Stomach upsets need a short plan you can follow today. Start with rehydration in small, steady sips, so fluids stay down and salts replace losses. Add a labelled binder or soothing option for brief use if it fits your symptoms. Pause foods that often irritate—very fatty, very spicy, or high‑roughage—then bring back plain foods slowly over 24–48 hours. Track what you drink, what you take, and how stools change so you know when to step up intake. If red flags appear or symptoms last, speak with a pharmacist or clinician. This guide shows what to drink, what to take, and what to pause.

Rehydration: what to drink and how often

• Take small sips every 5–10 minutes; if vomiting returns, pause for 10 minutes, then restart with smaller sips and build up as nausea eases.
• Use oral rehydration solution (ORS) sachets or ready‑to‑drink bottles; mix per the label (e.g., one sachet to the stated volume) and finish within the time the label allows.
• Rotate clear fluids—water, weak tea, clear broth; avoid fizzy, very sweet, or very acidic drinks until stools firm and cramps reduce.
• Add extra sips after each loose stool; aim for pale‑yellow urine by day’s end as a hydration cue.
• If vomiting blocks any fluid intake for 6+ hours, seek pharmacist advice promptly.
• Pause caffeine if it worsens cramps; reintroduce small amounts after 24 symptom‑light hours.

Binders and soothing options: what they do and when to use

• Choose a short‑term binder or adsorbent gel to firm stools or calm the upper gut; follow age limits and maximum daily doses on the label (often for 24–48 hours only).
• Space binders and antacids 2–4 hours away from other medicines to reduce absorption issues; follow the product timing rules precisely.
• For reflux‑type burn or upper discomfort, use an antacid or alginate as labelled—often after meals and at bedtime—to neutralise acid or create a protective raft.
• If pain increases, stools turn bloody, fever rises, or new symptoms appear, stop self‑care and seek clinical advice.
• Do not extend use beyond the label’s short‑term window without guidance; stick with one familiar product to keep tracking simple.
• Keep one trusted option in your home kit so you do not switch brands mid‑episode.

Foods to pause temporarily

• Pause very fatty, very spicy, and high‑fibre roughage for 24–48 hours, as these can irritate or speed transit when the gut is unsettled.
• Avoid alcohol until stools and appetite normalise; skip high‑acid foods if heartburn or upper discomfort appears.
• Limit dairy if it worsens bloating; re‑test tolerance with small amounts when stools firm.
• Skip sugar‑alcohol sweets (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol); these can pull water into the bowel and loosen stools.
• Keep portions at half‑size to start; small, frequent intakes strain the gut less than large meals.
• If a food triggers cramps, step back to fluids and retry a gentler option later.

Gentle re‑introduction: what to try first

• Start with plain rice, toast, dry crackers, ripe bananas, clear broths, or plain boiled potatoes; pick two items and rotate through the day.
• Add one new item at a time and wait 2–3 hours to confirm comfort before the next addition.
• Use simple cooking methods—boil, steam, bake; avoid heavy oils and thick sauces on day one.
• Keep salt moderate to replace losses, but avoid strong spices and chilli powder initially.
• Track what works; repeat the same two to three “safe” items for the first day back.
• If symptoms settle overnight, expand choices by one to two items the next day.

Hydration and electrolyte tips for the day

• Keep a measured bottle nearby; aim for 500 ml by midday and another 500 ml by evening, adjusting for tolerance and losses.
• Use a straw or soft‑tip bottle if sips feel easier; set a 10‑minute timer until you establish a steady rhythm.
• If taste is a barrier, chill fluids or use a lightly flavoured ORS; avoid citrus if acid aggravates symptoms.
• For children or older adults, confirm ORS volume by age/weight on the label and record each serving.
• Check urine colour every few hours; target pale yellow; dark or strong‑smelling urine signals a need for more fluid.
• Avoid energy drinks; high sugar and caffeine can aggravate cramps and loose stools.

How to read labels for short‑term relief

• Check age bands, maximum daily dose, and duration limits (often 24–48 hours unless advised otherwise).
• Follow spacing rules near other medicines and vitamins; binders and antacids can reduce absorption of some tablets.
• Confirm active ingredients and choose one mechanism at a time so you can track response.
• Review warnings for pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer history, or long‑term GI conditions; seek advice if any apply.
• Keep batch and expiry visible; do not use half‑used or unlabelled bottles from the cupboard.
• If unsure, bring the product to a pharmacist for a quick label check before use.

Simple at‑home kit to keep ready

• ORS sachets or ready‑to‑drink bottles, plus a measuring cup or oral syringe for accurate volumes.
• One binder or soothing gel you know you tolerate; keep the dosing spoon in the box for consistency.
• A clear fluid plan card (what to drink and when) and a one‑day symptom log template.
• A gentle foods list saved to your phone; keep a small reserve at home (rice, crackers, broth).
• A timer for regular sips and a small tray to keep items together and visible.
• A bin bag and wipes near the bathroom to manage spills and maintain hygiene.

When to pause home care and get advice

• Red flags: blood in stool, black tarry stool, high fever, severe or one‑sided abdominal pain, repeated vomiting that blocks fluids, confusion, or signs of severe dehydration.
• Age and health flags: frail adults, pregnant, recent abdominal surgery, or long‑term conditions should seek earlier advice.
• Time flags: symptoms that persist beyond 48 hours or worsen despite steady rehydration and a binder need assessment.
• Medicine flags: if you take medicines with narrow dosing windows (e.g., thyroid, anticoagulants), confirm timing around binders with a clinician or pharmacist.
• Food safety flags: symptoms after risky foods or travel may need tests; do not mask severe symptoms with repeated doses.
• If in doubt, call a pharmacist first for fast guidance on labels and safe next steps.

How to step back up after 24–48 hours

• Increase portions slowly; keep one “safe” item on each plate to anchor the stomach.
• Reintroduce fibre by degree: soft fruits and cooked vegetables before salads and bran‑heavy foods.
• Add lean proteins next—poached chicken, eggs, white fish; avoid fried options on the first day back.
• Re‑start dairy with small amounts if tolerated; consider lactose‑free briefly if bloating returns.
• Bring back coffee and spices last, in half servings to test comfort.
• Keep drinking water through the day; aim for your normal intake by day two or three.

What to track so you learn what works

• Fluids by hour and total by day; add extra sips after each loose stool.
• What you take and when (product, dose, time) and whether relief occurs within the label’s expected window.
• Foods and portions; note any cramps or urgency within two hours of eating.
• Toilet log: frequency, consistency trends, and any blood or black colour.
• Sleep and morning energy; better rest often signals recovery.
• Re‑triggers list: specific foods or drinks that set you back, so you can avoid them next time.

Buy Affordable Digestive Health Products

Shop labelled options for stomach upsets in one place. Browse oral rehydration solutions, antacids and alginates, and gentle soothing gels, then check age bands, spacing from other medicines, and duration limits on each product page. Pick formats you can use today—sachets, liquids, or tablets—and build a small at‑home kit so you are ready when symptoms start. If symptoms persist beyond 48 hours or red flags appear, ask a pharmacist for the next steps before taking more products. Visit the Stomach & Bowel category to compare formats and prices and add what you need to your basket now.