Runners often feel some sort of pain in their abdomens, often due to dehydration or to simple muscle spasms. However, there are numerous potential causes for abdominal pain after running. If you continue to feel pain in your abdomen after running, or if the pain seems to be getting worse, see your doctor to determine the cause.
Side Stitch
In many cases, pain you feel in your abdomen after running will stem from simple spasms in the walls of your abdominal muscles. This pain, known as a side stitch, occurs frequently in runners, especially in runners who work out intensely or who recently have increased the intensity of their routines. Side stitches most often appear while you're running but can occur immediately after your workout, as you cool down. To alleviate the pain of a side stitch, breathe deeply and massage the affected muscles with your hand.
Gastrointestinal Pain
Runners also frequently suffer from gastrointestinal pain and other problems. In addition to stomach or intestinal pain, you might have belching, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea or bloating. It's not entirely clear why runners get these symptoms, but dehydration appears to play a role. If you experience gastrointestinal pain in your abdomen after running, make sure you're well-hydrated to combat it.
Other Potential Causes
If you're a woman experiencing pain in the abdomen after running, you may suffer from uterine fibroids or endometriosis. According to Running Times magazine, either can cause this type of pain. Bladder infections or urinary tract infections also can cause pain in the abdomen after running, as can joint inflammation.
Considerations
If you can't cure the pain in your abdomen after running by taking steps to avoid side stitches and dehydration, ask your physician to help you rule out more serious potential causes. Once you've done that, consider changing the time of day you run or taking pain- or cramp-reducing medication before you run to reduce your pain.
