As the summer heat intensifies, the high temperatures bring not only discomforts like excessive sweating, dizziness, and irritability, but also gastrointestinal problems. Experts remind us that cautious eating is key to reducing summer gastrointestinal illnesses.
The hot weather caused Xiao Wang to consume a lot of cold drinks at noon, and then he ate more than half of a chilled watermelon in the evening. Before long, he was overcome with severe abdominal pain and had to rush to the hospital holding his stomach. After a careful examination, Professor Zhang Shengsheng, Director of the Digestive Department at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, diagnosed Xiao Wang with upper gastrointestinal bleeding—specifically, a gastric hemorrhage. His excessive consumption of cold drinks aggravated his pre-existing chronic gastric ulcer, leading to the bleeding. Summer is a season for the recurrence and increased incidence of gastrointestinal diseases.
Director Zhang Shengsheng explained that gastrointestinal diseases that occur in the summer are primarily characterized by abdominal symptoms, often manifesting as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. Other symptoms may include loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Sometimes, patients with a cold may also experience significant gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea, which could indicate a "gastroenteritis cold." Many patients with chronic stomach conditions find their old ailments flare up more easily in the summer. Improper diet and excessive consumption of cold drinks can aggravate existing conditions, and in severe cases, even lead to gastric bleeding.
In the summer, the body's metabolism accelerates under the stimulus of high temperatures, leading to increased energy consumption, reduced sleep, and decreased appetite. This makes people more prone to fatigue and a weakened immune system. Drinking large amounts of water dilutes stomach acid and pepsin, impairing digestion. Coupled with indulging in cold foods, this further damages gastrointestinal function. The hot weather also promotes rapid bacterial growth, causing food to spoil easily. Flies and mosquitoes landing on food can also spread bacteria, which we may not notice. Consuming such contaminated food can easily lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. Some people are reluctant to throw away leftover spoiled food, or they buy cheap, unlicensed products, both of which can easily cause gastrointestinal diseases. Additionally, in the summer when bacteria thrive, poor personal hygiene makes it easier for illnesses to enter through the mouth, damaging the gut. The misconception that a stomachache is not a disease can delay proper treatment.
Some people believe that a stomachache is not a serious illness and that a few extra trips to the bathroom or taking some random anti-inflammatory medicine will solve the problem. Director Zhang Shengsheng stated that gastrointestinal discomfort can have many causes, and it is essential to seek timely medical attention to avoid delaying diagnosis and treatment.
For example, a common summer ailment like diarrhea can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or indigestion from improper diet. Different situations require different treatments. Bacterial diarrhea, such as dysentery, requires antibiotics. However, diarrhea caused by indigestion does not need anti-inflammatory drugs. Some common Chinese herbal medicines for the summer are often confused. "Shui Di Shui" (Ten Drops Liquid) and "Huo Xiang Zheng Qi" are frequently mixed up. Some people use "Shui Di Shui" for gastrointestinal discomfort, which is incorrect. "Shui Di Shui" is primarily for symptoms of summer heat, such as dizziness, coma, and high fever. "Huo Xiang Zheng Qi" is more effective for summer colds caused by exposure to wind and cold. Therefore, for a range of summer gastrointestinal symptoms, "Huo Xiang Zheng Qi" is more appropriate.
For cases where excessive consumption of cold drinks aggravates pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions, medications that protect the gastric mucosa are needed.