Causes and Prevention Measures of Pain in the Lower Left Abdomen during Running

Many people have experienced pain in the lower left abdomen during running, which is often physiological. For instance, running after a meal or on an empty stomach, or eating too much before running can easily lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction, resulting in spasmodic abdominal pain during exercise. Additionally, chronic abdominal diseases such as cholecystitis and chronic hepatitis can also cause such symptoms. What causes the pain in the lower left abdomen during running? Let's explore below.

Causes of Pain in the Lower Left Abdomen during Running

1. Gastrointestinal spasms: Running on an empty stomach or after a meal, eating too much or drinking excessively (especially excessive cold drinks) before exercise can cause gastrointestinal dysfunction and spasms, leading to abdominal pain. Eating too quickly before exercise, eating too much or consuming difficult-to-digest foods such as beans, potatoes, milk, and flour products can also cause bloating due to excessive gas production. Combined with intense exercise, the abdominal pressure rises, and the peritoneum is stretched, causing abdominal pain. Additionally, factors such as cold exposure to the abdomen, constipation, and irritation from intestinal parasites can also cause intestinal spasms and abdominal pain.

2. Chronic abdominal diseases: Patients with chronic diseases such as chronic hepatitis, cholecystitis, gastric ulcer, or chronic appendicitis may experience pain when participating in intense exercise due to irritation and stimulation of the affected areas.

3. Running or intense exercise after meals: Swallowing a large amount of air during exercise can expand the stomach, leading to gastroesophageal reflux, causing symptoms such as belching, hiccups, heartburn, or nausea, which can result in upper abdominal bloating and pain.

Prevention and Treatment Measures

1. Adequately prepare before running and gradually increase the pace during the run. It is advisable to eat or drink a small amount before running and avoid immediate running or exercise after meals as it can cause abdominal pain and, over time, lead to indigestion.

2. When experiencing abdominal pain during running, generally, slowing down, deepening the breath, pressing on the painful area, or bending over to run for a while can help alleviate the pain.

After reading this explanation, you now have a basic understanding of why the left side of your abdomen may hurt during running. If you experience this symptom frequently, it is recommended to consult a doctor for a check-up. If your health is normal, you can try the treatment measures mentioned above. Remember to gradually increase the intensity of your exercise and avoid overexertion.