2 replies to this topic

[Mick]

Hi,

Had to DNF from a 24h race on Sat when my partner started vomiting at around the 8 hour mark. To his credit he toughed it out for another 7 hours, vomiting another 3-4 times, even just water wouldn't stay down.

We know vomiting can cause dehydration, but what about dehydration causing vomiting ? I've done a few searches, and one person quotes a medical reference, but was trying to find some info to send my partner for future reference. I believe we have a few docs here, hoping they might be able to provide some info.

A bit of background on the day and why I think dehydration may have been the cause. We both carried bladders with water in backpack. We started with what turned out to be a > 2 hour kayak section. It was very hard work as there was a stiff wind, we had to head directly into it, waves were smashing over the front of the kayak (and us), etc. My parter had one toilet stop in this leg (so presumably was hydrated at the start), I had two stops. We changed to bike, I didn't feel like drinking, but had 1/2 a bottle of half warm poweraide from my box, they day was warm, approaching 30, after an easy 30min we headed up a decent hill (5-6km of ascent). Partner doing it tough, started doing some walking sections, said he was concerving energy, fair enough, long day ahead. I didn't feel like eating/drinking, but my plan was to eat every hour, and toilet break no more than every two. I kept having regular sips. We hit the next TA, I went to loo again, partner didn't. I had another 1/2 bottle of sport drink, we filled bladders, mine almost empty, no idea what partner drank. We walked for around 3 hours, hit the TA again, another loo stop + 1/2 bottle of sports drink for me. Partner doesn't go to loo, I ask if he has been since kayak, NO !!! I tell him no loo in 5 hours when doing exercise in 30+ degrees isn't good. Someone hears the conversation and backs me up. We get back on the bike, 1 hour later he is heaving quite badly (around 8 hours from start).

He never really recovers. Says feels ok after the vomit. Has food + drink at next TA, comes up 30-45 min later. Think he had just lollies + water, comes up. Then just water, comes up. Several times he stops wanting to vomit and nothing there. He's doing it tough, our navigation was great and we are positive, but he doesn't have the energy for our midnight rogaine and we are close to the end of the field. At the TA they ask how we are going and when they find out he has been vomiting for 7 hours they aren't keen for us to continue and offer us a lift, which reluctantly we accept.

I probably didn't need the rant above, but thought I'd give some background. Unfortunately I don't know how much he drank, but it was way less than me.

Thanks
Mick

[emjay]

dehydration increases the chance of developing heatstroke, which can induce vomiting.

[Martin Dugdale]

I think that nausea and vomiting are a combination of nutrition and hydration coupled with lack of blood supply to the stomach during endurance events. it is common among ultra runners and avoiding it is something of a holy grail. it seems that the harder you work, the more likely it is to occur. the most common remedies seem to involve eating and drinking small amounts frequently. but it is easy to fail to do this.