Exercise is good for muscle mass increase and overall health; however, some people experience stomach cramps and sharp abdominal pains directly following an intense workout. Rice University states that this problem is especially common in runners that train for hours at a time. When pain is so intense that you are unable perform daily activities, consult your physician before attempting to resume exercise.
Causes
Intense exercise works your major muscle groups as well as increasing your breathing. According to Rice University, the main cause for stomach pain following exercise is the decrease of oxygen that is administered to your muscles once your breathing becomes labored. Gastrointestinal reasons such as hernia and ulcers are also to blame for post-exercise pain. For gastrointestinal problems, intense exercise should be avoided at all cost. Dehydration is also to blame for bouts of pain after intense workout with pain ranging from mild to severe, according to PubMed.gov.
Treatment and Prevention
Drinking eight to 10 glasses of water daily as well as replenishing your electrolytes during exercise keeps your body hydrated, thus preventing dehydration-induced abdominal pain. Applying ice to your abdomen will reduce swelling and pain while heat will help reduce muscle soreness. Other treatment options may require assistance from your physician such as medications to heal ulcers and prevent excessive bleeding. Changing your workout intensity can also help prevent or alleviate post exercise abdominal pain by providing a lighter workout and helping build your endurance level with time.
Emergency
Although sometimes harmless and treatable at home, abdominal pain may be indicative of a more serious condition requiring immediate medical attention at your local emergency room. Severe pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, bleeding or headache should be treated immediately. This could be due to internal injury or an underlying medical condition that you were not aware of. Call 911 instead of driving yourself to the hospital.
Recovery
Recovering from stomach pain after your workouts is something you should discuss with your physician. Some standard pointers to consider include adequate fluid intake, rest and treatment with OTC pain medications as directed by your doctor. If you are suffering from an ulcer, it is important that you avoid aspirin or other medications known to thin the blood. Alternating cold and warm at the pain site will help provide relief from pain and inflammation as your body heals itself. Avoid exercise while your pain is present, to prevent worsening of your condition.
