What causes side-aches?

Question

What causes side aches while running? What is going on in your body during a side ache?

Answer 1

Good question I was always told it was when you were dehydrated and when you pulled a muscle or something.

Anyway hope I helped :)

Answer 2

I am a runner and get these things chronically.

It is from when you exhale your diaphram moves upward, while your foot striking the ground causes your organs (mainly your liver) to drop.

This stretching of the diaphram causes a side stitch (cramp) to develope.

It is simply a cramp of the diaphram

Some trick to prevent it are to...

Exhale when your left foot hits the ground

Stay hydrated (water)

Eat banans and orange juice for potassium

Take deep belly breaths

strengthen your abdominal muscles.

Hope this helps.