I've been plagued with side stitches when I exercise for as long as I can remember. I don't always get them, but sometimes the pain is excruciating. Sometimes, they are all that stands between me and a "personal best."
Here's what I know...
Alot of times I don't get them. I can swim 3000 yards, or bike for 40 miles no problem. Then sometimes, I even feel them coming on when I'm just walking around the house.
They are always on the right side, just below my rib cage.
When I swim I get them less (almost never) if I alternate breath than if I breath on one side. They are more likely if I breath on the left. I get them more in backstroke than in any other stroke.
I thought drinking gatorade before I swam helped, but yesterday I put 50/50 gatorade/water in my bottle and went for a ride. I was fighting a side stitch and an upset stomach the whole ride.
If I stop and do forced, controled breathing, I can often end a side stitch. I don't like to do this because it could adversely affect my finish in a swim, a time trial or a trialthon. Also, the stitch may or may not come back.
Questions:
Is there anything that I can do that would consistantly prevent them?
Is there a better source of electrolytes than gatorade?
Should I see a doctor?
Parents
Former Member
A few years ago when I was into running I sometimes had problems with stitches, as I recall the key factor was hydration, if you are really well hydrated you are less likely to get stitches. If you are getting a stitch almost immediately this would tend to indicate you are not well hydrated when you are starting out. The other factor in running was that if you breath in rhythm with stride you can cause stitches, it is hard to see this applying to swimming as I thought the cause had to do with internal organs bouncing around when your diaphram was relaxed or not but you mention breathing pattern making a difference. All of the above is based on vague memories but you might experiment to see if getting ridiculously well hydrated has any effect.
A few years ago when I was into running I sometimes had problems with stitches, as I recall the key factor was hydration, if you are really well hydrated you are less likely to get stitches. If you are getting a stitch almost immediately this would tend to indicate you are not well hydrated when you are starting out. The other factor in running was that if you breath in rhythm with stride you can cause stitches, it is hard to see this applying to swimming as I thought the cause had to do with internal organs bouncing around when your diaphram was relaxed or not but you mention breathing pattern making a difference. All of the above is based on vague memories but you might experiment to see if getting ridiculously well hydrated has any effect.
