Not the most pleasant subject, I know. I have found some advice, but not a lot about this. What do you think, especially if you are a distance or open water swimmer?
After swimming hard or for more than a mile in the open water, I'm left with the most bloated feeling! I WANT to (let's put it politely) FLATULATE, but just remain bloated for up to 4 hours. I have a feeling this has to do with not exhaling completely, thus compounding the air in my stomach and gut.
When I really pay attention to expelling all the air as I swim, I get winded!!
I have tried Gas-X after swimming, but it doesn't really work. I just have to wait for the air to "filter out" over time. It can be painful!
Do particular foods create gas? Should I hold to the old dictum of never eating less than 2 hours before swimming? Is this something that plagues older swimmers more than young ones?
What's going on with me? I'm a 54 year old woman.
THANKS!
Parents
Former Member
Is this something that plagues older swimmers more than young ones?
Not necessarily. Gulping air while swimming can occur at any age. (I have a teenager who's pretty adept at sounding off after practice.)
This is most likely your cause.
triathlon.competitor.com/.../
Intestinal bloating and flatulence: There are two reasons for this: swallowing air and ingesting a high concentration of simple sugars. Air ingestion occurs most commonly while swimming. Once in the stomach, air can pass into the intestines. Having significant quantities of air in the bowels causes uncomfortable bloating and cramping. The best way to avoid this problem is to encourage belching to expel any air that you have ingested while swimming.
Your stomach might not completely absorb simple sugars in high concentrations. This too can cause uncomfortable bloating and cramping. The best way to avoid this problem is to minimize the concentration and amount of simple sugars ingested.
Is this something that plagues older swimmers more than young ones?
Not necessarily. Gulping air while swimming can occur at any age. (I have a teenager who's pretty adept at sounding off after practice.)
This is most likely your cause.
triathlon.competitor.com/.../
Intestinal bloating and flatulence: There are two reasons for this: swallowing air and ingesting a high concentration of simple sugars. Air ingestion occurs most commonly while swimming. Once in the stomach, air can pass into the intestines. Having significant quantities of air in the bowels causes uncomfortable bloating and cramping. The best way to avoid this problem is to encourage belching to expel any air that you have ingested while swimming.
Your stomach might not completely absorb simple sugars in high concentrations. This too can cause uncomfortable bloating and cramping. The best way to avoid this problem is to minimize the concentration and amount of simple sugars ingested.
