Training & Nutrition - painful stitches

Hi all. I was wondering if anyone can tell me what causes stitches. I get them under my lowest right rib sometimes when I'm really going hard. I can't seem to pin it down to whether it's something I've eaten, not stretching properly or posture. Any ideas how to avoid them?

i rarely get them in cycling, but often in running... for me, i have experienced 2 causes:
1) something to do with digestion and/or irritation of the stomach due to shaking/bouncing from motion...
2) muscle tightness in the chest/stomach... see http://www.sptrack.org/writeups_side_stiches.php which describes it as a muscle cramp common for untrained runners

actually, now that i think about it, i used to have them a lot but i can't remember having had stitches while cycling or running now in over 4 years... so there is probably something from either training or technique that i no longer have them...

from http://www.sptrack.org/writeups_side_stiches.php:

How do you cure the problem?

As with any muscle cramp, the best immediate treatment is to stretch the cramping muscle as much as possible. To stretch the diaphragm, one needs to alter their breathing pattern. This can be accomplished by breathing in as hard and as deep as possible. Suck in as much air as possible, trying to force the diaphragm down. Hold the breath for a couple of seconds and then forcibly exhale through pursed lips to restrict the outward air flow.

Work, bending forward if necessary, to get as much air out of the lungs as possible. This will force the diaphragm upward adding to the stretching action. It may take three or four of these "in and outs" to get rid of the cramp. It is possible to do this while running--you may have to slow down, but if in a race you may not want to stop.

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what causes stitches

I find that thick branches tend to cause that alot:p .

Slainte:beer:

Thanks nathank, I'll try that breathing method next time, and check out the website. As for thick branches, I usually find ducking solves that little problem- except for ones that lie across the track.

Cheers