(Helpful Tip) Prevention and Management of Summer Cooling Illnesses

 

 

Although climate change has led to many extreme weather events such as heatwaves and heavy rains, surprisingly, summer illnesses are more often caused by cooling-related illnesses due to air conditioning rather than heat. The hot and humid weather and heatwaves limit outdoor activities, leading people to stay indoors, which decreases physical activity and prolonged exposure to air conditioning can cause systemic physiological dysfunction, resulting in problems throughout the body. While commonly known as "cooling sickness," many people are not well aware of prevention and management methods. Here, Director Lee Hyung-chul of Jasan Korean Medicine Hospital explains the causes and management of cooling sickness.

 

 

 

1. Causes of heat exhaustion

Excessive temperature differences between indoor and outdoor environments and a sudden decrease in indoor humidity can lead to cold-related illnesses. Usually, when the temperature difference between outside and inside exceeds 10 degrees Celsius, the autonomic nervous system cannot function properly, and the body cannot adapt. Air conditioning not only lowers indoor temperature but also reduces humidity by 30-40%, causing the respiratory mucous membranes to dry out and the bronchi to become sensitive, making it easier to develop various illnesses. Furthermore, improper indoor ventilation for cooling often results in poor air quality, and in multi-use facilities such as offices, banks, and subways, ventilation issues can lead to the accumulation of harmful germs, creating an even worse environment. Therefore, frequent ventilation is important.

 

 

 

2. Symptoms of heat exhaustion

The symptoms of heat-related illness can be broadly categorized into respiratory symptoms, systemic symptoms, gastrointestinal disturbances, changes in women's menstrual cycles, and exacerbation of pre-existing chronic illnesses.

Respiratory symptoms are similar to a cold, manifesting as nasal congestion or sore throat, and those with allergies may experience more severe symptoms. Systemic symptoms include a heavy body feeling, headaches, muscle aches, decreased appetite, and overall weakness. Frequent abdominal pain and diarrhea are caused by gastrointestinal disturbances, leading to chills, decreased organ function, and reduced intestinal motility, resulting in bloating and poor digestion. In women, cold sensations in the body and extremities may occur, and menstrual cycles may become irregular or menstrual pain may worsen. Especially, patients with compromised cardiopulmonary function or chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes should be cautious of worsening symptoms and disease progression, as they are more susceptible to cold-related illnesses.

 

 

 

3. Traditional Korean Medicine Treatment for Air Conditioning Illness

The healing method for summer heat-related illnesses in traditional Korean medicine is 'Yileechile'. According to Dongui Bogam, an important health preservation method during summer (a way to manage health well to avoid illness and aim for longevity) is to induce moderate sweating. It is said that maintaining the body's internal heat balance by releasing heat through sweat pores to the outside is beneficial for maintaining health during the summer.

In traditional Korean medicine, summer disease (暑病) refers to illnesses caused by heat after the lower limbs. Long-term walking or working that damages the body due to heat is called Yang Summer Heat (陽暑), and cases where one avoids heat by exposing oneself to wind for a long time or eating cold foods that cool the stomach are called Yin Summer Heat (陰暑). Therefore, cooling sickness (냉방병) in traditional Korean medicine is most similar to the symptoms of Yin Summer Heat (陰暑), where excessive sweating causes the body's yang qi to be expelled through the skin. As a result, the abdomen tends to become weak and cold (虛冷), due to a deficiency of yang qi, making the body feel cold and weak. The main treatment involves warming the spleen and stomach to restore function and replenishing the consumed qi and blood.

The prescription varies depending on the type of cold caused by cooling sickness. For respiratory symptoms primarily characterized by a runny nose, similar to summer colds, a prescription called Ihyangsan (二香散), composed of Xiangfuzi, Xiangyu, Xiaoye, and Jupi, is used. When symptoms include cold hands and feet, along with body or head aches, and gastrointestinal issues such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, modifications of prescriptions like Ojeoksan (五積散), which contains Mahuang, Cheongung, Baekjakyak, or Gwakhyangjeonggi-san (藿香正氣散), which includes Gwakhyang, Xiaoye, Jupi, and Baekbokryeong, can be applied.

For people who usually have weak or poor digestive systems, or who frequently experience general fatigue, taking Shengmaisan (Herbal Decoction of Ginseng, Mai Men Dong, and Wu Wei Zi) can help manage health during the easily exhausting summer months. Additionally, the spicy taste of ginger tea promotes internal metabolism and warms the body, improving overall body condition. Boiling and drinking astragalus and white atractylodes also yields significant benefits.

 

 

4. Prevention and management of heatstroke

The best way to prevent cold-related illnesses is to keep the indoor and outdoor temperature difference within 5 degrees Celsius. When staying in a place with air conditioning for a long time, avoid direct contact of the cold air from the air conditioner with the skin, and if the cooling is too strong, prepare long-sleeved outerwear to regulate body temperature. Especially, women are more physiologically sensitive to cold than men, and during summer, they often wear exposed clothing such as hot pants or sleeveless tops, which increases direct exposure to air conditioning, so caution is needed. Instead of eating cold foods or cold drinks to cool down, it is better to consume warm foods like ginseng chicken soup or warm dishes to keep the internal organs warm.

Avoid excessive use of air conditioning devices, and ventilate for about 5 minutes every 2 hours to circulate dry and stale air and prevent the buildup of toxic gases.

 

 

 

 

 

5. Atopic dermatitis, skin disease patients, and air conditioning

Sweat, which is known to be detrimental to atopic dermatitis, can help with skin conditions by regulating temperature with air conditioning, but excessive cooling can worsen atopic dermatitis or allergic skin. Since air conditioners make indoor humidity dry, dry indoor humidity and low temperatures can deplete moisture from the skin surface, further aggravating atopic dermatitis. To prevent this, it is advisable not to excessively lower the indoor temperature and to ventilate frequently to maintain proper indoor humidity. Additionally, paying attention to skin hydration by applying moisturizer to exposed skin whenever possible can prevent moisture loss. Drinking water regularly to replenish moisture is also helpful.