What causes stomach problems in summer?
Sep 28, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhao Haiming
Introduction
Summer diarrhea is usually caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acute gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and similar conditions. The exact causes and mechanisms of IBS are not yet fully understood. However, frequently consuming irritating foods during summer—such as barbecued meats, beer, and ice cream—may lead to abnormal visceral sensation and gastrointestinal motility, triggering the disease and resulting in diarrhea, which contributes to the common occurrence of summer diarrhea.
Summer diarrhea is usually caused by irritable bowel syndrome, acute gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and other reasons.
1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
The exact causes and mechanisms of irritable bowel syndrome are not yet fully understood. However, frequently consuming irritating foods during summer—such as barbecued items, beer, and ice cream—may lead to abnormal visceral sensation and gastrointestinal motility disorders, resulting in this condition and causing diarrhea, which manifests as summer diarrhea.
2. Acute Gastroenteritis
Summer diarrhea may also result from eating raw foods or leftover meals contaminated with intestinal pathogens such as Salmonella or Vibrio parahaemolyticus, leading to acute gastroenteritis. This condition commonly occurs in summer and is primarily characterized by abdominal pain and diarrhea.
3. Food Poisoning
Due to the high temperatures in summer, bacteria multiply rapidly, shortening the shelf life of food. Consuming food contaminated with intestinal bacteria or viruses may lead to food poisoning, causing discomfort symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, thus resulting in summer diarrhea.
