nausea in backstroke

Rachael, please ask your parents to take you to an ENT (ear, nose, throat specialist). If you have a physiological problem, you will probably NOT outgrow it! A simple examination will probably get you a definitive answer. I have Meniere's, an autoimmune inner ear disorder that causes the symptoms you describe. I can swim backstroke fine indoors, as long as I take Ande's advice and concentrate on a fixed point, such as a beam or pipe along the ceiling. When I swim backstroke outdoors, I have to rely on my peripheral vision and keep an eye on the lane lines to keep from getting dizzy. Do you do flip turns? Try NOT doing flip turns for a few days and see how you do. I used to do flip turns when I swam in high school, before I got Meniere's. Now, I must do open turns, because flip turns give me the same symtoms you are describing; I get seasick! I am guessing that if you take Ande's advice (if you swim indoors) and stop doing flip turns, you will feel much better- even if you don't have Meniere's. Give it a try and see. But, definitely, see a doctor to find out the actual cause of your problem. Good luck! :cheerleader:

Have you seen an ENT physician? Might be a sinus issue...

Believe it or not Rachael, it just might be an inner ear issue. You'd be surprised how it can affect you. We have these tiny little bones in our inner ear that can sometimes get out of position - when that happens people often get very dizzy & you can see their eyes actually "vibrate" - I would imagine they also feel quite sick to their stomachs because of it as well!!! Go to an ear nose throat doctor & have him take a look-see. Good luck! Another possibility might be pressure on the back of your "occiput" - a part of your brain where you experience nausea. Do you also get nauseous when you sleep or rest on your back? If you do, then you might want to see a neurologist.

hi im a 13 year old (nearly 14) state swimmer and when i am swimming backstroke i am feeling nausea. it has been happening for about a year now and it is quite annoying me because it is affecting my swimming. my coaches think i will grow out of it, but i do know that it is not my breathing or something to od with my inner ear. it could be motion sickness, but i have tried taking ginger tablets and they didnt work. i am now actually feeling sick during the whole training sesson where before it would only happen when i race. i dont know what is happening and why it is happening, please help!! Rachael Not sure why, never heard of that before don't swim backstroke for a while maybe you'll grow out of it hope you're not a backstroker can you flutter kick on your back? can you dolphin kick on your back? maybe you need to pick a spot visually to focus on like ballet dancers doing pirouettes

As a breaststroker myself, my backstroke often gives other people nausea, although I guess that's not exactly the same thing as what you are experiencing. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Not really related but it might be. Yesterday I forgot to bring my ear plugs, I swam anyway and the water filled up ear canals. I was doing free but I was getting dizzy as hell, my turns were all messed up and couldn't swim straight. Didn't get sick but I was definitely spinning

thanks for your answers, not sure though if it is something to do with my ear because i think i have gotten it checked out and to whoever said it backstroke is my main/best stroke Rachael

thanks for your answers, not sure though if it is something to do with my ear because i think i have gotten it checked out and to whoever said it backstroke is my main/best stroke Rachael A regular doctor might not be able to catch an inner ear/sinus issue. Go see a a specialist (ENT physician) before you rule that out. I've never had problems swimming but was having dizziness issues a few years ago when I'd lay down on my back to go to sleep or first thing in the morning. From an ENT specialist I learned it was just a sinus issue aggravated by seasonal allergies. A little allergy medicine has taken care of the problem nicely.

Definitely see a specialist, Rachael! No offense to your pediatrician, but a specialist hears more, obviously, in their chosen field, which is more helpful with weird or unusual symptoms. Good luck!

Try chewing some Tums before practice. When I had a problem with reflux, acid would back up in my throat and make me feel sick, especially on backstroke.