Home Remedies for Side Stitches

Side stitches aren't serious. But, when you feel that sharp pain just under your rib cage, and it just won't go away, it's hard to imagine anything worse.

The two most common causes of side stitches are gas bubbles and diaphragm spasms. Lack of blood or oxygen to the diaphragm also contribute to side stitches. Whatever's causing your side stitches, here are some home remedies that will help you deal with them.

Try This Exercise to Get Rid of Side Stitches

The next time you're hit by side stitches, take a deep breath. Then, tighten your stomach muscles, and push all the air out of your lungs. Do this ten times, and side stitches caused by gas bubbles will be history.

Another Way to Stop Side Stitches In Their Tracks

There's a quick way to get rid of painful side stitches. Depending on where you are (because you probably wouldn't want to do this while at work) stop whatever you're doing, drop to the ground, and lie on your back. Now, pull your knees up and over your head. This action should make side stitches go away immediately. If it doesn't, it could mean your suffering from something more severe than simple side stitches, and should probably consult a doctor.

Strong Stomach Muscles Can Prevent Side Stitches

People who don't exercise regularly often suffer from side stitches when they suddenly engage in some strenuous physical activity. That's because their stomach muscles lack strength and tone.

Strong stomach muscles help support your diagram, and other internal organs, which could help prevent those pesky and painful side stitches. So doing any exercise that strengthens those stomach muscles is a good idea. Even doing ten or twenty stomach crunches every morning could help.

Breathe Deep to Prevent Side Stitches

Since side stitches are often caused by your diaphragm being deprived of oxygen, breathing deeply and properly while running, exercising, or engaging in other types of physical activity, can help prevent side stitches. Remember, when you're taking deep breaths, your stomach should expand with each inhalation.

What You Eat and Drink Can Make You Prone To Side Stitches

When you exercise, swim, or run on a full stomach, blood is drawn away from your diaphragm and to your stomach. This lack of blood to the diaphragm can result in side stitches. So it's best not to eat for one or two hours before doing anything physically strenuous, whether that's running in a marathon, or helping a friend move.

You should also avoid drinking sodas before engaging in physical activity. The gas produced by carbonated drinks can get trapped in your intestines, which will result in side stitches.

Don't Try to Work through the Pain of Side Stitches

If you're hit by side stitches while in the middle of a race, you don't have to quit. But running through the pain isn't the solution. In fact, if you just keep going without making any adjustments, the side stitches will probably get worse, and you just might end up having to drop out of the race.

Instead, slow down. Run at a gentler pace, so your feet aren't hitting the ground quite so hard. And take some long, deep breaths. Your side stitches could be gone in a matter of minutes, and you can get back to running at your earlier pace.

Side stitches can be a real pain. But these tips can help you get rid of side stitches fast, or keep side stitches from happening in the first place.