Q: I had stomach surgery in 2002 to repair my acid reflux disease. Since then I have wanted to get back into running. I hear running causes Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), and causes runners stomach problems. I would like to know if anyone has experienced stomach problems due to running. Or if anyone has had acid reflux and running helped relieve it.

A: Exercise may stimulate secretion of stomach acids. This may cause some stomach irritation (gastritis) and GERD, since the esophageal sphincter (gate keeper) relaxes in some people with exercise. The more strenuous the exercise, the greater the likelihood of GI symptoms.

I would recommend a trial of running to see if any symptoms develop. If inflammation is occurring, you will have symptoms. If you experience pain or reflux, try using either an H2 blocker (Zantac, Tagamet, Pepcid, Axid) or a proton pump inhibitor (Prilosec) prior to running. You may have to experiment a bit to get the timing right for taking the meds relative to your workout. You may find that you only need to take something prior to strenuous workouts or races.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below.

     --Dr. Cathy Fieseler, MD

Lettermark
Cathy Fieseler
Each week our medical expert, Dr. Cathy Fieseler, will select some of your questions to answer and the responses will be posted on the Running Times web forum. Dr. Fieseler attended college and medical school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She currently is the director of Sports Medicine in the Trinity Mother Frances Health System in Tyler, TX. She provides medical care for many local high school, college and recreational athletes. In addition, she is the chairperson of the Road Runners Club of America Sports Medicine Committee and is on the Board of Directors of the American Medical Athletic Association. Somehow in the midst of this very crowded schedule, Dr. Fieseler has found the time to compete in numerous marathons and ultramarathons. Running Times is thrilled to have her as part of the RT Ask the Experts team.