Burning Sensation in Stomach – Causes and Treatments

A burning sensation in stomach is a condition that afflicts many people, and it has a number of causes and a few possible home remedies. Very often, stomach burning is accompanied by pain, tiredness, and stress. Some of the causes of stomach burning can be ulcers, certain foods, indigestion (dyspepsia), as well as long term use of NSAIDs.

In this article, I will look at the many causes of a burning sensation in stomach as well as the many natural remedies to help you treat and prevent this painful condition.

The Stomach – Facts and Functions

The stomach is a bean-shaped muscular organ located on the left side of the upper abdomen. The stomach secrets acids and enzymes that break down the food so that it can continue on its journey through the digestive system. As it secretes acid and enzymes, the stomach muscles contract in a process called peristalsis to mix the food with the acid and enzymes. When the contents of the stomach are sufficiently processed, they are released into the small intestine.

What Causes Stomach Burning?

Indigestion

Indigestion (or sometimes called dyspepsia) is one of the most common reasons for a burning stomach and it is also one of the causes of gas and bloating, pain under ribs as well as hard stomach. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says that indigestion can cause burning in the upper abdomen and can cause a person to feel overly full after a meal.¹

Indigestion can be caused by other digestive problems like a peptic ulcer or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, the cause of indigestion in some people remains unclear, and this is called non-ulcer (functional) dyspepsia.

To prevent the burning feeling in your belly from indigestion, Dr. William Blahd on WebMD recommends eating smaller meals more frequently. It can also help to avoid acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits as well as caffeinated drinks.²

Acid Reflux / GERD

Acid reflux (often referred to as heartburn) can also cause a burning sensation in the upper abdomen. Although both indigestion and heartburn cause a burning sensation and sour stomach, they are not the same condition. Heartburn occurs when the juices from the stomach go back up the esophagus can cause a mild to severe burning sensation.

Dr. Melinda Ratini on WebMD says that heartburn causes a burning pain from the stomach to the middle of the chest and sometimes also in the throat.³

GERD is similar to acid reflux, but a more severe form of reflux. GERD also causes a burning sensation in the stomach and chest, but the symptoms can include food coming back into the mouth, coughing, and wheezing.⁴

In rare cases, GERD is also one of the causes of pain in the underarm area.

As with heartburn, doctors recommend eating smaller meals frequently and avoiding acidic foods. You should also avoid lying down after a meal and exercising.

At the end of the article, you can find some home remedies on how to relieve the symptoms of indigestion, heartburn, and GERD.

Too much acid in stomach

The medical name for stomach acid is hydrochloric acid (HCL), and excess stomach acid is called hyperchlorhydria. Having excess stomach acid in your digestive system very often causes varying degrees of gastrointestinal discomfort such as a burning stomach after meals.

Stress

Although stress doesn’t directly cause burning sensation in the abdomen, it can aggravate health conditions that cause a burning stomach as well as stomach spasms.

Various studies have shown that stress can make the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion worse. For example, the Cleveland Clinic reports that indigestion gets worse during times of stress and that eating during stressful situations causes indigestion.⁵

The American Journal of Gastroenterology studied the relationship between stress and GERD and found that reflux (when the acid comes back up the esophagus) was more severe when the patients were under stress.⁶

Managing stress is an effective way to get a relief from a burning sensation in your tummy. If you are interested in effective ways to deal with stress, please read my article on natural remedies for stress and anxiety.

Stress can also aggravate ulcers – another cause of a burning sensation in the stomach.

Ulcers

Ulcers very often cause burning in the stomach. The University of Maryland says that ulcers can cause “abdominal pain with a burning or gnawing sensation.”⁷ They are usually caused by the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria, not spicy foods or stress.

If you have an ulcer, the University of Maryland recommends eating fiber-rich foods with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Also, foods like onions, garlic, cranberries, and tea can inhibit the growth of H.pylori. It is also important to reduce stress.

You can also use my natural remedies for Helicobacter pylori as well as drinking cabbage juice to treat ulcers.

Do Spicy Foods Cause Stomach Burning?

Many people assume that spicy foods cause burning in the stomach and should be avoided by people who have ulcers, heartburn, and indigestion.

Some studies show that capsaicin, the compound that makes chilies spicy, can cause people to experience more heartburn and can cause a sense of burning in the stomach.⁸ Spicy foods can also cause burning in the anal area.

However, some people with heartburn and indigestion can eat spicy foods without feeling any burning. Gastroenterologist, Dr. Lauren B. Gerson says that he recommends that people with heartburn and GERD look for connections with the foods they eat and their symptoms and then avoid those foods.⁹

At the end of the article, you will find a surprising way to use cayenne pepper to help reduce stomach burning that is caused by ulcers and heartburn.

Long-term Use of NSAIDs

The long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause peptic ulcers, which in turn can cause burning in the abdomen. Some of the most common NSAIDs are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.

Dr. Michael W. Smith on WebMD says that the long-term use of NSAIDs can cause heartburn, stomach pain, and stomach ulcers.¹⁰

There are, however, many effective natural alternatives to NSAIDs that you can use to reduce inflammation in the body. Some are mentioned in the treatments section of this article.

Hiatus Hernia

A hiatus hernia can cause a burning feeling in the stomach because it causes stomach acid to enter the esophagus (reflux). Dr. Tim Kenny on Patient.info says that the symptoms can be a burning feeling from the upper tummy to the chest.¹¹

Non-ulcer stomach pain

The Mayo Clinic describes a condition called non-ulcer stomach pain which can cause a burning sensation in your abdomen. The symptoms are similar to indigestion but with no obvious cause.¹²

This condition is also called functional dyspepsia or non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Stomach Cancer

Early signs of stomach cancer can be a burning sensation in the abdomen and heartburn.¹³ Of course, this is just one of many symptoms and usually, heartburn and a burning stomach are caused by less serious issues. You should visit your doctor if the burning sensation in the stomach is accompanied by unexplained weight loss, swelling of the abdomen, nausea, blood in vomit, or black-colored stool.

Home Remedies for Burning in the Stomach

There are many different home remedies to get rid of a burning sensation in your stomach.

Baking Soda

Baking soda can help you get relief from a burning stomach if it is caused by indigestion or heartburn.¹⁴ It is one of the cheapest home remedies to reduce acid in the stomach.

For relief from a burning sensation in your stomach after meals, mix 1/2 tsp. baking soda in an 8 oz. glass of water and drink.

Ginger for indigestion

Ginger can help to improve indigestion and thus help you soothe the burning sensation in your stomach. Studies into ginger and ginger extracts show that it helps to improve digestive health and treat ulcers.¹⁵

It is very easy to make ginger tea to help improve digestion. Chop or grate about 1-2 inch of fresh root ginger. Put in a cup of boiling water and leave covered for 10 minutes. Drink the ginger tea to soothe the burning feeling in your tummy.

Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera juice is used by many people to reduce the symptoms of heartburn. One study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine showed that aloe vera syrup showed positive results in reducing the symptoms of GERD.¹⁶

To avoid a burning sensation after meals you should drink 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice 20 minutes before your meal. Or, if you have heartburn at other times, you can drink aloe vera juice for a quick relief and to soothe the burning sensation in the stomach.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Apple cider vinegar can help you avoid the burning sensation in the stomach from acid reflux. Rather than making the stomach more acidic, it is thought that ACV helps the body digest food better. This results in less reflux and burning in the abdomen.

Mix 1 to 2 tsp. of raw unprocessed ACV in a glass of water and take before meals to get a relief from a burning feeling in the stomach.

Take Probiotics

Probiotics can help to reduce stomach burning that is caused by digestive problems and ulcers.

Probiotics help to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the digestive system. Studies into probiotics and ulcers caused by the H. pylori bacteria have shown promising results in treating and healing ulcers.¹⁷ Probiotics can also help reduce the effects of antibiotics on the digestive system.¹⁸

You can take probiotics in the form of supplements to help boost your digestive system and prevent stomach burning.

Fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, and sauerkraut are also sources of probiotics and can help soothe a burning feeling in the stomach. For example, drinking a glass of kefir or having some plain raw yogurt can often give instant relief from a burning stomach.

Cabbage Juice

Cabbage juice has also helped heal peptic ulcers. One study showed that fresh cabbage juice cured patient with ulcers quicker that those who used traditional medication.¹⁹

Potato Juice

Potatoes have been used for centuries by people with digestive issues ranging from heartburn to indigestion. Potato juice can help your treat indigestion and peptic ulcers which can alleviate the pain caused by a burning stomach.

For more information, read my article about the health benefits of potato juice.

Cayenne Pepper

You may be surprised to learn that cayenne pepper can help reduce stomach burning that is caused by ulcers. Research has shown that the capsaicin in pepper can help reduce acid in the stomach and stimulates alkali which can help to prevent and heal ulcers. Capsaicin can help to kill off the H. pylori bacteria.²⁰  

Cayenne pepper can also help reduce burning in the tummy that is the result of taking NSAIDs. This is because research has also shown that it has anti-inflammatory properties which can help you reduce, or even eliminate the need for taking NSAIDs.²¹

You can take cayenne pepper by mixing 1/4 – 1/2 tsp. in a cup of hot water. Let it steep for a few minutes with the cup covered. You can also add it to cooked foods. It’s important to remember that too much cayenne pepper can cause stomach irritation.

That is just one of the many uses of cayenne pepper as a natural remedy for common ailments.

Read these related articles:
1. Stomach Pain after Eating – Causes and Natural Treatments
2. Lower Left Abdominal Pain – Causes and Possible Treatments
3. The Most Effective Home Remedies for Gas and Bloating
4. 12 Effective Natural Treatments for Heartburn and Stomach Ulcers

Resources:

1. Indigestion.
2. How can I prevent indigestion?
3. Acid reflux symptoms.
4. Is acid reflux the same as GERD?
5. Indigestion.
6. The relationship between stress and symptoms of GERD.
7. Peptic ulcer.
8. Are rice and spicy diet good for functional gastrointestinal disorders?
9. Advances in GERD.
10. OTC pain relief: understanding NSAIDs.
11. Hiatus hernia.
12. Nonulcer stomach pain.
13. Stomach cancer.
14. Sodium bicarbonate.
15. Anti-inflammatory effects of ginger in health and physical activity.
16. Efficacy and safety of aloe vera syrup for the treatment of GERD.
17. Potential role of probiotics in the management of gastric ulcer.
18. Use of probiotics in the fight against Helicobacter pylori.
19. Rapid healing of peptic ulcers in patients receiving fresh cabbage juice.
20. Capsaicin and gastric ulcers.
21. Comparative anti-inflammatory properties of Capsaicin.