Why does my stomach hurt as soon as I start running?
Oct 12, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Chao
Introduction
The causes of abdominal pain during running can be divided into non-pathological and pathological factors, explained as follows. Non-pathological factors: inadequate warm-up before exercise, eating too much, or drinking excessive amounts of water prior to exercise may all lead to transient abdominal pain, which does not have a substantial impact on health. Pathological factors include diseases such as kidney stones, gallstones, and pancreatitis.
The causes of abdominal pain during running can be divided into non-pathological and pathological factors. The specific details are explained as follows.
I. Non-pathological Factors
Inadequate warm-up before exercise, eating too much, or drinking excessive fluids prior to physical activity may all lead to transient abdominal pain, which does not have any substantial impact on health.
II. Pathological Factors
1. Kidney Stones
Physical activity can facilitate the passage of kidney stones. During this process, stones may scratch the urethra, causing pain. It is recommended to drink plenty of water daily and perform jumping exercises to help expel the stones. Oral stone-expelling granules can be used; if conservative treatment proves ineffective, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or surgical intervention should be considered.
2. Cholelithiasis (Gallstones)
After consuming greasy foods, the biliary system increases bile discharge into the intestines, thereby increasing its workload, which often triggers biliary diseases. The primary treatment for cholelithiasis is surgical removal of the gallbladder. Surgery not only provides definite therapeutic results but also prevents serious complications such as malignant tumors of the biliary system or biliary obstruction caused by gallstones.
3. Pancreatitis
In many people, the bile duct and pancreatic duct share a common opening into the intestine. When biliary disease causes obstruction at this opening, it may trigger pancreatitis. Treatment mainly focuses on suppressing pancreatic secretion and enzyme activity to control the condition. Somatostatin and octreotide inhibit the pancreas from secreting digestive juices, while gabexate and aprotinin suppress trypsin activity. In severe cases, surgical treatment may be required. It is important to avoid unhealthy dietary habits, including irregular meal times, binge eating, consuming spicy foods (such as heavily seasoned dishes), and ingesting large amounts of irritants like strong tea, coffee, and alcohol.
Poor dietary habits are both a root cause and major contributing factor for many digestive system disorders. Try to minimize intake of fried, pickled, and highly processed foods, such as fried chicken, pickles, and potato chips.
