Wonder what causes side-aches?

geepondy

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I usually only get them while running but just sitting in front of the pc I got a real bugger going on right now for some reason. Maybe from pigging out and drinking beer? I do that a lot but never had one before. Oh well, hope it goes down a bit before retiring.
 

picard

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What do you mean by side ache? Which side of the body do you feel pain? Does left side of the head feel pain? elaborate.
 

nikon

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I put the phrase "side stitch" in GOOGLE and found a number of very informative articles.

From my own experience, it helps enormously to belly breathe while running. That is, expand your abdomen when you inhale, not your chest. You'll take in more air and it'll help your diaphragm to relax.
 

cobb

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I use to get those from laughing hard. Of course that was back when I use to smile too.

I get cramps in my stomach or legs/feet when I need more sodium in my system. Nothing like a salty turkey and cheese sandwich to put that down.

Now I have a habit of pulling my side muscles when twisting. Like to reach the toilet paper in the bathroom with my right hand on left side of toilet. Seems to cause a spasm that feels like its crushing m lower ribs, then it goes away.
 

geepondy

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LOL, it didn't last too long thankfully. Yes it was a pain in the side below the rib cage but above the hips. Today when I went running, it didn't re-occur.
 

Trashman

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I used to get side aches during soccer practice in high school. A spot in between my shoulder and neck used to hurt a bit, too. Back then, they used to say drinking too much water would cause them.

Now, every once in a while, I pull something in my side, and it's rather debilitating. About 1 1/2 years ago, I was carrying a heavy box full of Lemon Leaves (floral filler), and my boss said something to me and I turned my head to look and--OUCH!..I had pulled "something". I don't know what it was, but I worked the whole day, and by the end of the day, I couldn't lift a vase full of water and flowers, and when I got home I couldn't even untie my own shoe. The following day I couldn't move and ended up missing a few days of work. The same thing happened earlier this year, except this time I was laughing at something with my co-worker, and I bent slightly to lean on the table in front of me, and --OUCH!...it had happened again. Luckily, this was a Saturday, which isn't very busy and I normally go home early. Having experienced this same thing before, I knew that the longer I worked, the worse the pain would be and the more work I'd have to miss, so my boss took over for me, and I only had to miss that day and the following day.

Anybody know what's happening to me?
 

geepondy

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You guys ever snap your neck? One morning as I awoke, I turned my head around from one side of the pillow to the other and heard a crack in the neck. Instant pain and immobilization. I really thought that I had somehow really screwed something up but eventually with ibuprofen it loosened up. It was still probably three or four days before I could fully turn it side to side again though. Don't wish to repeat that experience.
 

Grox

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Kidney stones produce a characteristic type of pain. It is felt from "loin to groin" meaning that the pain is located in the area from under the ribs at the back in a downward swathe to the groin region. It is an extremely excrutiating, debilitating pain that fluctuates in in intensity.

Trashman, I would suggest that the kind of symptoms you are experiencing originates in the nerves. You should go get it checked out by a doctor. There are a few possibilities that come to mind here but a (medical) doctor should be able to help you out!
 

matt_j

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Few things but sometimes you can pinch your muscle when it gets cought in between ribs or you can have inflamation of intercostal spaces which means again your muscles and tissue in between your ribs gets inflamed and really hurts sor of like appendix/kidney stones sharp stabbing pain radiating to the back.

If it happens a lot see a doc.
 

Gene

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This is an interesting thread. I don't mean to preach here but I've noticed in the last couple of decades that my generation, ("baby boomers"), who were going to live forever have brought about a state of fear on the world. I've had super painful side pains on my right side off and on, most of my life and I'm now in my late fifties. It usually happens when I turn my head all the way around to look behind me as when I'm backing my car up. I may go months without it and then suddenly it'll happen. I also get severe pains in my right shoulder occasionally when I ride my motorcycle long distances. It's been happening since I was in my twenties but is no longer as severe now as it was then. I remember once after a 300 mile ride when I was in my early 20's, the pain was so severe that my then wife had to almost carry me off the bike when we got home. Like my side pains, it goes away in several minutes.

I just chalk things like this up to "s**t happens" in life. Weird stuff happens and if we worry about every little thing, we'll end up taking all those perscription drugs that my generation, (and just about everyone nowadays), take daily and considers normal. Don't get me wrong, if something continues for a good while, it should maybe be checked out but don't get scared and run to the doctor for every little thing.

I read an article awhile back in a medical periodical that approximately 95% of all emergency and doctor visits are unnecessary. I believe that as I now see young kids, (as well as us older folks), in their 20's and 30's rushing to doctors for every little ache and pain. The doctor MAY find something but 98% of the time, they'll just perscribe a drug and send you a bill.

There's nothing wrong with being vigilant and having check-ups regularly, but just RELAX. Yes, unfortunately we're all going to die sometime but a good clear mind that doesn't sweat every little thing will let you live a long and prosperous life.
 

offroadcmpr

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Gene - I'm almost the opposite, I don't like going to the doctor.
I lived with a ingrown toenail for about a year, I just never had the time to go down and get it checked out. I finally did before I left for college.
Or there was the time when my mom freaked when she found a couple bloody gauze pads in the shower from which we later found out to be a brown recluse bite. (she then forced me to the doctor)
I'm not afraid of it or anything, I'm the kind of guy that watches the doctor give me shots or cut off my ingrown toenail becuse I find it interesting.

But like you, I don't get why people go so often, for every little thing that does not matter.
 

cobb

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Gene, I use to have pain that starts at the shoulder and goes down the arm like a heart attack is claimed to do. Thats a muscle being strained. I find exercising my shoulders and taking protein shakes has greatly reduced that. Mines feels like a small pin prick, then nail and then goes down the arm. Try raising your arm over your head like you are doing the top half of a jumping jack. I do that with 12 pounds in each hand today. :)

You kind of nail why I took my life and health care in my own hands. When ever I have anything with my body, the doc tells me thats strange, you are a strange person, that is not suppose to happen, here go see this specialist for ...........

Whats really funny is, my dad does exactly what my doc says. THe doc wants him to eat 30 grams of fiber a day. Problem is he cant eat that much and what he is eating makes him run to the bathroom like he has terminal diarreah. I think the doc is just messing with him, but he thinks hes serious and keeps trying to eat the recommended fiber.
 
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