Every summer in the clinic, I often hear comments such as, “After being in air conditioning for a long time, my stomach started aching mildly and I had diarrhea,” or “I feel chilly like I have a Common Cold, and my stomach feels nauseated.” Air-conditioning illness is not simply a matter of being sensitive to cold. It can be understood as a state in which the body has difficulty adapting to the indoor-outdoor temperature difference, affecting both overall condition and digestive function.
Why Does It Feel Like An Upset Stomach?
When the body is exposed to a cold environment for a long time, peripheral blood vessels constrict and the balance of the autonomic nervous system can be disrupted. At this time, stomach motility and Digestion may decline, leading to bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or vomiting.
In environments where air-conditioning units are not well maintained, exposure to bacteria or viruses can also occur. Even if symptoms start after air-conditioning exposure, if diarrhea is severe or fever is present, it is best not to assume it is only air-conditioning illness.
The Symptom Pattern May Differ From A Common Cold
A typical Common Cold often involves prominent Respiratory System symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, or sore throat. In contrast, with air-conditioning illness, some people first experience digestive symptoms such as indigestion or diarrhea, along with body aches, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, and decreased concentration.
Of course, these two conditions are not completely separate. Common Cold viral infections can occur in summer, and enteritis may overlap when overall condition has declined due to air-conditioning.
The First Step Is Adjusting The Air-Conditioning Environment
If symptoms are mild, the body often recovers simply by changing the living environment. In summer, I recommend not setting the indoor temperature too low and adjusting it so that the indoor-outdoor temperature difference does not become too large.
- Indoor temperature is generally adjusted within the range of 25~28 degrees.
- Aim for an indoor-outdoor temperature difference of about 5 degrees.
- In places with strong air-conditioning, protect the abdomen and the back of the neck with a light outer layer.
- Reduce cold drinks and greasy foods until symptoms settle.
- Ventilate indoor air regularly and maintain air-conditioner filters.
When We Recommend A Consultation
If diarrhea and vomiting recur, fluids and electrolytes can become depleted quickly. If symptoms last more than a day or two, if you can hardly eat, or if abdominal pain worsens, we recommend that you receive care.
- When there is a high fever or severe chills
- When there is bloody stool, black stool, or severe abdominal pain
- When dehydration symptoms occur, such as decreased urination, dry mouth, and dizziness
- When an older adult, pregnant person, or person with a chronic disease has repeated diarrhea and vomiting
- If consciousness becomes clouded or severe dehydration makes it difficult to walk, call 119 or use the emergency room first.
Air-conditioning illness usually begins by looking at daily rhythm and temperature control together. However, for people with prominent digestive symptoms, the speed of recovery can differ depending on constitution, usual digestive strength, and the condition of bowel function. Rather than pushing through, please pay attention to your body’s signals and, when needed, protect your summer condition with appropriate care.