Gas After Swimming

We All Do It
The Air You Breathe
Gas Be Gone
No Triggers

Written by Jessica Lietz

08 July, 2011

Fact Checked

Passing gas is a sign of a normally functioning digestive system, and what seems excessive might be well within the range of normal. If you pass gas during or after swimming, you can help prevent and treat untimely flatulence with changes in your dietary habits and swimming routine.

Is This an Emergency?

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

We All Do It

The average person passes gas upwards of 14 times daily, reports the Johns Hopkins website 1. Passing gas in the pool or shower after you swim might make you more aware of the fact that it happens; especially if the gas escapes in the presence of other people, causing you to feel embarrassed. In addition to passing gas after you swim, you might also notice additional symptoms such as abdominal bloating or pain.

The Air You Breathe

Swimming With a Cough

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Swallowing air when you swim, especially if you swim at a vigorous pace, could cause you to develop excessive gas afterwards. Eating quickly or chewing gum before you swim, or wearing loose dentures can also cause you to develop flatulence. Certain types of foods are known to cause gas in some individuals. After eating these difficult-to-digest foods, your body might produce excess gas after you swim. Difficulty digesting gluten or lactose can also cause you to experience gas, especially if you swim after eating a meal containing these nutrients.

Swallowing air when you swim, especially if you swim at a vigorous pace, could cause you to develop excessive gas afterwards.
Difficulty digesting gluten or lactose can also cause you to experience gas, especially if you swim after eating a meal containing these nutrients.

Gas Be Gone

Regular exercise, including swimming, can help gas pass from your body more quickly, explains the Johns Hopkins website 1. Adding some abdominal exercises or changing your swimming routine to focus on strokes such as the backstroke can help strengthen your abdominal muscles, thereby reducing excess gas, advises the website. Swimming with your face toward the sky rather than facing the water might also help reduce the amount of water and air you swallow while swimming, also decreasing the amount of gas your body produces. Your doctor might recommend an over-the-counter medication to take before you swim.

Regular exercise, including swimming, can help gas pass from your body more quickly, explains the Johns Hopkins website 1.
Adding some abdominal exercises or changing your swimming routine to focus on strokes such as the backstroke can help strengthen your abdominal muscles, thereby reducing excess gas, advises the website.

No Triggers

Sore Throat After Swimming in a Lake

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Keep track of foods that seem to trigger excessive gas, and avoid eating them before you swim. Check with your doctor to see if over-the-counter gas prevention remedies might help prevent you from developing gas after eating certain types of foods, especially if you prefer swimming after you eat a meal. If you wear dentures, removing your dentures before you swim might also help prevent you from experiencing gas, advises the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website.