Avid Runner - Persistent Side Aches

I run cross country and track in college, and i also ran all throughout high school. the only time i used to have side aches when running was right when i would start up my training (so before i was actually in shape) and if i would eat something close to the time i went running. However, for the past 10 months or so, i have been getting very bad side aches almost every time i run. sometimes they are so bad that i have to stop, other times i can just deal with it.
i have tried not eating for 4-5 hours before i run, that didn't really do anything. i tried drinking lots and lots of water, that pretty much just made it worse. i have no clue whats causing this.
Most of the time it's on my right side, but not always.
I'm thinking it could have to do with my breathing, although i have always been a bad weezer while running, that is nothing new in the past 10 months. I've been given albuterol but it didnt really do anything.
my other thought was maybe to do more ab workouts? could having super tight abs help prevent this? i mean, i dont have abs of steel, but i do have visible abs.

any idea whats wrong anyone?!

from,
a frustrated runner

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms. Possibilities that may need to be considered include dehydration, inadequate warm up, fatigue, electrolyte imbalance, infections, inflammations etc. I would suggest taking water intermittently during the workouts and not running on an empty stomach. Try taking light meals an hour or so before running. Perform warm up exercises and take breaks during the workout. If these measures do not seem to help, you may consider an evaluation by a primary care physician for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!