A cold stomach is a very common issue that many people have described. Since it happens all the time, you shouldn’t get too anxious because it means you are highly sensitive to what happens inside your body. For example, eating something cold could cause a cold or burning sensation in your gut.
However, sometimes, a cold stomach could indicate a medical issue. So, keep reading to learn the difference and discover potential causes and possible solutions.
What causes cold feeling in stomach?
While you think your stomach can’t get cold, it can. Your body contains thermoreceptors, nerve cells which are able to spot changes in temperature. Temperature signals are sent to the nervous system, which helps your body keep its core temperature at safe levels.
Thermoreceptors are located right under your skin, and they help your body control sweating or shivering as a way of cooling or heating itself. However, some receptors are placed deeper into your body that tend to be more subtle. They send signals to the autonomic nervous system. These receptors are in the abdomen, spinal cord, and brain.
It’s important to mention that several medical conditions could cause a cold sensation in the stomach. Some of them include:
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach or small intestine. A number of things can cause gastroenteritis, but the most common are viruses and bacteria. Viral gastroenteritis is also known as stomach flu. While there is no cure for viral gastroenteritis, a bacterial form can be treated with antibiotics. Getting enough rest and drinking plenty of fluids is crucial, regardless of whether you have viral or bacterial gastrointestinal.
Infections
Many infections can cause chills and pain, from food poisoning to ruptured appendix; any major infection can cause rigors or chills. Keep in mind that there are conditions that require immediate medical attention and can lead to severe infection or sepsis; they include difficulty breathing, racing heartbeat, dizziness, and high fever.
Kidney stone
Kidney stones aren’t much associated with chills like sharp pain. You may experience chills if you have a kidney stone, especially if it’s associated with a kidney infection. Crystals form in your body and turn into kidney stones, which are substances like calcium. It takes some time to flush them out of your body, and this journey can be painful, even blocking the flow of urine.
Gastroparesis
When your stomach starts to function lower than usual, it leads to gastroparesis. Chronic illnesses, surgeries, and diabetes can cause this condition.
Pancreatitis
This is a condition that causes the inflammation of the pancreas, which is a small organ located in your stomach. The pancreas produces insulin, a digestive enzyme. Many things cause insulin, which can be acute and chronic, as well as infections and non-infectious. When it comes to acute pancreatitis, you may experience a cold sensation and severe pain.
What are the symptoms of a cold stomach?
Several symptoms are associated with a cold stomach:
Cold sensation in the stomach causing stomach ache is common, especially during cold days or when you drink something cold. It will go away when the temperature rises or you drink something warm.
Chills: people with cold stomachs tend to experience chills and will want something warm to consume.
- Diarrhea
- Tastelessness
- Nausea and vomiting
Cold stomach when working out
Some people report having a cold stomach when no sign of infection is present. They experience this condition when working out. Many studies have researched why this happens, and they have come up with several theories:
One theory indicates that the temperature of the skin rises during exercise, and cold perceptions in other body parts may become pronounced. Another theory suggests that there are analgesic effects that happen with exercise. Scientists found that both theories applied to people more sensitive to cold.
When to seek professional help?
Medical help is necessary when treating a cold stomach. Considering this condition is linked to your digestive system, a gastroenterologist is the right person to consult. A regular doctor, or GP, can also be one of the options because he will advise you on the course of action and tell you what tests to do for a cold stomach.
On the other hand, you may pursue alternatives to modern medicine; for example, acupuncture is recommended as an alternative treatment for some digestive disorders. Again, the use of alternative medicine should only be done with the guidance of a professional.