What Causes Severe Abdominal Cramps In An Elderly Person After Heavy Exercise Sessions?

Posted on Thu, 28 Apr 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 Answered on

Wed, 15 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 54 year old female, am 5' 9" tall and weigh 200lbs. I recently began walking for exercise and have been walking about 3 miles a day. the route is uphill for the first half mile, then mostly flat or downhill for the balance of the walk. If the weather is not good, I have been doing about 15 minutes on the eliptical machine. An issue started yesterday after I finished my 15 minutes. I had severe cramping in my abdomen. It relieved itself after about 10 minutes, so I did not worry too much. Today I decided that since I really want to reduce my stomach, I would do sit ups. leg lifts and a plank. I did 15 sit ups, the 6 leg lifts (30 seconds each) and a 10 second plank. After I finished, I again had severe abdominal cramping. Should I see a doctor?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
These are symptoms of weakness

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. Cramps in abdominal and leg muscle are sugggestive of weakness of muscles. it can be due to following causes.
1. excessive exercise
2. lack of salt in body.
3. Lack of calcium and vitamin D
I have following suggestions for you. Do proper streching exercises before doing abdominal exercises. if you develop cramps drink water with salt immediately. Take 1000 mg calcium and 60000 unit vitamin D per week for six weeks.
I hope these steps will be helpful for you. No need to go to doctor at present.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar