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!
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
If it is from swallowing air while swimming, you might be able to ask your coach to watch your breathing pattern and make recommendations.
You might also try a swim snorkel for a practice for a week or two. If your symptoms improve, this might explain it. Then you'd know you have to work on the breathing in the water.
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
If it is from swallowing air while swimming, you might be able to ask your coach to watch your breathing pattern and make recommendations.
You might also try a swim snorkel for a practice for a week or two. If your symptoms improve, this might explain it. Then you'd know you have to work on the breathing in the water.
