Swimming and Pulmonary Edema Part I
Monday, December 10, 2007
Jolie Bookspan, M.Ed, PhD, FAWM
"I am an Ironman Triathlete and have recently experienced symptoms of swimming induced pulmonary edema on two occasions this year and am trying to find as much information about this condition as possible. I have a background in swimming and have not experience this phenomena until recently. In both instances, my breathing became labored and fluid built up in my lungs during the early stages of a competitive triathlon swim.
"The most recent instance of what I suspect was 'SIPE' (Swimming Induced Pulmonary Edema) was on July 22nd at Ironman USA in Lake Placid. After the swim portion of the event, I had to be taken to the hospital as I was unable to breathe and was coughing up a 'pink frothy foam.' I felt normal within 24 hours and have still been able to continue to train as normal –initial ECG and Echo tests of my heart are normal, as well as a lung scan and x-rays of my lungs, throat and sinuses.
"The problem has only occurred in 2 out of 4 triathlon’s I have been in this year – and both instances occurred at approx. the 750m mark of an open water swim.
"It doesn't seem to be a common ailment so I’m trying to gather as much information on SIPE as possible from anyone who has studied it. I'm primarily trying to find out how to prevent it from happening. I am fine in training in the same 'open' cold water as I race it, so why is it happening on race day... Perhaps not enough of a swim 'warm-up' and an immediate elevation in HR... that along with added fluids in the days leading up to a long distance event such as an Ironman."
Warming up does not seem to be related to developing pulmonary edema. Why pulmonary edema can happen with swimming, what fluids have to do with it, and what to do, follow on Wednesday - click Swimming and Pulmonary Edema Part II .
Related Posts and Comments:
Swimming and Pulmonary Edema Part II
Subjects Invited for Immersion Pulmonary Edema Study
Photo by Rick
Labels: circulation, cold, injury, ironman, pulmonary edema/oedema, swimming, triathlon
3 Comments:
At Saturday, May 17, 2008 8:55:00 AM,
Unknown said…
53 year old female here. Flew from IND for Big Sur; ran last two legs 9.5M. Flew home next day. Ran Indy Mini next Sat. Monday during swim to qualify for diving class developed symptoms of pulmonary edema. Ambulance EMT's administered lasix and oxygen. Subsequent stress echo. Prior to swim noticed swelling of legs which is normal for me when I am tired from lack of sleep.
At Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:07:00 PM,
Anonymous said…
39 yr old male. did mini-triathlon, and at the 300 meter mark felt breath go. By the time I made it to shore, I could not stand and breathing was worse...lung full of liquid and coughing up pink foam. Got Oxygen treatment, then ambulance ride to hospital, where EKG and CT Scans were done...they were treating me for a possible heart attach, but all tests showed heart was good.
Looking back, at the beginning of the swim I was having a hard time putting my head in the water, almost like a panic attack of sorts, and really never got into my grove swimming. In training I had had a couple of times where I could not get comfortable in the swim, but I stepped out and re-gathered myself. Could it be stress related? Also, I fear that my blood oxygen levels may be "wounded"....
Finally, see some blogs out there hinting that diabetes may be a hidden factor (I do not have diabetes, but it runs rapid in my family).
Sorry for more questions, but I am searching as you are....as it scared me!
I continue to meet with my PCP so if anything turns, I will post.
At Wednesday, July 16, 2008 12:52:00 PM,
Jolie Bookspan, M.Ed, PhD, FAWM said…
Jeff, don't worry, blood oxygen levels cannot be "wounded." You change the amount of oxygen blood can carry by exercise training. Higher aerobic capacity means more ability of the several different system components to help the blood carry the oxygen. You lower it with lack of training. But the blood is not injured. Cells that normally die are replaced regularly and quickly. Having any health issue, diabetes, or any other, can add difficulty factors. Check your nutrition for junk sugar and fat, including so called 'health" and sports drinks. It is not necessary to drink chemicals and refine sugar to train or compete. See Nutrition for Endurance Swim Training and related posts. Click the labels on swimming and nutrition to get the full lists.
Are you generally comfortable swimming? Do you easily breath to the side, and easily and comfortably place head in the water for swimming? If not, then retraining this aspect can help. If you are normally comfortable, do you know what was different this time? Being unsure or uncomfortable in the water is not fun or safe. I plan to post some techniques of comfortable healthy and fast swim mechanics.
Cindy, Jeff, Congrats on your big races and triathlon. Every adventure teaches and helps something. You got a lot at once. You did great.
Post a Comment
<< Home