Does Drinking Cold Drinks And Eating Icecreams Cause Cold And Sore Throat?

Posted on Sat, 3 May 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 3 May 2014 Answered on

Thu, 22 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Doc..Drinking cold drinks and eating icecreams can result in cold, cough and sore throat..

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Cold temperature can affect some individuals...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Yes, cold temperature can affect some individuals especially those who have history of vasomotor rhinnitis and seasonal allergies. This is something that's within your genes. The only advice, I can give you is refrain from cold and refrigerated food products. You can limit the effects by early use of salt water gargles and steam inhalation.

Besides that, you can explore herbal, homeopathy and other wholistic treatment options. Though there are no clinical data available about its helpfulness, there are anecdotal reports that they help. Try ayurveda or homeopathy through a qualified expert.

In addition, physical exercise, plenty of fruits and vegetables, yoga and transcedental meditation can be helpful.

Hope this helps you. Let me know if you need clarifications.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (2 days later)

Thank you Doc..But why cold/cough/sore throat happens with intake of cold drinks and Icecreams..I undertand they are either Bacteria or Viruses which cause them..XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Physiological changes due to cold exposure...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Blood vessels within the nasal mucosa and throat constrict after cold exposure. This leads to nasal congestion and throat irritation. Similarly the upper air way passages constrict leading to cough and breathing issues. This is normal physiological response seen in every individual. This response is designed by nature to protect us during extreme cold temperatures. Unfortunately in some individuals the response is exaggerated.

In short it is not only the bacteria and virus that cause cold and cough during cold weather, the low temperature itself may be the cause. It's an inheritant property that's exaggerated in your case. Allopathy has no treatment to change this inheritant property, therefore my suggestions to try alternative therapies.

Hope I am clear. Let me know if you need clarifications.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (1 hour later)

Thank you Dr XXXXXXX .This helps..

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome...

Detailed Answer:
If you have no more questions, I request you to close this discussion and rate your experience.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar