Side Aches?!
Question: what are side aches caused by? I get them when i run for a while
Answers: what are side aches caused by? I get them when i run for a while
Although side-aches happen literally everyday, nobody seems to know what exactly causes side aches...
FACT! None of the experts can seem to agree on what exactly is the cause of side aches, but there are a couple theories. Side-aches usually occur on the right side of the body, although they have been known to plague both sides. Many theories are available to explain why side-aches happen, but no one is really 100% sure. We've outlined the two most popular theories along with some handy tips.
Theory 1: Side aches are muscle spasms caused by drinking too much before exercising.
- Even though you want to be well hydrated and well fed, drinking a lot of water or eating right before exercising is not the correct way to do this. To avoid a fluid or food induced side ache, make sure to start drinking water early on in the day, not just right before exercising. Regular water intake is much better than an all-at-once approach, even if you aren't planning on exercising. Eat food at least two hours, if not more, before exercising. If a side ache happens even with careful food & fluid intake, slow your pace and walk for a few minutes until the side ache diminishes.
Theory 2: Side aches are muscle spasms caused by jolting exercises pulling down on the diaphragm.
- The diaphragm is a muscle that stretches across the middle of the body (right under the ribs) and is involved in breathing. The movement of the diaphragm upwards allows us to expel air, while the downward movement of the diaphragm allows the lungs to fill with air. Attached to the diaphragm by connective tissue are other body organs, like the liver, stomach and spleen. The jolting movement of running makes these organs tug down on the diaphragm, putting extra pressure on this muscle and causing it to go into spasms. Stopping this side-stitch as it occurs can only be accomplished if you stop running and allow the spasm to pass. A long-term approach to avoiding this type of side ache is to develop better stomach muscles to support your inner organs. As you become more physically fit, side aches should start to fade away, maybe even permanently.
Even if we never really know what causes a side ache, experimenting with different approaches to avoid them may the best way to stop them all together.