn, or more serious symptoms, but this is rare unless you're taking 200+ mg, or taking high daily doses for months.[17][18]
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Aspirin and ibuprofen can irritate your stomach. Many people turn to these painkillers to help with a pounding hangover headache. But if your stomach is in pain, avoid drugs that irritate it further like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs. Small doses of acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol or Tylenol) are a better choice while your stomach is hurting.[19]
- Warning: acetaminophen can damage your liver, as does alcohol. If you are a heavy drinker or frequently have hangovers, this is not a good solution. Talk to your doctor about treatments that can protect your stomach and make NSAIDs a safer option.[20]
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A "gastritis diet" can treat persistent pain or bloating. Alcohol use can trigger acute gastritis, a painful inflammation of your stomach lining. Gnawing or burning stomach pain, feeling bloated or full, and symptoms that feel either better or worse after eating can all point to gastritis.[21] Changing your diet can help:[22]
- Stick with easy-to-digest foods such as lean meats, rice, potatoes, and steamed vegetables for a few days.
- Foods that trigger pain or indigestion vary between people, but it's a good idea to avoid spicy, fatty, and acidic foods, as well as caffeine and alcohol.
- Try to avoid large meals, and don't lie down for a couple hours after you eat.
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Pain lasting a week or more should be treated professionally. Sometimes, alcohol use (along with stress and other factors) can damage your stomach lining enough to cause an ulcer or leave it vulnerable to a bacterial infection by H. pylori. A doctor can diagnosis this and prescribe you with antibiotics or other medication as needed.[23][24]
- Consult a doctor immediately if you vomit blood, have blood in your stool (especially black blood), or if the pain is severe.[25]
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Severe, central stomach pain and fever are danger signs. Large amounts of drinking is linked to inflammation of the pancreas, and the effects range from a few days of mild pain to a life-threatening issue.[26] Call emergency services if you have severe pain that matches these descriptions:[27]
- Pain (and sometimes tenderness or swelling) in the center of your stomach, which can worsen and travel up your back
- Pain that worsens when you lie down flat or eat fatty foods[28] (bending over, lying on your side, or curling up can help with this)[29]
- Pain along with fever, yellowed eyes (or other signs of jaundice), and/or a fast heartbeat
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Question
How do you treat stomach pain from drinking?
Dr. David Schechter is a physician in Culver City, California. With over 25 years of experience as a family and sports medicine physician, Dr. Schechter specializes in mind-body medicine, preventive medicine, and chronic pain. Dr. Schechter received his MD from New York University and is an attending physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was named a Top Doctor by Los Angeles Magazine and Men's Health Magazine. He has also written several books, including The MindBody Workbook.
Family Medicine Practitioner
Expert Answer
Try taking an antacid to reduce your stomach pain. If your stomach continues to hurt or the pain becomes severe, you may need to see a doctor.
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