Stitch

Almost everyone knows Stitch. But what exactly are Side stitches actually? Where are you from? And what can you do about it? We will clarify these questions for you in the following, so that your fun in sport is never spoiled by a stitch in your side again.

What is a stitch?

Side stitches, also known as side stitches, are cramp-like, moderate to very severe pain. This pain occurs on the sides of the abdomen, at the level of the spleen (left) and / or at the level of the liver (right).

Of course, pain in this region is not necessarily a stitch in the side. They only occur in endurance sports, such as jogging. Often it affects untrained people who exceed their capabilities.

causes

Usually the cause of a stitch in the side is that the diaphragm does not get enough oxygen. This is partly because the exhalation phase is too short.

However, it can also be because the body generally suffers from a lack of oxygen due to intensive training. Side stitches can also have other causes. If you eat too much before training, the side stitch also occurs, because digestion requires a lot of blood, which in turn is lacking in other organs. As soon as the internal organs are not supplied with enough blood, they automatically release substances that can cause additional pain.

However, too much blood flow can cause stretching pain in the liver and spleen. Flatulence and constipation can also be a cause of a stitch in the side, as this means that there is not enough "space" in the abdomen to breathe really intensely.

Weak abdominal muscles can also be a reason for side stitches. Another theory suggests that an incorrect, stooped posture while running can lead to a stitch.

You can find your medication here

Diseases with this symptom

• Hypoxia
• Circulatory disorders

Diagnosis & course

Diagnosing a stitch is relatively easy, but it should be emphasized that stitch is not a disease.

In principle, anyone can diagnose side stitches themselves, even without asking a doctor for advice. In endurance sports, pain in the flank can usually be assumed to be a stitch in the side, provided that no other diseases are known. However, if the pain does not stop after the end of the sport, a doctor should be consulted.

The course is the same for everyone, but can vary slightly. Usually the pain starts slowly and then quickly gets worse and cramping, making it more and more strenuous to walk straight and breathe deeply, which then makes the pain worse.

Complications

If you have a stitch in your side, it is usually not necessary to see a doctor. In most cases the symptom disappears on its own and does not require special treatment by the doctor. It occurs very often when, during physical activity, food has been consumed beforehand or the posture is incorrect.

In these cases, stitching in the side occurs more frequently, which is particularly common with joggers and athletes. In the case of a stitch, the person affected should take a short break and change their posture. This means that more air can be absorbed through the lungs; correct and even breathing is important.

However, if the stitch occurs permanently or leads to extremely severe pain, a doctor can be consulted in these cases. In this case, the stitch may be a connection to another illness or other symptom. Even if the person concerned continues to exercise despite the stitch, there are usually no complications.

For most people, this symptom is a short-term problem that will go away within a few minutes. It is therefore not absolutely necessary to take a break if the pain is not too severe. With regular training, the stitch should no longer occur after a while.

When should you go to the doctor?

In most cases, there is no need to see a doctor if you have a stitch. This is especially the case when the patient needs to be sporty and active and the stitch occurs. It is a common symptom that usually disappears after a short time. Likewise, there is no need to consult a doctor if a meal was eaten before exercise or physical work that is difficult for the body to digest.

A visit to the doctor is necessary if the stitch occurs permanently and cannot be associated with physical activity or with eating. This could be a problem with the spleen, liver, or stomach in general that needs treatment. Medical treatment is also necessary if, in addition to the stitch, diarrhea and vomiting occur and the patient suffers from a general feeling of illness. If the pain is severe and unbearable, the emergency doctor can be called. As a rule, the family doctor can be visited first, who can determine the cause of the symptom and then refer the patient to a specialist.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

You can treat a stitch yourself and you don't have to take any medication or painkillers. The pain usually goes away on its own, but there are some tricks that can relieve the pain.

It can help to press and massage the painful area as it relaxes the area and the pain subsides. You should pay close attention to your breathing beforehand, but especially when the pain occurs, and breathe out as long as possible.

In addition, you should stop training as soon as possible, or at least reduce the load to a minimum. If, for example, the side stitches occur while running, you should only walk immediately and not continue until the side stitches have disappeared.

Another effective trick to treat the side stitches is to bend your upper body forward, raise your arms as you inhale, and lower your arms as you exhale.

Outlook & forecast

The sharp pain under the costal arch occurs while running and spreads over the entire abdomen. There are several theories about the origin of the pain, one of the most plausible being the reduced blood flow to the diaphragm due to insufficient oxygen. The diaphragm plays a special role in breathing. When running, vibrations occur and the internal organs move rhythmically with them. The diaphragm also makes these movements, and it also moves when you inhale and exhale. This creates tension, which in turn can lead to cramps.

Stitches in the side are a signal from the body that it is fighting against excessive demands. Even those who start their run too quickly will soon have to deal with a stitch in their side. A smooth start and the right preparation are necessary so that it does not come to that. Bad posture, weak abdominal muscles, improper breathing, and nervousness can also cause side stitches. It's harmless, but painful and uncomfortable.

Various strategies can help prevent side stitch. A light breakfast with low fiber and fat content is the best basis before the endurance run. It should be taken at least two hours before exercise. Nobody should do without the warm-up phase, because it loosens the muscles and prevents other injuries. A well trained core reduces rotations in the torso area.

You can find your medication here

prevention

In order to prevent a stitch in the side, it is important that you do not consume large amounts of food at least two hours before exercise, so that there is more space in the abdomen. After all, no blood is needed for digestion. It is also important that the abdominal muscles are strengthened in order to avoid side stitches. Proper breathing technique is of course very important in order not to let the pain occur in the first place. In addition, it is advisable not to talk to one another during exercise in order to be able to maintain the correct breathing rhythm.

You can do that yourself

For most people, the side stitch occurs primarily during exercise. In these cases, it is helpful not to eat anything for about an hour or two before exercising. Only light meals, such as fruits, are okay and do not put unnecessary strain on the body. Avoid drinking carbonated beverages.

If the stitch occurs, the pace of running must be slowed down; if the pain is severe, the person affected should stop completely and pause the activity. In many cases, the stitch occurs due to improper breathing. The person concerned should take care to breathe steadily and not too quickly. If the side stitch occurs frequently, it makes sense to do some breathing exercises. This can help fight the stitch. A healthy posture is also important when exercising. This is especially true for the people who jog a lot. You should also not talk while running in order to be able to control your breathing properly.

As a rule, the stitch in an experienced athlete disappears and does not reappear. However, it can lead to problems, especially at the beginning of an activity. In some cases, lightly massaging the spleen helps to make the pain go away.