Long-associated with relaxation and improved emotional states, going to the ocean is often a recommended cure-all for your day-to-day woes. However, researchers from the University of Exeter Medical School in collaboration with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology are suggesting that time spent in the ocean can bring on additional woes in the shape of physical ailments.

Researchers determined that people who swim and/or participate in water sports are reportedly at greater risk of experiencing stomach bugs, ear aches and other ailments than people who don’t spend time in the sea.

According to Dr. Anne Leonard of the University of Exeter Medical School: "In high-income countries like the UK, there is a perception that there is little risk to health of spending time in the sea. However, our paper shows that spending time in the sea does increase the probability of developing illnesses, such as ear ailments and problems involving the digestive system, such as stomach ache and diarrhea. We think that this indicates that pollution is still an issue affecting swimmers in some of the world's richest countries."

Looking at data linking swimming and illness in high-income countries, researchers concluded that despite improved water quality in recent years, ocean water continues to experience pollution from sources such as sewage, industrial waste and farmland run-off.

Dr. Will Gaze, of the University of Exeter Medical School who supervised the research said: "We don't want to deter people from going into the sea, which has many health benefits such as improving physical fitness, wellbeing and connecting with nature. However, it is important that people are aware of the risks so they can make informed decisions. Although most people will recover from infections with no medical treatment, they can prove more serious for vulnerable people, such as the very old or very young, or those with pre-existing health conditions. We have come a long way in terms of cleaning up our waters, but our evidence shows there is still work to be done. We hope this research will contribute to further efforts to clean up our coastal waters."

The study is published in the International Journal of Epidemiology