Stomach Pain When Running Left Side?

Stomach Pain When Running Left Side
There is an old proverb -“no pain, no gain”. We all know pain and workout go hand in hand. Sore muscles after an intense workout session mean your form was right and you targeted the right muscle groups as required while performing a particular exercise.

But some kinds of pain have a different meaning and are caused due to different reasons. Like the one on either side of your abdomen that you experience after running a few miles or a cardio session. Pain in the sides of the abdomen, also known as side stitches is experienced by most people on a daily basis.

The nasty, sharp cramp that occurs just under your ribs, typically during an intense cardio session or a core workout can slow down a good workout when you thought to pull it off well. Many of you would have wondered why this happens. Well, here is the answer.

The reason for side stitches Side stitch is also referred to as exercise-related transient abdominal pain (ETAP). It is a sharp and stabbing pain felt on either side of your abdomen, mostly on the right side. It is generally experienced during prolonged athletic activities, such as running, basketball, or cardio workout.

Truth be told, the exact cause of a side stitch is unknown. There are several theories related to it. But which one is absolutely correct is yet to be determined. The most common theory is that the increased blood flow in the liver and spleen during intense cardio movement causes the pain on the sides of the abdomen.

  1. Another theory suggests that pain is caused by internal organs while pulling down the diaphragm.
  2. The pain is also believed to be caused due to irritation in the lining of the abdominal and pelvic cavity.
  3. There is no clear answer to this common health concern.
  4. Researchers are still trying to pinpoint the exact cause.

How to deal with side stitches As the exact cause of the pain is not known, it is difficult to say what can help. However, there are small tricks that have proven to be beneficial in reducing pain. Trying these tricks will provide you with some relief from the pain and let you finish your workout easily.

When running, take small breaks or slow down. Do not hold your breath while exercising. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly. When you feel the pain in the abdomen perform some stretching exercises like reaching one hand overhead and bending on the sides. Gently massage the area with your fingers. Stay hydrated while exercising and avoid fizzy drinks. While exercising make sure your posture is correct. Do not exercise immediately after having a heavy meal.

Contents

What are the most common causes of left abdominal pain while exercising?

Pain in Lower Left Side of Abdomen When Exercising Stomach Pain When Running Left Side New exercisers often experience abdominal pain from overexertion. Image Credit: vitapix/E+/GettyImages Pain in your lower left abdominal while exercising is not uncommon. If you only feel this pain while working out, it is probably nothing more than a side stitch or side ache.

  1. But, according to MayoClinic.com, other causes of pain in the lower left abdominal area include appendicitis, cancer, endometriosis, injury, intestinal obstruction, kidney infections and a torn colon.
  2. Some of these conditions are severe, so see a doctor if you have intense abdominal pain that concerns you.
You might be interested:  How To Treat Cat Skin Disease?

Side stitches, also known as cramps or side aches, are a common pain for new exercisers. Despite being painful, side stitches are not a cause for concern and will go away when you stop exercising. To prevent side stitches, don’t drink too much water or eat gas-producing foods before exercising.

  1. This is a common problem for those just starting an exercise program.
  2. As you get into better shape, your side stitches should subside.
  3. When you start to feel a cramp, take a long, slow breath as if you are breathing through a straw and then blow out hard.
  4. Abdominal pain while exercising may be a result of an injury.

If you pull a muscle or push yourself too hard, your abdomen may feel sore. Prevent this by not pushing yourself too hard. It is common to feel sore the day after an intense abdominal workout, so try to take a day off between resistance exercises that work your stomach.

  • If an exercise hurts, stop doing it and let your body recover.
  • You can try different exercises that don’t hurt until your abdomen has healed.
  • Appendicitis is the result of an inflamed appendix that is usually treated by removing the appendix.
  • The pain usually starts at the belly button and travels to the lower right side of your abdomen, but according to MayoClinic.com, you may experience pain on your left side as well.

This pain becomes sharper over several hours and often is accompanied by nausea, loss of appetite, fever, constipation, diarrhea and abdominal swelling. If you think you have appendicitis, contact your doctor immediately as this is a medical emergency.

  1. Endometriosis is a chronic disease that happens when a woman’s uterus lining grows outside her uterus.
  2. This leads to pelvic pain and can be serious.
  3. Pain also occurs with periods, intercourse, bowel movements and urination.
  4. If you think you have endometriosis, see your doctor right away.
  5. Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

: Pain in Lower Left Side of Abdomen When Exercising

What are the most common abdominal issues among runners?

Side Stitch –

You might be interested:  Pain In The Arch Of My Foot When I Walk?

Also known as exercise-related transient abdominal pain (ETAP), side stitches are one of the most common abdominal issues among runners. As the name implies, a side stitch refers to the stabbing pain around the ribs while running, usually on the right side of the abdomen or even in the lower abdominal area.

The pain can be achy or dull as well as sharp and stabbing. It comes out of sudden, without previous signs. Research published in 2015 by Australian researchers revealed that 70 percent of runners surveyed reported having experienced a side stitch while running in the past year. Yes, it’s very common. The Cause Science is quite unsure what causes side stitches, but there are many theories.

The most common one is that it’s caused by the pulling of the belly organ ligaments on the diaphragm but could also be brought on by the bouncing forces inside the abdominal wall as well as running too soon after eating. Other common causes that may contribute to side stitches include

  • Bad form
  • Improper breathing technique
  • Consuming too much food or drinks before a run

Why does my stomach hurt when I run?

Heart Burn –

Another common cause of abdominal pain from running is what’s known as heartburn. This occurs when some of the stomach content “travels” back up into your food pipe, the esophagus. The condition causes a stinging sensation in the upper abdomen as well as the chest and can cause burping, belching, gagging, and other uncomfortable symptoms while running.

If chronic, as in it occurs more than a couple of times per week followed by constant soureness in your mouth or throat, experts usually refer to it as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), The Cause Running, which is a high-impact sport, can disturb the flow of acidic content in your stomach. The harder you push yourself, the more commonly this strikes.

What’s more? Running may trigger heartburn if the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle is worn-out or too relaxed. This lets some stomach content escape into the esophagus, causing trouble. Diet also matters. Certain foods, such as acidic foods, spicy food, and carbonated sodas, rich in gluten may also contribute to exercise-induced heartburn.

Eep in mind that in some cases, a heart burn-like pain can be a sign of something more serious, such as an ulcer, or God forbid, a heart attack. How To Manage Heart Burn While Running Take the following steps to treat and prevent heartburn during running. Change Your Diet It may take some trial and error to find the trigger but start by avoiding some of the usual culprits, chocolate, and food and drinks with tomato and citrus, spicy foods, and orange juice.

Then see. Avoid sleeping at least 2 hours after your last meal. Eat Three to Four Hours Before Running Experiment with how long before a run you can have a light snack—30 minutes, one hour, two hours, etc.—without any trouble. Maybe you can have a small meal an hour pre-run trouble-free.

  • Or you may need to eat three to four hours before running to give your stomach time to empty.
  • Loosen Your Waistband In some cases, the reason behind your heartburn boils down to wearing tight clothing that compresses your stomach.
  • Try wearing roomier pair of running shorts and legwear.
  • If you are using a belt, try loosening it.
You might be interested:  How To Treat Chemical Burn On Face From Skincare?

Also, pay attention to any compression garment you’re using. Medicate Taking over-the-counter drugs, such as Mylanta, nexium, or chewable antacids may also help. Antacids work best as it’s the ingredient that neutralizes stomach ache. It works the fastest and be taken during your training if symptoms develop.

  1. What causes pain on the right side of the abdomen?

    Other causes of left-side stomach pain – If not due to gas, here are some causes of left side stomach pain – Appendicitis – While appendicitis pain is usually felt on the right side of the body, the initial pain often begins near the belly button and can be misinterpreted as coming from the left.

    If left untreated, an appendicitis infection can lead to serious complications. Keep an eye out for pain moving to the right side of the abdomen, as well as fever, nausea, and vomiting, and seek medical attention right away. Diverticulosis – It is an inflammation of the diverticula pouches in the large intestine and is one of the most common causes of pain on the left side.

    It leads to abdominal pain, fever, and nausea. It is not a severe condition it can be treated. Stones in the kidneys – Kidney stones, also known as nephrolithiasis, are calcium or uric acid deposits that accumulate in the kidneys. When they pass through the urinary tract, they are excruciatingly painful.

    • Common kidney stone symptoms include left side or back pain, painful urination, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
    • If you notice any of these symptoms of kidney stone pain, go to the nearest emergency room.
    • Constipation – Constipation is another cause of abdominal pain on the left side of the body.
    • Constipation is usually caused by a lack of exercise, dehydration, or a low-fiber diet.

    Most cases of constipation do not necessitate a trip to the emergency room and can be easily alleviated by increasing daily movement and drinking plenty of water. Ulcers in the stomach – Stomach ulcers, also known as gastritis or stomach inflammation, are sores in the stomach lining that are frequently caused by infections or the overuse of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).