Stomach cramps while running
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Anonymous
| My teenage daughter has been suffering from cramps while running for the last year. We've talked to her cross country coach and made sure that she's sufficiently hydrated and she has taken the electrolyte tablets in water. She ran cross country her freshman year and didn't have any problems, but now the cramps have been consistent over her sophomore year. Even while just running on her own for exercise. I'd like to have a doctor look at her but I'm not sure what type of doctor would be best. Any advice or suggestions? |
Anonymous
| Where is she feeling the stomach cramps the most? |
Anonymous
| Both under the ribs and lower down in her abdomen. She said that if she presses on the rib cramps, that helps while she is running. |
Anonymous
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Our kids have battled this - and seems to be a combination of things. A lot of runners have to figure out diet before running - 1-3 hours before., maybe even more hours. There maybe slight sensitives that show up in running and seem to come on more after puberty. Common culprits: high fructose corn syrup, natural fructose, sweeteners even "natural" like stevia, dairy, ingredients in higher processed foods. The electrolyte tablets may have something - we one time made that mistake. Often sports drinks can create issues for runners because there is a fructose sensitivities - we are careful on that.. From what I understand, when you run your blood is pumping more which then speeds up the digestive system which can cause more issues.
There are issues where you can have inflammation in the rib cage cartilage. but given the cramping below seems more GI related. |
Anonymous
| She isn't running with correct form. Getting a stitch in your side happens when you aren't getting enough oxygen while running. If her coach doesn't know how to correct her form, you should look into Chi running which addresses a lot of these issues. |
Anonymous
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Thanks for the chi running recommendation. I think it's a breathing issue for her. I'll try to find an area coach who can work with her on breathing.
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Anonymous
| Is she gassy, maybe due to lactose intolerance or running on an empty stomach? I had to run on a very empty stomach the other day (scheduling issues and its' better than running on a full stomach) and I had horrible cramps because my stomach was empty and I think I had gas buildup. |
Anonymous
| Yea sounds like a running technique/form rather than something wrong with her body. I'm remember having those problems when I started out running. |
Anonymous
| The only way I avoid cramps is to run first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Running in the afternoon (when I assume her CC practice is) is almost guaranteed to give me cramps or a side stitch. My first inclination would be to make sure she’s eating very easily digestible food for lunch. |
Anonymous
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Any suggestions for easily digestible foods? (I'm not a runner so I'm clueless about this.) We have had her avoid dairy on race days in case lactose might be an issue.
Right now she runs at different times of the day because it's not her school's cross country season. I may have her keep a running log to document what she eats and how she feels running. I think it will also be good to have someone help her with her breathing. |
Anonymous
This is what causes my side stitch. If I can get the gas out, the side stitch goes away. Thankfully, I mostly run outside 
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Anonymous
Try not to eat anything greasy or acidic before a run. So no OJ or hamburgers  .
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