Why does my stomach hurt every afternoon, and what should I do about it?

Abdominal pain refers to pain in the belly. Experiencing abdominal pain every afternoon may be caused by irregular eating habits, gastritis, gastric ulcers, or other reasons. Treatment can include dietary adjustments and medication. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Irregular diet

If a patient frequently consumes raw, cold, spicy, or irritating foods during lunch, these can stimulate the intestinal mucosa, leading to abdominal pain in the afternoon. Medications such as Changyanning tablets or multiprotease tablets may be taken under medical guidance. Patients should avoid greasy and spicy foods like fried chicken, fried dough sticks, and spicy strips in daily life, and instead consume light foods such as millet porridge, which are easier to digest.

2. Chronic gastritis

Long-term irregular eating or overeating may damage the gastric mucosa, leading to chronic inflammatory changes. Clinically, this may present with intermittent abdominal pain, bloating, and acid reflux. Under a doctor's guidance, patients may take medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules or ranitidine hydrochloride capsules for treatment.

3. Gastric ulcer

Long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, or eating excessively hot or spicy foods can irritate and damage the gastric mucosa. Once injured, the mucosa is prone to developing ulcers, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and stomach discomfort. Patients may take medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules or bismuth potassium citrate tablets as directed by a physician.

In addition to the common causes mentioned above, afternoon abdominal pain might also be related to conditions such as appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, or adhesions. If symptoms persist, patients are advised to seek timely medical evaluation at a hospital and cooperate with doctors for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.