If you're a girl who is experiencing severe pain in your side after running, you're probably getting a side stitch, also known as exercise-related transient abdominal pain. However, issues with your gastrointestinal system can also cause pain. Such issues are not limited to girls only; boys can experience these same types of pains as well after running.
Identification
A stitch is a sharp and stabbing pain that often occurs at the bottom part of your ribcage. The right side is most commonly affected by this pain, reports the Stretching Institute. The pain may be severe enough that you're forced to lower the intensity of your run or stop running entirely. If you experience pain because of your gastrointestinal system, you may develop a stomachache in combination with nausea, diarrhea, bloating, cramping, flatulence or vomiting.
Cause
The exact cause of side stitches is unknown; however, it's hypothesized that stretching the diaphragm muscles and ligaments induces the pain. As you inhale, your lungs fill with air, forcing the diaphragm down, and as you exhale, your lungs contract, allowing the diaphragm to rise. If you exhale at the same time your foot hits the ground, the diaphragm is forced upward as the lungs contract, causing a jarring and pulling of the ligaments, according to the Stretching Institute. It's also thought that vigorous breathing may reduce the oxygen supplied to the muscles, causing a pain in your side, writes Rice University. If the pain occurs in the gastrointestinal system, dehydration is often the cause.
Treatment
To treat a stitch, stop running until the pain subsides. While tightening your abdominal muscles, bend forward and massage the affected area. Also, breathe through pursed lips, recommends the American Council on Exercise. Avoid running at speeds that do not match your fitness level since this increases your risk of side stitches. Resting and rehydrating is the best treatment for most gastrointestinal problems experienced while running.
Prevention
To prevent side stitches, try switching which foot hits the ground as you exhale. If your right foot hits, than try exhaling when the left foot hits the ground instead. Other ways to prevent side stitches include stretching your lower back and abdominal muscles before running, warming up for 15 minutes prior to your run and avoiding running on a full stomach. To prevent dehydration, drink 400 to 600 mL of cold water 10 to 20 minutes before running, recommends Rice University. The cold water empties from your stomach faster than liquids at body temperature.
