Table of contents:
- Does the stomach get heartburn when exposed to cold?
- The cause of a person experiencing heartburn when cold
- How to prevent digestive problems during cold weather
Cold weather can affect your physical and psychological condition. Some people even claim to experience heartburn when cold strikes. However, is it true that cold air can affect the digestive system
Does the stomach get heartburn when exposed to cold?
The human body will react in a variety of ways when exposed to cold. Most people urinate frequently, shiver non-stop, or experience changes in their digestive system.
Some people complain of constipation or some people feel heartburn when the weather is cold.
This is probably caused by the performance of various systems in the body that can slow down due to cold weather, including the digestive system.
It is true that cold temperatures can slow down the performance of the body's systems. However, generally the effects of this condition are rarely detected or felt.
Usually, the effect is only felt when you experience extreme conditions, for example, when your body temperature drops dramatically due to hypothermia. This is an emergency condition that requires medical attention.
When it is cold, actually humans always try to return the body to its normal temperature, which is between 36.1-37 degrees Celsius. This temperature is the optimal temperature for the digestive system to work.
So, what about those who experience heartburn during cold weather? Some of them even complained about diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain?
Mark Mattar, MD, a doctor from MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, explains that it may be related to the different effects of cold weather on each person.
The cause of a person experiencing heartburn when cold
If you live in a country that has cold winters, you may be more at risk for digestive problems related to weather changes.
This is because the immune system decreases during cold weather so that bacteria can more easily attack the body.
Bacteria Yersinia is one of the bacterial infections. This infection attacks the digestive tract and causes yersiniosis.
Symptoms are fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and a rash. The disease is transmitted through contaminated food and occurs more frequently during winter.
Apart from affecting your physical condition, cold weather can also have an impact on your psychological condition. During cold weather, people stay indoors more often and avoid various activities.
As a result, people will receive less sun exposure. Lack of sun exposure is then associated with a decrease in the pleasure hormone serotonin.
These two factors make it easier to feel stressed. When you are stressed, your appetite and diet can change.
Stress ultimately affects digestive health and has the potential to make your stomach feel more hearty in cold weather.
How to prevent digestive problems during cold weather
Preventing digestive problems during cold weather is actually not much different from normal weather conditions. There are several ways you can do this, including:
- eat small portions but often
- eat slowly
- avoid consumption of spicy, gassy, high-fat, and acidic foods
- store food in closed containers
- sufficient fluid needs
If your stomach always feels like it hurts during cold weather, it could be because you think it is your own thoughts. Try to relax yourself so that stress doesn't affect your health.
You can also consult a doctor if digestive problems persist or get worse. This effort will help you find the cause as well as anticipate other health problems you may be experiencing.
