Exhausted to the point of vomiting? This is not a joke, especially in endurance sports like running. We often see many people feeling nauseous or even vomiting while running. During last year's Beijing Athletics World Championships, we saw many athletes vomiting directly during the men's 20km race walk. So, what causes this 'exhaustion-induced vomiting'?
Many people feel nauseous while running. This is not uncommon. The common reason is that blood carrying adrenaline or other stress hormones flows to the stomach and intestines. This sudden stimulation can trigger a vomiting response. This is also why many people fail at critical moments; the tension during a competition stimulates more adrenaline secretion, making your body feel different from regular training.
What about dizziness caused by exercise? This happens because, while running, the blood in your calf muscles flows towards the heart. When you stop exercising, this flow reverses immediately, causing a temporary lack of blood supply to the brain. This is why physical education teachers always tell you not to sit down immediately after running but to continue jogging or walking. If continuing low-intensity exercise doesn't solve the dizziness, you can try lying flat with your legs elevated.
Regular moderate exercise can boost the immune system and reduce the chances of respiratory infections. However, there is a phenomenon known as the 'open window' of immune function, which often occurs during endurance sports (especially long-distance running) and high-intensity exercise. During this period, the body is less resistant to respiratory infections.
This 'open window' period usually lasts from 3 to 12 hours. During this time, the body's immune defense system cannot respond promptly to the invasion of viruses and bacteria, increasing the likelihood of catching a cold, fever, or runny nose. This might also be one of the reasons for feeling nauseous after running.
This is also why people are not encouraged to exercise while sick. Everyone has a competitive spirit to some extent and may think that a common cold or fever can be overcome by pushing through with exercise. I once saw a question on Zhihu: [What are some 'this can actually kill you' cases that doctors have seen?], and it gave me chills.
In summary, I just want to share one insight: physical discomfort is the body's most primitive instinct for danger. Never ignore such warnings; your body is your most valuable asset.