Stomach problems in Cold Weather!!

Cold weather can be a pain in more ways than one! The digestive system can be a source of considerable illness in winter if people eat the wrong food and don't rug up. The digestive system enters an active stage in winter and that is why dietary reinforcements are usually more effective than in other seasons. But stomach problems also often occur due to cold air, eating unsafe and spicy foods.

Though the intestinal infection can affect people at any time of the year, it is most prevalent during fall and winter in the U.S. Despite the name, the infection actually has nothing to do with influenza. The stomach flu viruses attack the digestive tract leading to inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

The infection is not serious but is troublesome for the person affected by it. Symptoms often last for one to three days — in some cases even longer. Dehydration is the main risk factor involved in stomach flu, especially for babies and elderly people.
Symptoms

    Pain in the abdomen, rectum, or stomach
    Belching
    Bloating
    Diarrhea
    Green stool
    Indigestion
    Nausea
    Vomiting
    Flatulence
    Stomach cramps
    Dehydration
    Chills
    Excessive thirst/dry mouth
    Fever
    Lethargy
    Loss of appetite
    Weakness or sweating
    Headache
    Insufficient urine production
    Weight loss

What to do?
Cold food should be avoided to reduce stimulation of gastric fluids, especially at breakfast. As most of the organs are still in a state of sleep, eating cold foods may result in contraction and poor blood circulation in the digestive system, leading to indigestion. Warm or relatively hot foods, however, can help stimulate blood circulation.

Since immunity decreases with cold temperatures, we should also be aware of infectious digestive ailments with typical symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting. Uncooked foods are the first group recommended to be crossed off the menu.

As for patients with chronic stomach problems like inflammation or ulcers, it is essential to quit smoking, drinking and eating other stimulating foods. It is also advised to take precautionary medicine to stop relapses of stomach problems.

Treatment
Stomach flu is often self-treatable. There is no particular medical treatment for the infection and antibiotics generally do not work against viruses. However, those down with stomach flu are advised to avoid dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and fatty or highly seasoned foods.