In the hot summer, many people like to drink ice water to cool down and quench their thirst. However, some people may experience stomach pain after drinking ice water. Why does this happen? What can be done if drinking ice water causes stomach pain?
Reasons for stomach pain after drinking ice water
1. Stomach pain after drinking ice water may be caused by poor gastrointestinal function. The coldness of the ice water stimulates the stomach and intestines, leading to acute gastroenteritis and resulting in stomach pain.
2. Ice water is cold and should not be consumed in large quantities. In the summer, when the body is hot, drinking a large amount of ice water can cause stomach coldness, decrease the immunity of the gastrointestinal tract, disrupt the normal circulation of yang qi in the body, and result in abdominal pain.
3. Tap water becomes ice water after being refrigerated. The temperature of ice water is very low. When it enters the body, the stomach and intestines cannot handle such cold water in a short period of time, causing stomach spasms and symptoms such as stomach pain. It is more appropriate to drink warm water in summer. Warm water is not significantly different from body temperature and helps with absorption by the body.
What to do if drinking ice water causes stomach pain
Press the stomach with a towel
Stomach pain after drinking ice water usually does not last long. You can use a thick towel or clothing to apply pressure to the abdomen. At the same time, try to walk and move the stomach to relieve the pain.
Apply a hot towel to the stomach
If your stomach hurts after drinking ice water, you can apply a hot towel to the stomach for a few minutes and then drink some hot water to relieve the pain. Rest for a while and the pain will subside.
Drink ginger and brown sugar water
Ginger and brown sugar water can help relieve stomach pain and cold-related pain. It has the effect of warming the meridians and dispelling cold. Stomach pain after drinking ice water is often caused by the stomach being chilled. Drinking ginger and brown sugar water can effectively alleviate the symptoms.
Who should avoid drinking ice water
1. Pregnant women should avoid drinking ice water. During pregnancy, the resistance of pregnant women is weakened, and drinking ice water can easily cause cold symptoms, which is not conducive to a healthy pregnancy.
2. Infants under one year old should not drink ice water. The organs of infants under one year old are not fully developed, and drinking ice water can easily cause gastrointestinal discomfort and symptoms such as diarrhea.
3. People who have just come out of a hot environment should avoid drinking ice water. When people come out of a hot environment and immediately drink ice water, their body functions will be stimulated by the cold water, leading to symptoms of heat stroke.
4. People with poor gastrointestinal function should avoid drinking ice water. If the spleen and stomach are weak, and if a person has enteritis, their gastrointestinal tract should not be stimulated. Ice water is a cold and cooling substance, and drinking ice water can easily trigger symptoms such as enteritis, diarrhea, and abdominal pain in people with poor gastrointestinal function.
When should ice water not be consumed
1. Ice water should not be consumed on an empty stomach. Drinking ice water on an empty stomach can stimulate the stomach and intestines, making it more likely to cause stomach pain.
2. Ice water should not be consumed after intense exercise. After intense exercise, the body consumes a lot of energy and generates a lot of heat, causing an increase in body temperature. If ice water is consumed after exercise, the blood vessels in the stomach and intestines will immediately contract, leading to stomach pain and disruption of bodily functions.
3. Ice water should not be consumed while singing. Drinking ice water while singing can stimulate the mucous membranes of the throat, causing the constricted blood vessels to reduce blood flow. This can allow hidden bacteria to enter the body, potentially causing sore throat, hoarseness, coughing, and cold symptoms.
