Hydration

Question
I know how important it is to keep hydrated before, during, and after working out. I do best to drink plenty of water, but whenever I go to drink water WHILE I'm exercising it makes me nauseous. If I don't drink anything while I work out I get thirsty and whatnot, but if I DO drink anything (water, Poweraid, Gater Aid, etc.) then it makes me feel like I'm gunna puke seconds later. I have no clue why this happens, and am therefore reasonably scarred that something may be terribly wrong. Do you have ANY idea why this happening?

If it helps...I have asthma and depression, so I take daily medications for that. Generic Zoloft for my depression; over-the-counter generic Claritin and the "new" albuterol inhaler for my asthma. (The pharmacist said the FDA wasn't doing albuterol anymore, and gave me the new equivalent of it. It's supposed to be just as strong, but it shoots out less stuff and doesn't taste as nasty.) I'm also on the birth control pill they give out at Planned Parenthood, no idea what the name is. AND I take Woman's One A Day and an over-the-counter Vitamin B4 tablet.

Not sure if any of my medications would cause this problem, but just in case I thought it couldn't hurt to tell you. After all, what do I know? YOU'RE the expert, not me.

Answer
Dear Emily,

That's great that you are conscious of maintaining good hydration, as well as devoting your time and energy to an exercise program!

I can't think of any connection your medications would have to this nausea occuring...
My only thought is that you are drinking a few large gulps of water instead of sips.  

While the  blood flow in your body is dedicated to helping you have an efficient workout--the muscles you are working out, the lungs breathing in plenty of oxygen, and your heart beating faster--blood supply is diverted away from the GI tract.  Many people feel nauseated, and even throw up, when working out very hard.  
Your GI tract is disturbed by the presence of having something to attend to when it's not ready to handle it.

If you are drinking a few ounces at a time, I would suggest taking minimal sips just to quench the dryness in your mouth...just a tablespoon or so between sets.  If you do this 15 times during your workout (every 4 or 5 minutes in an hour) it will add up to about 8 ounces.
Then drink plenty of water afterwards when it doesn't upset your stomach.

There is also the fact that warmer water is more quickly absorbed than colder water, so if the water you are drinking is very cold you might try bringing a bottle of room temperature water--it will quench your thirst and hydrate you just as well.

I would love to hear how this pans out for you!

Laurie

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