swallowing ocean water....stomach pain?

Drinking plain water is worth a try, but the problem might be the water and not the saltiness. I used to swallow a lot of water in freshwater swims and get a stomach ache. I think I decided that my stomach wasn't used to all the crap (bacteria, actual crap, etc.) that's in outdoor water. Maybe if he drinks ocean water for a week he'll toughen up

Also, does he swim on an empty stomach, or with food? Whatever the answer is, you could have him try the opposite and see if that helps.



Edited by skavoovie 2007-09-02 12:14 AM

We're thinking it's specific to ocean water because he swims in hte lake all the time without a problem.  I have been an ocean girl all my life (he's a lake boy) and done lots of open water swimming with others adn have Never seen this.  I worry about him in our next Tri which is an ocean swim.....He is crippled with pain for an hour or so!! 

I get this frequently. It's getting better, but for long swims it's still there. And with races is always a big problem. I also have a lot of gas... From threads I have posted here and others that I have read, I concluded it is swallowing air more than water. By keeping my breathing easy it doesn't happen anymore. But if I do intensive intervals it's back again... I've been swimming for 2 years now mainly in the sea and it's slowly getting better.
If someone has a good solution that would be great. Specially for race day!

Used to get this all the time doing ocean ows's in FL. Even from the time we were kids. We called it the Foosh, based on the noise made during the voiding it caused.