nutrition and health

Digestive congestion in summer: causes

Congestion is a problem of the gastrointestinal system that occurs more frequently in summer, due to a sudden temperature change in the area of ​​the abdomen . It is, in fact, a digestive block almost always due to the cold, like an air blow, a swim in the sea or in the pool during the digestive phase or the consumption of an iced drink when you are very hot.

What happens

Once eaten, blood is concentrated in the stomach area for digestion . If you drink something too cold quickly or bathe in the sea immediately after eating, the sudden change in temperature triggers a defense reaction on the part of the body: the brain in front of the emergency orders the body to put on in the ideal position to return the blood to itself, so that the basal temperature is maintained. It follows a decrease in the blood that circulates in the abdomen, the interruption of the digestive process and a circulatory imbalance .

How it manifests itself

The affected person suddenly pales, trembles, sweats cold and feels exhausted. After a few minutes, severe abdominal pain appears, with cramps in the pit of the stomach, nausea and vomiting. In some cases, a loss of consciousness is possible.

How to intervene

At the first sign of illness, it is necessary to lie down with the legs just raised with respect to the head and keep the belly warm, resting the hands on the abdomen. It may be useful to drink something warm in small sips, such as room temperature water, chamomile or tea. After about an hour, a feeling of dizziness and tiredness will remain in the muscles and limbs. In these cases, it is necessary to rest as much as possible, do not eat until a little appetite returns and continue to drink little, avoiding drinking alcohol. If the symptomatology is more serious, instead, it is better to go to the emergency room.

How long to wait before taking a bath? It is advisable to wait at least 3 hours from a complete meal or 1-2 hours if you have eaten a light snack (eg sandwich, salad, etc.).