What Causes Stomach Pain?

Stomach pain may result from irregular eating habits, abdominal exposure to cold, superficial gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric ulcers, and other causes. Symptoms can be alleviated through regular meals, adequate abdominal warmth, and appropriate symptomatic medication. However, if stomach pain occurs frequently or is severe, prompt medical consultation is essential.

1. Irregular Eating Habits: Skipping meals, inconsistent mealtimes, or erratic eating patterns disrupt the stomach’s natural digestive rhythm and irritate the gastric mucosa, leading to dull or distending abdominal discomfort. It is recommended to establish consistent, portion-controlled meal times—avoiding both overeating and prolonged fasting.

2. Abdominal Exposure to Cold: Cold exposure to the abdomen may trigger spasmodic contraction of gastric smooth muscle, resulting in sudden-onset stomach pain. To prevent this, maintain adequate abdominal warmth daily—avoid drafts and excessive air conditioning—and limit intake of raw, cold, or chilled foods.

3. Superficial Gastritis: This condition involves mild inflammatory damage to the gastric mucosa, impairing digestive function. Patients often experience postprandial distension or dull epigastric pain, which worsens with dietary indiscretion. Under physician guidance, medications such as rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets, sucralfate suspension, and Jianwei Xiaoshi Pian (a traditional Chinese medicine for digestion support) may be used to relieve symptoms.

4. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Lower esophageal sphincter relaxation allows gastric contents to reflux into the esophagus, causing heartburn and sharp epigastric pain—particularly exacerbated when lying down after meals. Under medical supervision, prokinetic agents (e.g., mosapride tablets), proton pump inhibitors (e.g., lansoprazole enteric-coated tablets), and antacids (e.g., aluminum-magnesium hydroxide suspension) may help alleviate symptoms.

5. Gastric Ulcer: A gastric ulcer involves a localized break in the gastric mucosa. Gastric acid contacting the ulcerated area typically causes rhythmic, often postprandial, epigastric pain. Treatment under physician guidance may include pantoprazole sodium enteric-coated capsules, bismuth potassium citrate granules, and Kangfu Xin Ye (a traditional Chinese medicine promoting tissue repair).

For long-term gastric health, maintain a bland, gentle diet; avoid spicy, greasy, raw, or cold foods; adhere to regular sleep-wake cycles; manage stress effectively; chew food thoroughly and eat slowly—thereby minimizing recurrent episodes of stomach pain.