How to Treat Food Poisoning Stomach Cramps

Medically reviewed by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH

Last Updated: December 15, 2021 References

Eating food that's been contaminated by bacteria, such as salmonella or E. coli, or by a virus, such as the norovirus, causes food poisoning. Symptoms, which include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and painful stomach cramps, usually begin within one to two days of eating the contaminated food, although they could appear as early as a few hours or as late as several weeks after consumption. Most cases of food poisoning aren’t serious and you’ll recover within 48 hours.^{[1]
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Research source} In the meantime, there are some simple remedies and treatments you can try at home to relieve the pain in your abdomen.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Altering Your Diet

1
Drink at least 68 oz (2 liters) of water or electrolyte-rich fluids per day. Stay hydrated when you have food poisoning, to ward off nausea and to prevent dehydration, which can be dangerous. You’ll know you’re getting enough fluids if you’re urinating normally and your urine is clear or pale yellow.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Health information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} You're dehydrated if your urine is dark-colored, or you’re urinating less frequently than usual, or not at all.^{[3]
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- When you have food poisoning, try to drink about 7 ounces (200 mL) of fluids after each bout of diarrhea, in addition to your daily 68 oz (2 liters). You will need to drink even more than this if you’re dehydrated.^{[4]
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- If you’re having trouble drinking large quantities of fluids, try taking small sips of water or sucking on ice chips.
- Sports drinks are high in electrolytes and can help you stay hydrated. Try to drink about 2 to 4 ounces (60 to 119 mL) of one every half hour to an hour. Be sure to avoid sports drinks that are high in sugar since they can make diarrhea worse.
- Fruit juice and coconut water can replenish lost carbohydrates and ease fatigue.
- You can make your own rehydration drink by mixing 6 teaspoons (24 g) of sugar, ½ teaspoon (2.8 g) of salt, and 1 qt (.95 L) of water.
2
Let your stomach settle before eating so you don't get nauseous. Don’t eat for a few hours to give yourself a chance to recover from the worst of the food poisoning. Avoid solid foods until any bouts of vomiting and diarrhea have ended.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}

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3
Try eating bland foods, like bananas and rice, once you feel up to it. These foods replace lost nutrients and are low in fiber, so they make your stools firmer. Stop eating if you feel nauseated. Good food choices include:^{[6]
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FamilyDoctor.org
Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors
Go to source}
- Saltine crackers
- bananas
- rice
- oatmeal
- chicken broth
- boiled vegetables
- plain toast.
4
Avoid food and drinks that are hard on your stomach, such as caffeine. Don’t have alcohol or fizzy drinks. Stay away from spicy and fatty foods. All of these things could make your stomach feel worse. Avoid foods that are hard to digest, including:^{[7]
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- Those that are high in fiber, such as beans, lentils, and bran
- dairy products, particularly milk and cheeses
- foods with high sugar content, such as cookies and cake.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Giving Your Body Relief

1
Eat ginger, which may cure stomach pain. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and studies have shown that it can be effective in treating upset stomachs. Take a ginger chew or supplement, which you can buy at your local pharmacy or health food store. Follow the directions on the product label for the correct dosage.^{[8]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} You can also try brewing a ginger tea at home:
- Wash and scrub a ginger root, and then peel it. Slice it thinly.
- Fill a pot with 2 cups (470 mL) of water, add 4-6 slices of the raw ginger, and boil for 10-20 minutes, depending on the strength of tea you prefer.
- Remove from the heat, and add a drop of honey to taste if you want your tea to be sweeter. Drink it hot.
2
Drink chamomile tea, which might reduce the pain of stomach cramps. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that can relax your stomach muscles.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} You can find pre-packaged chamomile tea at the local grocery store. Aim for at least one cup a day, though it's safe to have up to a few, perhaps 3-5, each day.
- Avoid chamomile tea if you’re taking anticoagulant medicines, such as warfarin, since chamomile has natural blood-thinning compounds that could amplify the effects of the medication.
- If you’re allergic to other plants in the daisy family, you might also be allergic to chamomile.
3
Take peppermint capsules to help relieve pain. Peppermint oil capsules can help relax your colon and possibly reduce any spasms and pain. Buy a package of peppermint oil capsules from a health food store or in the supplement section of your local drugstore. Take 1-2 capsules daily while you’re experiencing stomach cramps.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
4
Apply heat to your stomach for about 20 minutes to reduce cramps. You can do this several times a day. Use a heating pad or a hot water bottle. The heat will distract you from your cramps as it relaxes your stomach muscles.^{[11]
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- If you don’t have a heating pad at home and you’re too sick to go buy one, try making one.
- Wet two hand towels and wring out the excess water so that they’re damp, not sopping.
- Place one towel in a ziplock bag. Microwave the bag on high heat for 2 minutes, leaving it open.
- Take the hot bag out of the microwave, seal it, and wrap the other damp towel around it. Apply the homemade heating pad to your stomach.
5
Get plenty of rest so that your body can recover and heal. It's important to take it easy when you have food poisoning. Avoid any strenuous activities. Try to nap as frequently as possible, since this will help your body recuperate, and distract you from your pain.^{[12]
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- Stay home from work or school until at least 48 hours have gone by since your last episode of diarrhea or vomiting.^{[13]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying Medicine

1
Take an Oral Rehydration Solution if you’re vulnerable to dehydration. Buy a sachet of Oral Rehydration Solution at your local pharmacy. Dissolve the packet into water and drink it to replace salt, glucose, and other minerals your body loses when it’s dehydrated. Follow the directions on your package or consult your pharmacist about proper dosages.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source
FamilyDoctor.org
Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors
Go to source}
- The elderly and people with pre-existing heart conditions are especially vulnerable to dehydration.
- Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking an Oral Rehydration Solution if you have a kidney condition.^{[15]
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- If your child has food poisoning, ask their doctor if you should administer an oral rehydration fluid, such as Pedialyte or Enfalyte. These are available at your local pharmacy. If your child is reluctant to drink them, you can administer them with a syringe.
2
Try an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease stomach cramps. Acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen can reduce the sensation of stomach cramps and bring down any fever you might be experiencing. Follow the instructions on the package for the correct dosage.^{[16]
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- Don’t take ibuprofen if you’re pregnant.^{[17]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  Go to source}
3
Avoid taking diarrhea medication, so your body can purge naturally. Vomiting and diarrhea are your body’s way of naturally cleansing and purging the digestive tract of the harmful bacteria you’ve ingested. In addition to interfering with your body’s natural food poisoning remedy, these medications can hide the severity of your illness and delay seeking expert treatment, if it’s necessary.
- Don’t use any anti-diarrheal medication if you have a toxin-driven illness, such as E. Coli or Clostridium Difficile.
4
See a doctor if your symptoms are very severe, or you’re vulnerable. Seek immediate medical advice if your symptoms last longer than a few days, you can’t keep any fluids down due to repeated vomiting, or you have symptoms of severe dehydration, including confusion, rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes, or lack of urine. If you’re experiencing food poisoning and you are pregnant, have a long-term underlying condition or a weakened immune system, or are over 60, see a doctor.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Your doctor will test a stool sample to determine the cause of the food poisoning. If it’s bacterial, you might be prescribed antibiotics However, there are no medications you can take to treat viral food poisoning.
- Your doctor might give you anti-emetics if your vomiting is severe.
- If you’re severely dehydrated, you might be admitted to the hospital for a few days to be monitored and given fluids intravenously.^{[19]
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- If your symptoms are very severe, go to your nearest hospital or call 911. If you’re not sure whether you need to go to the hospital, call the Poison Help Line at 800-222-1222 for guidance.^{[20]
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Warnings

See a doctor if you're dehydrated, or your food poisoning symptoms are very severe, or haven't improved after a few days.

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Contact your doctor if you have food poisoning and you're pregnant, over 60, or you have a long-term underlying condition of a weakened immune system.

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Consult with a doctor if you suspect a baby or small child has food poisoning.^{[21]
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Don’t brush your teeth for at least an hour after vomiting during food poisoning. The stomach acid in vomit can damage tooth enamel. The brushing action might further erode it. Rinse your mouth out with a mixture of baking soda and water instead.

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