Upper abdominal pain while running

A sudden pace increase, shallow breathing or running soon after a large meal can strain the diaphragm and abdominal wall. Burning behind the breastbone or sour fluid may suggest acid reflux. Less commonly, gastritis, gallstones, gastroenteritis, food poisoning, coeliac disease, Crohn's disease or diverticular disease can cause abdominal pain that happens during activity as well as at rest. The presence of pain with a condition describes one possible presentation; it does not diagnose the condition.

Stop or slow to a walk when pain begins, then breathe steadily and assess whether it settles. Warm up gradually, avoid a heavy meal shortly before running and keep a note of pace, hydration, food timing and pain location. Resume training only when ordinary movement is comfortable. Repeated episodes, even if brief, merit a clinician's review so exercise and digestive causes can be considered together.

Arrange an appointment if pain returns on runs, occurs at rest, wakes you, or comes with vomiting, diarrhoea, fever or unexplained weight loss. Seek emergency help for crushing or spreading chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, cold sweats, sudden severe abdominal pain, a rigid abdomen or blood in vomit or stool.

Could this pattern be exercise-related, reflux or another abdominal problem? Is it safe to train while symptoms are being assessed? Which symptoms mean I should stop immediately, and do I need tests?