Stitch

Dublin14

Hi there, can anyone offer any advice on what I can do when I get a stitch while running......? Also, can it be caused by dehydration?

windy bee

You're not fit enough, I used to get stitches when I first started running, now I can run 15 k without stopping and without stitches, get fitter and you will have this issue all sewn up (get the pun, har har )

mikemac

It's a good question and I don't think there's one cause that everyone agrees on. I tried googling "stitch" and "running" and just got results for knitting lol.

I was told it was from drinking a large quantity of cold water before running.
What I find that works is not to have a large meal or more usually lots of water before starting the run.

May sound obvious but it works for me.

Dublin14

Windy bee - that's what I thought...... I recently started back to the gym and got stitches quite often at the start but they soon stopped. I took a 2 week break and found that when I went back they started up again... I normally do 4km on the treadmill at a speed of 8. The stitch usually hits in the first 10 mins - more often than not i can run through it.......... Should I maybe look at doing 7.5 while building up my fitness?

Dr4gul4

If you get a stitch on you're right hand side, try exhaling when you put you're left foot on the ground.

I find this quite good, i no longer get stitches when running.

Sconsey

I remembered reading this recently....

Unstitch your side!
If you're like most people, when you run, you exhale as your right foot hits the ground. This puts downward pressure on your liver (which lives on your right side), which then tugs at the diaphragm and creates a side stitch, according to The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Men. The fix: Exhale as your left foot strikes the ground.

taken from here....
http://www.mohammadi.ca/?itemid=274

Hanley

^^that is SO random^^

PeakOutput

i thought a stitch was just a cramp in your diaphragm / intercostal muscles.........obviously not

hunnymonster

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0705.htm

Some info on stiches there. Not great but it was the best google threw up.


I find a couple of deep breaths which I hold for a couple of seconds sort out a stitch when I get one.

PeakOutput

hunnymonster wrote:

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0705.htm

Some info on stiches there. Not great but it was the best google threw up.


I find a couple of deep breaths which I hold for a couple of seconds sort out a stitch when I get one.

i particularly like the ad for www.realjocks.com at the end of that page

hunnymonster

Gosh, I must be slipping. I didn't even notice it:o