Why does my stomach and intestines hurt when I press on them, and what should I do?

Pressing on the stomach or intestines causes pain, which may be related to poor diet, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastritis, gastric ulcers, and other factors. Patients should promptly visit a hospital for evaluation and receive active treatment once the underlying cause is identified. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Poor Diet

If one consistently neglects dietary habits—such as frequently overeating or binge eating—it can easily lead to a feeling of fullness and bloating, causing pain when pressure is applied to the stomach area. No special treatment is required; taking a light walk after meals may help promote digestion.

2. Indigestion

Regularly consuming hard-to-digest foods, eating too quickly, or overeating can increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, impairing digestion and absorption of food, leading to indigestion. Symptoms such as abdominal bloating and pain may occur, with tenderness upon pressing the abdomen. Patients may take medications such as Jianwei Xiaoshi tablets or domperidone tablets under medical guidance.

3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, and indigestion. Pressing on the abdominal area may trigger pain. Treatment may include medications such as alverine citrate capsules or pinaverium bromide tablets, taken as prescribed by a doctor.

4. Gastritis

Gastritis refers to inflammation of the gastric mucosa, commonly caused by infections, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), excessive alcohol consumption, or excessive gastric acid secretion. Pressing on the stomach may provoke pain in the inflamed area. Medications such as compound pepsin capsules or colloidal bismuth pectin capsules may be used under medical supervision to relieve discomfort.

5. Gastric Ulcer

Gastric ulcers are primarily caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. Patients often experience stomach pain, post-meal fullness, and loss of appetite. Pressure on the gastrointestinal area may intensify irritation and worsen pain. Patients may follow medical advice to take proton pump inhibitors such as ilaprazole enteric-coated tablets or omeprazole magnesium enteric-coated tablets to alleviate symptoms.

Patients are advised to seek timely medical evaluation and undergo treatment under the guidance of a healthcare professional.