When the heat rises, our main concern is to stay cool. Preventing sunburn is next on our list of priorities. However, rising temperature or even the recent heatwave that Delhi faced can have massive consequences on your digestive health. The effect is always manifested in subtle ways but gains intensity as the mercury shoots up. Dr Manish Dodmani, Consultant - Medical Gastroenterologist, KIMS Hospitals, Thane, writes that heat’s impact works to disrupt the body, and the digestive system is usually one of the first casualties.
Upset Stomach? Blame The Rising Temperature
As per Dr Manish Dodmani, when our body is exposed to a heatwave, it attempts to cool itself by redirecting blood towards the skin. This results in decreased blood supply to the stomach and digestive tract, which slows down digestion. Consequently, individuals might become bloated, lose their appetite, or feel uneasy, such as nausea or acidity.
Food safety becomes a bigger issue during very hot weather. Leftovers or street food spoil quicker and the potential for food poisoning rises. You may not have caution when drinking impure water. Improperly stored food may give you a stomach infection, diarrhoea, or vomiting. This is why it is better to be eating fresh, properly cooked food, and drinking clean water even on a hot day.
The heat tends to aggravate any existing digestive issues, like they can arise more frequently, such as with acidity, indigestion or irritable bowel syndrome. Since you are profusely sweating, you are destined to face serious fluid loss, which interferes with the stomach's normal lining. This causes more acid than intended, producing burning or cramping feelings.
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Tips To Tackle Stomach Issues Due to Outside Heat
Dr Manish Dodmani says that to ease the negative effect of heat on digestion:
- Stick to light, fresh, easy-to-prepare meals
- Drink lots of fluids, cold water, lemon water, and buttermilk
- Consume water-carrying fruits such as watermelon and cucumber as they can help cool the stomach
- Avoid greasy, spicy, or heavy food as they are harder to digest in the summer
“If there are such symptoms as intense stomach ache, vomiting, or dehydration, then it is advisable to get medical assistance. The stomach, like the rest of the body, requires special attention in hot weather. Some minor adjustments to food and water intake can go a long way,” wraps up Dr Manish Dodmani.
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