Hello I need some advice...
I would like to know what causes vomiting while swimming in the sea?
(Previous meals, beain seasick while swimming, wrong drinks or gels ...)
And how to control or stop it?
(I know some medicine can work, but not always)
Thanks
All of the above can cause N/V, but if you have problems with your inner ear you may vomit when the water is rough. It seems that the only cure for it is time. My husband had this problem twice after long swims, the first time it only lasted a day. the second time it was a week- and we tried IV fluids, anti-emetics and anti-histamines. After 6 days I pushed him out of the house and told him to just go stand in the pool or something. He did and then came home and ate 4 hotdogs. Cured.
Lots of things can cause it. Here's a short list of what I can think of (through personal or shared experience):
- Getting seasick in choppy/wavey conditions - happens to a lot of people.
- racing so hard you get sick.
- being nervous before or during a race can turn your stomach inside out.
- gastrointestinal revolt - happens to the best of us.
- swallowing too much sea water during a swim.
- some drinks can come up as soon as they go down - I once barfed up the accelerade I was drinking during a long ocean race.
- swimming through red tide can definitely make you want to barf - yuck.
- dehydration - yes, it can happen, and yes, it can cause you to barf.
Does this help?
To control the problem, you need to know the cause. If the vomiting is due to some sort of digestive problem (i.e. from what you ate or didn't eat), you will simply need to work that problem out through experience. Try eating different things prior or during your longer/harder workouts. If you are vomiting due to nutritional issues, just remember, after you vomit, you should feel better - continue on with the race.
If you are having problems with seasickness - generally due to rough conditions - you are kind of screwed until you get your feet back on dry land. However, many open water swimmers use an anti motion sickness patch - usually worn behind the ear. I believe these can be bought over the counter. Seems to help those who use them.
If a "nervous stomach" is your problem, try an antiacid pill or drink prior to the race. Might help.
10Ks are great swims. I hope you enjoy yours..... without the barfing.
Unfortunately, I have become something of an "expert" in vomiting during open water swims (doesn't stop me from loving them though!) Many people I know get seasick from the motion - my particular problem is the salt water itself is extremely nauseating to me. I have had pretty good luck with using bio bands (accupressure) and taking a nice swig of Mylanta before I race.
http://www.biobands.com/
Some people also get good relief from anti-emetics like Zofran, although it's always very important to make sure you can tolerate them in a safe swim first (like a lifeguarded pool) since they can cause extreme drowsiness or other CNS effects in some.
RSJ
I eat a little ginger before races. If you search this site, you should find some threads about using ginger for seasickness. Some people like to take ginger pills, eat plain ginger or even ginger snaps. Worth a try. Last week I had an ocean race and there were several people puking afterwards, but I was fine.
Swimmy :)
I do not think food is the problem. I have eaten some very odd things before and while swimming. It could be you are excited and trying too hard.
Tom Bucy used to eat pieces of Pizza during races, Abou Heif Chicken and dates.
I have only been bring up sick once while swimming and that is the day I ate cucumber sandwiches about an hour before swimming.
I have been feeling sick many times but not bring up sick. I have looked at water - Lac St Louis after the 24 hour race and brought up every time I looked at that lake. I have been bring up sick looking at a jar of powdered glucose or a glass of orange juice for years after I quit the maraton circuit. I drank Tang and glucose powder mixed in when I raced.
I can now drink orange juice without getting sick.
