Track-induced nausea.My son is a 16-year-old track runner. He has a lot of speed and promise, with one nagging problem. Upon completion of the 400 meters and relays, he vomits. It does not occur when he plays varsity soccer. He has competed at various sports since age six, many of which require extensive running, and we have never before seen this problem. His recent UGI UGI abbr. upper gastrointestinal (as in series) indicated severe gastric reflux, and his GI specialist advised that he begin taking Prilosec and stop running. Are there other possible causes of this problem, and/or solutions? Jean Harkens Tucson, AZ Upper GI symptoms like belching belching see eructation. , nausea, and vomiting are not uncommon in athletes. Maximal exertion, which occurs during sprinting, is often implicated. One reason gastric reflux occurs in runners is the transient relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter lower esophageal sphincter n. A ring of smooth muscle fibers at the junction of the esophagus and stomach. Also called cardiac sphincter. secondary to the swallowing of air. This is not due to an increase in acid production, but a decrease in gastric mucosal secretions as blood is shunted away from the stomach and intestines to power the leg muscles. Delayed gastric emptying with strenuous exercise can contribute to the problem. Use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can make things worse. It does sound like your son has gastric reflux but has not found the right treatment regimen. I have treated many runners with this problem and would not recommend that your son give up running. Try the following in this order: 1. rule out any other potential cause, such as a cardiac problem 2. avoid large meals two to three hours prior to a race 3. try low-fat, low-protein liquid calorie/electrolyte solutions pre-race 4. avoid high concentration (hyperosmolar) feeds during training 5. use isotonic isotonic /iso·ton·ic/ (-ton´ik) 1. denoting a solution in which body cells can be bathed without net flow of water across the semipermeable cell membrane. 2. replacement fluids during training 6. reduce training and crosstrain with lower-impact activities like swimming and cycling 7. avoid lying down within three hours of a meal 8. avoid restrictive clothes 9. avoid citric cit·ric adj. Of or relating to citric acid. citric Adjective of or derived from citrus fruits or citric acid Adj. 1. and tomato juices, caffeine, chocolate, anti-inflammatory medications, fatty foods, and alcohol 10. Try antacids Antacids Definition Antacids are medicines that neutralize stomach acid. Purpose Antacids are used to relieve acid indigestion, upset stomach, sour stomach, and heartburn. like TUMS or Rolaids 11. Try nonprescription strength H2 receptor blockers (Zantac or Pepcid) taken before running and up to twice a day 12. Try prescription strength H2 receptor blockers taken before running and up to twice a day 13. Try proton pump inhibitors Proton Pump Inhibitors Definition The proton pump inhibitors are a group of drugs that reduce the secretion of gastric (stomach) acid. They act by binding with the enzyme H+, K(+)-ATPase, hydrogen/potassium adenosine triphosphatase (such as Prilosec) taken once or twice daily 14. Try a combination of an H2 receptor blocker and a proton pump inhibitor proton pump inhibitor n. A class of drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion by interfering with the movement of hydrogen ions across cell membranes and are used mainly to treat peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and esophagitis. It bears repeating that I do not think your son needs to stop running. Troy Smurawa, MD Akron, OH 
Hi,<br>I have also experienced nausea, dizziness, and vomiting after running. This occurs even after jogging for a short time. I have been tested for cardiac problems which did not reveal any problems. I have had an MRI which came back normal. My blood pressure was normal. This does not happen when I do other aerobic activity but I miss running.<br>Has your son found relief?<br><br>Has anyone else experienced this or have any advice?<br>Thank you.<br> |
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