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
I have pain in my stomach with excessive bloating. I went to a specialist that she said there is no specific reason to have this problem, and she is guessing that I have functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). When I did Google, I found that air swallowing is one of the FGIDs, namely aerophagia (air swallowing). I just realized that this problem almost started 1.5 months ago and around that time I joined to master swimming team. I haven't swum long distance last 20 years, and now I am swimming almost 2500 meter, two times a week. Do you think that may be the reason? Let's say yes, what should I do. I am not able to fart/burp maybe small amount and very much rare. Gas X is not working. I have started wearing my oversized jeans to work, and people think I am pregnant. I love the team, my coach is so good, I don't want to stop swimming. However, I have this health problem. Now I am stuck. Do you think I should swim more frequently or do ab exercise? I hope I can find an answer from this group.
Thanks in advance
Fay
I have pain in my stomach with excessive bloating. I went to a specialist that she said there is no specific reason to have this problem, and she is guessing that I have functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). When I did Google, I found that air swallowing is one of the FGIDs, namely aerophagia (air swallowing). I just realized that this problem almost started 1.5 months ago and around that time I joined to master swimming team. I haven't swum long distance last 20 years, and now I am swimming almost 2500 meter, two times a week. Do you think that may be the reason? Let's say yes, what should I do. I am not able to fart/burp maybe small amount and very much rare. Gas X is not working. I have started wearing my oversized jeans to work, and people think I am pregnant. I love the team, my coach is so good, I don't want to stop swimming. However, I have this health problem. Now I am stuck. Do you think I should swim more frequently or do ab exercise? I hope I can find an answer from this group.
Thanks in advance
Fay
