Fit Or Fat: Nutrition and Exercise

Why Do I Feel Nauseated After Exercise?

Posting Date: 04/07/2000

Q: I become extremely nauseated and throw up within 15 minutes of weight lifting or doing any strenuous exercise. I have started taking Dramamine and the nausea goes away. I can run, bicycle, and do other exercises with no problem. Isn't it true that muscles produce lactic acid as a waste product when worked? Is it possible my body is not getting rid of these waste products fast enough with the result being nausea?

A: What an unusual problem! We've never run into it before! We do know that nausea is associated with anaerobic exercise. That's why you don't notice it when you run or bicycle because you're working aerobically. You must have an especially sensitive reaction to anaerobic exercise. I doubt if lactic acid build-up is the problem. More likely, you may be burning sugar excessively.

Stick with the Dramamine but keep a bottle of Gatorade (or some other sports drink) with you and take little sips throughout your workout. Don't go for the heavy-duty sports drink -- just a regular one. And don't glug it down, just take little sips every couple of minutes. If its low blood sugar that is the problem, the sports drink will replenish some of the sugar that has been burned for exercise and you will, hopefully, not get sick.