I have read many websites on how to prevent this and most of it are saying the same thing.



But what can be the reasons for Stitches besides not breathing and exhaling in the way to match your running pace? Anyway to prevent it besides stretching the diaphragm before running? This is a problem which I encountered whilst running and recently it starts to affect me more causing me not able to train properly for my 2.4 km run test.

I have ashma, so when I run I struggle to breath and if I'm lucky I won't get a stitch so I can't run long distances. Surely this stitch thing must be there for a reason? Like romoving the tonsils, why do it??? They are there for a reason after all.

I've never had this problem. Generally, on a long run, I tend to breathe in in two breaths, breathe out in two breaths. Perhaps you could try it? It might help.

I HAVE had this problem while practicing the martial arts - but then I do literally hundreds of reps of various strikes, it can get most strenuous, especially if it's done against a bag. If it happens I just ignore it. Even here though, I find that I can avoid it if I use that two breaths in, two breaths out technique.

This may or may not help you - I hope it does. Take care.

This post has been edited by Yratorm, LightMage: Jan 4 2007, 10:17 PM

I do have a personal technique of mine: I breath in quickly then breath out slowly while running, it helps but thanks for the concern.

Just here to help - I be honest I admire you. A person with asthma who runs is either brave or strong-willed, or both. Probably both. Take care.

I never thought of that, usually when I run, I always breath in and out using almost the same amount of time. I never thought of breathing in quickly and then breath out slowly, I will be sure to try that today when I embark on a run in the reservoir.

I did the breathing in of two times and breathing out too but I was not able to cure the stitches.

I have asthma and never head=rd of stitches, i have an inhaler, and when i take it before i excersie i'd be okay and would not have trouble breathing. I use to take sudafed( sue-da-fed, dont know how to spell) , but that didnt help my asthmad and gave me a herpes eye infection!

Right Darran, if the breathing techniques don't work, it's possible that you get a 'stitch' because you have gas that exerts a pressure when your muscles and diaphragm contract during exercise (like running).

A simple way to deal with this is to visit the bathroom and make sure your bowels are clean before you exercise.

Also, just before you run, do some bending (forward, touch your toes, then stand up - do this ten times or so) - also bend from side to side - this will all help to ease pockets of trapped gas, if any - do this BEFORE you start your run.


This just might help. If this doesn't help, then I would suggest you contact your doctor, perhaps he could diagnose this problems and offer a solution.

- - - Take care, Yratorm.

According to my xc coach, you can prevent them by building up your ab muscles a bit and by not eating certain foods before runs. You are supposed to stay away from heavy lactoses (milk, cheese), spicy foods, and some other I can't remember.

I think I also read that bananas a couple hours before a run are supposed to help, but I'm not sure if I buy into that.