[Sportschosun reporter Jang Jong-ho] A 7-year-old boy who drank two cold beverages in quick succession nearly lost his life after his intestines twisted.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the boy, identified only as A, lives in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China. Recently, while playing in hot weather, he drank a glass of cold cola and then had an iced milk tea. He later developed severe abdominal pain and vomiting, and his family rushed him to the hospital.
Medical staff diagnosed him with acute intestinal volvulus and moved him to intensive care as his condition worsened. It was also reported that tests found signs of necrosis in part of his intestines.
Volvulus refers to a condition in which part of the digestive tract twists around the mesentery axis or becomes entangled due to surrounding fibrosis.
It can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and intestinal obstruction. If treatment is delayed, it may lead to intestinal necrosis or perforation and become life-threatening.
Medical staff said the main cause was likely the sudden intake of a large amount of cold, sugary carbonated drinks in a hot environment, which strongly irritated the intestines and triggered the symptoms. They added that children's digestive systems are not yet fully developed, making them more vulnerable than adults to sudden temperature changes and excessive stimulation.
They advised that young children, especially infants and toddlers, should avoid drinking large amounts of iced beverages on hot days.
They also noted that older adults may face greater strain on the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems when they consume too many cold drinks because of reduced intestinal function. In addition, they stressed that people should be careful about quickly drinking cold beverages right after exercise or on an empty stomach.
Meanwhile, eating cold foods or drinking cold beverages is not always harmful to health. However, eating too much at once, having certain medical conditions, or being in a specific physical state, such as fasting or just after exercise, can cause side effects in some people.
Common health side effects include abdominal pain, diarrhea, indigestion, twisting-like abdominal pain, heartburn, bloating, sudden diarrhea, stomach cramps, reduced gastrointestinal function, headaches, increased tooth sensitivity or pain, and worsening symptoms of acid reflux.
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
