There are many ways to stay fit and healthy through exercise including physical exercises like sports, working out or other athletic activities. At times, however, you may begin to feel pain in your lower abdomen either during or shortly following physical exertion. Pain or discomfort in your muscles can be relatively common in most people, however at times this pain can become sharp or severe, which could be a symptom of a much more serious medical condition.
Abdominal Pain
There are many different types and causes of abdominal pain in adults, ranging from direct muscle injury to internal organ medical concerns. In addition, diseases such as food poisoning, the flu or appendicitis can also cause a great deal of pain in your lower abdomen before or after exercise. Determining the exact cause of your pain can be tricky at first, thus making the effort to seek medical attention that much more important to adequately address your symptoms.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition in which your appendix becomes inflamed and filled with pus. This condition can be very painful for most patients and is localized in the lower abdomen. This pain can increase in severity during physical exertion, often to the point of becoming unbearable to most people. If left untreated, your appendix can burst and cause infection in other areas of your internal organs, thus leading to further medical complications.
Injury
You can also experience a muscle strain or sprain in your lower abdomen due to the large number and concentration of muscles in this area of your body. A muscle strain refers to the tearing or stretching of a muscle or tendon from your bone, causing a great deal of pain and loss of function in the affected area. Such an injury in your lower abdomen may cause you to double over or leave you unable to stand or sit up straight.
Hernia
At times, your abdominal muscle may be stretched or strained enough to the point of rupture, thus allowing a portion of your intestines to push through your abdominal muscle wall, otherwise known as a hernia. You can experience a hernia in almost any portion of your abdomen, however inguinal hernias near your groin are considered to be most common in athletes who are lifting a great deal of weight. Surgical intervention is often required to properly treat a hernia.
