20 Causes of a Burning Stomach

Indigestion is a common symptom that most people will experience at some point in their lives. Taking measures to prevent this burning sensation is really the best treatment. Avoid eating food and drinking beverages that cause pain and try not to eat too late at night.

Why Does My Stomach Burn?

A burning sensation in the stomach can be caused by several conditions. It may be accompanied by other symptoms, but not always. The good news is, there are ways to treat your discomfort.

If you’re experiencing a burning sensation in your belly, you’re not alone. Many people report a specific burning or “gnawing” ache in their stomach.

Usually, this type of pain is caused by another health problem or a lifestyle choice. Read on to learn more about what might be causing your burning stomach, and how you can find relief.

Some common gastrointestinal problems that might cause a burning stomach include:

Acid reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens when stomach acid flows back into your esophagus. It can cause a burning sensation in your chest or stomach along with chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and a chronic cough.

Students who make it into medical school pay a lot of money for the privilege of eventually becoming a doctor, with medical school students in the class of 2019 graduating with an average of $201,490 in student debt, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges as reported by Nerd Wallet. That’s an increase of 2.5% from 2018.

If GERD goes untreated, it can lead to a precancerous condition known as Barrett’s esophagus.

Certain foods, drinks, or ingredients can worsen GERD. These may include:

• chocolate
• caffeine
• citrus
• fatty and fried foods
• mint flavorings
• spicy foods
• garlic
• onions
• tomato-based foods

Gastritis

Gastritis is a condition that causes inflammation in the lining of your stomach. In addition to a burning stomach, you might also experience:

• nausea
• vomiting
• a feeling of fullness after eating

Sometimes, gastritis can lead to stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, and an increased risk for stomach cancer.

H. pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection happens when bacteria infect your stomach. About two-thirds of people worldwide have H. pylori.

Many people don’t have symptoms, but some experience:

• burning stomach
• nausea
• loss of appetite
• bloating
• weight loss
• frequent burping

H. pylori infection is a major cause of stomach ulcers and can increase a person’s risk for developing stomach cancer.

Ulcers

Peptic ulcers are sores that develop on the inside lining of your stomach and upper portion of your small intestine. Burning stomach pain is the most common symptom of an ulcer, but you may also experience:

• a feeling of fullness
• bloating
• burping
• heartburn
• nausea
• intolerance to certain foods

Some people with peptic ulcers don’t experience bothersome issues. Stress and spicy foods don’t cause ulcers, but they can worsen your symptoms.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS is an intestinal disorder that causes abdominal discomfort, and sometimes, a burning pain. Other symptoms include:

• gas
• diarrhea
• constipation
• mucus in the stool
• cramping or bloating
• nausea

IBS affects 25 to 45 million people in the United States. The exact cause of the condition isn’t known.

Indigestion

Indigestion, which is also known as dyspepsia, or simply an upset stomach, means you have discomfort in your upper abdomen. It can be a symptom of another digestive problem.

A burning stomach is one common complaint in people with indigestion. Other symptoms might include:

• bloating
• nausea
• fullness after eating
• feeling full without eating much
• heartburn
• burping

Medications

Certain medicines, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), can cause gastrointestinal issues, which may lead to a burning pain in your stomach.

Popular NSAIDS include:

• aspirin
• celecoxib (Celebrex)
• ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
• indomethacin (Indocin)
• ketoprofen (Orudis, Oruvail)
• oxaprozin (Daypro)

Talk to your doctor if you experience any stomach pain while taking an NSAID.

Hernia

A hernia happens when an organ pushes through the muscle or tissue around it. There are many types of hernias, and some can cause a burning sensation where the bulge occurs.

Other symptoms of a hernia depend on the type you have and may include:

• pain or discomfort near the affected area
• pain when lifting
• a feeling of fullness

Reactions to foods

Reactions or intolerances to certain foods might cause stomach burning in some individuals.

For example, if you’re lactose intolerant, you don’t produce enough of the necessary enzyme to digest lactose in milk. Consuming milk products can cause nausea, bloating, cramping, or a burning stomach.

Likewise, when people with celiac disease eat gluten — a protein found in wheat — their bodies attack their small intestine. They might experience intestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, weight loss, or bloating.

Smoking

Cigarette smoking affects your entire body. People who smoke are more likely to develop stomach burning and digestive problems, such as:

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, approximately one-fifth of all U.S. adults smoke, and each year, about 443,000 Americans die from illnesses caused by cigarette smoking.

Alcohol

Consuming alcohol can irritate your digestive tract and cause a burning sensation in your stomach. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to:

• peptic ulcers
• gastritis
• other gastrointestinal problems

Some people also have alcohol intolerance, a condition that inhibits the body from digesting alcohol.

Stomach cancer

Sometimes, cancer can cause a burning sensation in your stomach. Other symptoms of stomach cancer include:

• fatigue
• feeling full after eating a meal or small amounts of food
• severe heartburn or indigestion
• nausea
• vomiting
• weight loss

20 Causes of a Burning Stomach

Patty is a registered nurse with over a decade of experience in pediatric critical care. Her passion is writing health and wellness content that anyone can understand and use.

Updated on October 17, 2022

Shadi Hamdeh, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents

Indigestion is a burning sensation in the stomach. It is a term used to describe a group of gastrointestinal symptoms rather than its own disease.

Also known as dyspepsia, indigestion affects 20% of the population. The collective symptoms that people can experience are burning pain in the upper abdomen, feeling full quickly after eating, and feeling uncomfortably full after eating.

This article will focus on the causes, treatments, and prevention of indigestion or stomach burning. It will also highlight the differences between indigestion and other gastrointestinal conditions.

thianchai sitthikongsak / Getty Images

20 Reasons Your Stomach May Burn

Stomach burning can be caused by food, medical conditions, medications, or for seemingly no reason at all. Not knowing what is causing stomach burn is actually very common. About 80% of people with indigestion never know the cause. This is called functional dyspepsia.

The other 20% who do have a defined cause could find their pain linked to:

• Alcohol consumption
• Caffeine
• Carbonated beverages
• Fatty or greasy food
• Spicy food
• Stress
• Smoking
• Eating too fast
• Highly acidic foods like tomatoes and oranges

Medications that can cause stomach burning:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Some antibiotics

Medical conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract that can cause stomach burning include:

• Peptic ulcer disease
• Gastritis
• Stomach cancer
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Lactose intolerance
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria, which can cause ulcers and other issues
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Gastroparesis
• Gallbladder inflammation

Cause-Specific Treatment Options

Treating burning stomach pain is aimed at managing any underlying conditions and preventing future pain. The main treatment options are medications, diet changes, and psychological therapy.

Over-the-counter (OTC) antacid medications can treat indigestion. These medications neutralize stomach acids. Common antacids include Tums (calcium carbonate), Maalox (simethicone), and Alka-Seltzer (sodium bicarbonate). If indigestion doesn’t get better after two weeks of treatment, it’s time to contact a healthcare provider for prescription medication.

If an H. pylori infection is causing stomach burning, then a healthcare provider will likely prescribe two antibiotics to treat the infection. They might include:

• Amoxicillin
• Metronidazole
• Clarithromycin
• Tetracycline
• Tinidazole

Other medications that can treat burning stomach pain caused by indigestion include:

• H2 blockers, which decrease the amount of acid the stomach makes
• Proton pump inhibitors, which decrease the amount of acid in the stomach and are considered one of the most effective indigestion treatments
• Prokinetics, which increases the stomach’s emptying time

People with indigestion should avoid foods and drinks that make their symptoms worse. This includes carbonated beverages, alcohol, spicy and fatty foods, and caffeine.

If stress or anxiety is causing indigestion, then relaxation techniques should be implemented as part of a treatment plan. These techniques can include meditation, exercise, and talk therapy.

GERD vs. Indigestion

GERD and indigestion are interchangeable terms. Yet, they are two different conditions. GERD is a condition that results from stomach contents moving up the stomach into the esophagus. This can cause heartburn, which people generally feel in the chest and up into the mouth.

Indigestion is an umbrella term for several symptoms, one of which is heartburn. Medications that treat these two conditions are similar but can vary according to their underlying causes.

How to Prevent Burning Pain in Your Stomach

One way to prevent burning stomach pain is to make diet changes. Some foods and drinks can trigger indigestion. Take note of any foods that cause indigestion and avoid them. Foods and drinks that can cause indigestion are:

• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Carbonated beverages
• Spicy foods
• Fatty and greasy foods
• Foods with high acid content

Home Remedies

Treating indigestion at home with over-the-counter medications, diet, and lifestyle changes can make a big difference.

There are not many proven home remedies to treat indigestion. However, if the burning stomach pain comes on and there is no medication to be found at home, dissolve baking soda in at least 4 ounces of water. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, the same component found in some over-the-counter medications.

Lifestyle Changes

Sometimes making simple lifestyle changes can help decrease the incidence of indigestion. Here is a list of changes to incorporate:

• Wait two to three hours after eating before you lie down
• Stop smoking
• Minimize stress
• Avoid NSAIDs when possible
• Don’t exercise immediately after eating
• Fully chew food

Surgery

When indigestion symptoms caused by GERD do not respond to conventional treatment, a healthcare provider may consider surgery. A Nissen fundoplication is described as the most common anti-reflux surgery.

This laparoscopic surgery involves wrapping part of the stomach (fundus) around the bottom of the esophagus. This makes it very difficult for stomach contents to move up the esophagus and cause pain.

Summary

A stomach-burning sensation, also called indigestion, is a term used to describe a group of gastrointestinal symptoms. There are several potential causes, including stress, food, medication, and medical conditions.

Lifestyle changes and avoiding certain foods and beverages can make a significant difference. There are also over-the-counter indigestion treatments like Tums and Maalox. For moderate to severe indigestion, surgery may be indicated.

A Word From Verywell

Indigestion is a common symptom that most people will experience at some point in their lives. Taking measures to prevent this burning sensation is really the best treatment. Avoid eating food and drinking beverages that cause pain and try not to eat too late at night.

If diet changes and lifestyle modifications aren’t working, then it’s time to talk to a healthcare provider. There are numerous medications available, and they will be able to help you find the right one for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is a stomach burning sensation considered serious?

When a burning stomach sensation does not go away after two weeks of over-the-counter treatment, then it’s time to talk to a healthcare provider. They will be able to determine if there is an underlying condition causing the pain.

Is stomach burning a symptom of gastritis?

Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining, and burning pain is one of its symptoms. It can lead to ulcers and bleeding in the stomach.

Do antacids reduce stomach burning?

Antacids reduce the acid level in the stomach and can reduce stomach burning. This is one of many different types of medications available for stomach burning, so if antacids don’t work, there are other options that a healthcare provider can recommend.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. UpToDate. Approach to the adult with dyspepsia.
2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Indigestion (dyspepsia).
3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Treatment of indigestion.
4. Clarrett DM, Hachem C. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Mo Med. 2018;115(3):214-218.
5. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Eating, diet, & nutrition for indigestion.
6. MedlinePlus. Sodium bicarbonate.
7. Medical College of Wisconsin. GERD surgery – laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.
8. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & causes of gastritis & gastropathy.

By Patty Weasler, RN, BSN
Patty is a registered nurse with over a decade of experience in pediatric critical care. Her passion is writing health and wellness content that anyone can understand and use.