On the 27th, a sudden heavy snowfall occurred in the central and southern inland areas, causing the morning temperature to drop by 7 to 10 degrees compared to the previous day. Strong winds made the perceived temperature even lower. The body, unaccustomed to such temperature changes, sends signals. It is indigestion. This change appears in many people. The Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service compared and analyzed the number of patients treated for 'functional dyspepsia' over five years from 2014 to 2018, and found that from December to February, the number of patients was 10.4% higher than from March to November.

When the weather is cold, gastrointestinal function temporarily declines. Digestive function is regulated by the autonomic nervous system of our body, which is particularly sensitive to temperature changes. When the perceived temperature drops, the sympathetic nervous system, which activates to raise body temperature, becomes active, causing blood flow to be directed toward the muscles that generate heat. As a result, blood flow to the stomach decreases, leading to reduced activity of the stomach. The parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes digestion, becomes inactive, resulting in decreased secretion of digestive enzymes. If the stomach is filled with food, indigestion can be triggered. Additionally, intestinal peristalsis decreases, which can lead to constipation.

Reduced physical activity due to cold weather also affects indigestion. People who take a walk after a meal may experience decreased digestion ability if they sit or lie down immediately due to the cold. Light movement stimulates the intestines and aids digestion. In a study involving adults experiencing abdominal bloating, it was found that walking for 10 to 15 minutes after a meal reduced gastrointestinal issues such as intestinal gas and belching.

If you are particularly prone to indigestion during winter, you should wear thermal underwear and cover your neck and head with scarves and hats to keep warm when going outside. After coming indoors from outside, it is better to naturally raise your body temperature rather than immediately warming up by a heater. If it is too cold to go out after a meal, simple stationary walking can help alleviate indigestion symptoms. High-fat foods, dairy products, wheat-based foods, coffee, and alcohol can worsen indigestion and should be avoided.

Meanwhile, pay attention to keeping warm and avoid exposure to extreme temperature differences indoors and outdoors. If indigestion persists continuously, check for accompanying symptoms such as weight loss, and it is safest to receive an accurate diagnosis from a gastroenterologist.

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For those who have indigestion

It's good to keep your body a bit warmer.

If I feel like eating somewhere a bit more comfortable,

I suddenly felt indigestion.