How come running hard (especially when out of shape) makes your lungs feel like they are on fire?
Just had this thought while running with my dog and getting fatigued. Why does it feel like that? What is going on in the tissue to make it "burn?"
You are viewing a single comment
There's a few factors really, your out of shape comment could be one, no offence meant If you're pushing your lungs, and airways in general, further than usual, and quite literally stretching them, and faster than they're used to, the extra stretching can cause that feeling. Lessens as you get fitter. If its proper cold, or.dry, and if you mostly breathe through your mouth, or both, the air isn't a match for the warm humid like air in your lungs and airways...nose breathing is a big thing to improve your running, there's a great guy whose name I cannot recall who is a massive advocate for nose breathng in runners and how it can massively help your long distance proper too! Includes things about dehydration lessening etc...worth a search for
None taken. I know I'm unhealthy. I smoke, too. So all that is a factor. Actually was wondering if it was just from use or if maybe I am not breathing the right way. Possibly both. I have a habit of subconsciously holding my breath when doing physical activity and I know that ain't good. lol
For what it's worth, the burning in the lungs you describe still happens when you're fit. It's just that you're going at a faster pace for a longer time before it happens.
It can be a few things, without feeling it personally, and with your personal assessment, my best guess is what you felt was a "stitch in your side".
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Side_stitch
There are alot of theories on what exactly the precise biological cause is, but there are known things that make it more likely, and ways to sort of treat it when it comes up.
Nah, this feeling I am posting about is felt in the chest area. From like the diaphragm to the back of the throat. It's not a stabbing pain, but as stated kind a burning sensation. Not extremely painful but quite uncomfortable as you're trying to catch your breath after you stop running. That's my fault for not giving a lot of detail.
Could be exercise-induced asthma? I get this as well and only found out it wasn't a common affliction a few weeks ago, when it was pointed out that this might be a cause. For me at least, after a while the pain gets so bad that every time I swallow it feels like my throat doesn't want to reopen.