There are a variety of reasons you might suffer pain in your lower abdomen while standing, walking or exercising. Pay attention to the circumstances in which you feel your pain to get a better idea of its cause. If your pain is persistent, severe or comes along with other symptoms always seek medical attention.
A Stitch
The abdominal pain you feel while walking or exercising may simply be a stitch. You'll feel this cramping pain on one side of your abdomen, most likely when you are running or walking quickly. The erect position of standing or walking is almost always a factor when you get a stitch in your side. The stitch may be caused by strain on the abdominal ligaments that are attached to your diaphragm. That's why eating or drinking prior to exercise is often a factor.
Cardiovascular Disease
If you have abdominal pain when you stand, walk or exercise it may be a warning sign that you have cardiovascular disease. This is especially true if you are older than 35. You also may feel nausea, dizziness and general fatigue. If you are a man older than 40 who has been sedentary or a woman who has undergone menopause, you should undergo a treadmill test to determine whether you have cardiovascular disease before starting a new workout regimen, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons book, ""Athletic Training and Sports Medicine."
Muscle Strain
Muscle strains may be the culprit. In fact, the rectus abdominis is the muscle that's most commonly injured, notes "Fundamentals of Sports Injury Management," author Marcia K. Anderson. Your abdominal muscle may suffer a strain due to a sudden twist, a sudden spine extension or even during a forceful exhalation while weight lifting. Raising your leg out straight is likely to increase your pain. Use ice, rest and anti-inflammatory medication for 36 to 48 hours. Avoid turning or twisting until your pain subsides. See a doctor if it is severe or persistent.
Hernia
Abdominal hernias often cause pain, though not always. If you have a strangulated hernia you will experience steady and gradually increasing pain. Nausea or vomiting are other symptoms. The hernia itself will be tender, and you may have diffuse tenderness as well. Since hernias often are apparent only when abdominal pressure is increased, your doctor is likely to examine you while you are in a standing position. If your hernia is not strangulated it can be repaired via a standard incision or laparoscopy. If it is strangulated you need urgent surgical repair.
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