What's wrong with sudden stomach pain while running

Sudden stomach pain during running may be related to factors such as improper diet before exercise, incorrect breathing patterns, gastrointestinal spasms, abdominal muscle strains, chronic gastrointestinal diseases, etc. Abdominal pain during running is usually manifested as intermittent colic or persistent dull pain, which can be relieved by adjusting breathing rhythm, reducing exercise intensity, and other methods.

1. Improper diet before exercise

Consuming too much food or high-fat and difficult to digest food before running may lead to increased gastrointestinal burden. Intense exercise when food in the stomach is not fully digested can cause blood to concentrate on the muscles, leading to insufficient blood supply to the gastrointestinal tract and causing spasmodic pain. It is recommended to eat a small amount of easily digestible carbohydrates 1-2 hours before exercise, and avoid consuming fried foods or high fiber foods.

2. Incorrect breathing pattern

Shallow breathing or irregular breathing rhythm can lead to diaphragm hypoxia spasm, manifested as sharp pain below the rib arch. When running, abdominal breathing should be adopted, maintaining a rhythm of 1:2 between inhalation and exhalation time. If there is a bifurcation phenomenon, it can be relieved by taking deep breaths and pressing the painful area.

3. Gastrointestinal spasm

Abnormal increase in intestinal peristalsis during exercise may cause paroxysmal colic, which is commonly seen in low-temperature environments or when drinking water too quickly. This is related to stimulation of visceral nerves and intestinal ischemia. Proper hot compress of the abdomen and supplementation of electrolyte containing warm water can improve symptoms. Continuous colic lasting for more than 30 minutes requires vigilance for mesenteric vascular issues.

4. Abdominal muscle strain

Insufficient or sudden acceleration of the core muscle group can easily cause slight tearing of the rectus abdominis muscle, with pain mostly concentrated around the navel and worsening with changes in position. Manifested as local tenderness and restricted movement, exercise should be stopped initially and cold compress should be applied. After 48 hours, hot compress can be applied to promote recovery.

5. Chronic gastrointestinal diseases

Patients with a history of gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. may experience disease attacks due to visceral vibrations during exercise. Pain is often accompanied by symptoms such as acid reflux and diarrhea, and treatment should be targeted at the underlying disease. It is recommended to improve gastrointestinal endoscopy to rule out organic diseases for recurrent abdominal pain.

If you experience sudden abdominal pain while running, you should immediately slow down to walking, press the painful area with your hands, and adjust your breathing rhythm. Daily attention should be paid to avoiding food 2 hours before exercise, doing sufficient warm-up activities, and maintaining regular breathing during exercise. Choose sportswear with good breathability and pay attention to keeping your abdomen warm in cold weather. If the pain persists or is accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting and bloody stools, timely medical attention should be sought to rule out acute abdominal conditions such as appendicitis and intestinal obstruction. Regular core muscle training can enhance abdominal tolerance, and it is recommended to gradually adapt from low-intensity exercise.