People with poor digestion are told to be mindful of keeping warm when going out... Why?

On the 27th, a sudden heavy snowfall hit the central and southern inland regions, causing morning temperatures to drop by 7 to 10 degrees Celsius compared to the previous day. Strong winds made the temperature feel even colder. The body, unable to adapt to the temperature change, is sending a signal: indigestion. This is a condition affecting many people. The Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service compared and analyzed the number of patients treated for "functional dyspepsia" between 2014 and 2018, and found that the number of patients in December to February was 10.4% higher than in March to November.

Cold weather temporarily slows down gastrointestinal function. Digestive function is controlled by the body's autonomic nervous system, which is particularly sensitive to temperature changes. When the perceived temperature drops, the sympathetic nervous system, which stimulates the body's immune system, is activated to raise body temperature, diverting blood flow to the heat-generating muscles. This reduces blood flow to the stomach, reducing gastric activity. The parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes digestion, is also deactivated, reducing the secretion of digestive enzymes. A stomach full of food can cause indigestion. Intestinal peristalsis also decreases, leading to constipation.

Reduced physical activity due to the cold also contributes to indigestion. Even those who take walks after meals may find their digestion impaired if they sit or lie down immediately due to the cold. This is because light movement stimulates the intestines and aids digestion. In fact, a study of adults experiencing abdominal bloating found that walking for 10 to 15 minutes after a meal reduced gastrointestinal problems like intestinal gas and belching.

If you're prone to indigestion, especially in the winter, wear long underwear and wrap yourself with a scarf or hat to keep warm when going outside. After coming indoors from the outdoors, it's better to raise your body temperature naturally rather than immediately warming yourself up by a heater. If it's too cold to go out after a meal, simply walking in place can help alleviate indigestion. Avoid high-fat foods, dairy products, flour-based foods, coffee, and alcohol, as these can worsen indigestion.

Meanwhile, if indigestion persists despite being careful about keeping warm and avoiding exposure to extreme temperature differences indoors and outdoors, it is safe to check for accompanying symptoms such as weight loss and receive an accurate diagnosis from a gastroenterologist.

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For those who have indigestion

It's good to warm up your body a little.

If I want to eat it in a cold place,

The sudden illness came right away.