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CLEAR Temp: 82 °F Wind: NNW at 10 mph Friday, July 25, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 23, 2003 Since You Asked Like mom said: don’t swim after you eat What are stomach cramps? Why do stomach cramps drown swimmers? Do swimmers suffering stomach cramps always drown? — Charlie D., Central Point You wouldn’t think so, Charlie, but we had to search high and low for information on lowly stomach cramps — the thing mom always warns you about after a picnic on a hot day with cool water tempting you for a swim. We found what we needed at howstuffworks.com on the Web. When you exercise, your body shifts blood flow to the muscles that need it. When you eat, your body sends blood to the digestive tract. When you do both, you split the difference and neither gets enough for the work it’s doing. It’s one thing if your stomach can’t digest that burrito you just ate, but it’s a really big issue if, say, you’re hoping your body’s muscles will keep you from drowning. Unless you’re near land, something that floats or a magic fairy, you’re in trouble. Advertisement There are other kinds of stomach cramps associated with bacteria and viruses, but none we know that would cause someone to drown. Chances are if you’re suffering these kind of cramps, swimming is at the bottom of your list of things you’d like to do. The moral of the story? Moms give really good advice. Wait an hour after you eat and avoid stomach cramps when you swim. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times