After a lot of snow, I came back to the stomach. It is the weather that reminds me of a cup of soju in soup. At this time of year, there will be a lot of people who have promised drunks in order to send a 'farewell' as well as a year-end party.
If you drink alcohol on such a cold day, your body feels warm as you heat. However, at the end of the year, the number of patients seeking a hospital due to a cold disease is increasing. In fact, three of the 10 cold-blooded patients in the last five years have been drinking alcohol. What is the relationship between cold and alcohol?

■ 'I have been feeling cold for a long time' ... Hypothermia Death Four already

Cold disease refers to all kinds of diseases that cause cold, such as hypothermia or bronchi, which cause damage to the body. Especially in the same early winter, our body has not fully adapted to the cold, so the risk of cold disease increases.

Hypothermia, which occurs when a person's body temperature drops below 35 degrees Celsius, is the most common cold disease in winter. In severe cases, heart, lungs, brain, and other major body functions are reduced and mental confusion can lead to death.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 44 people were diagnosed with hypothermia, 3 people with bronchitis, and 1 person with alopecia. Four of them lost their lives due to hypothermia.

■ "I thought it was getting warmer" ... Our bodies feel cold due to brain dysfunction

Most cold cases that occur after drinking are hypothermia. It is true that when you drink alcohol in cold weather, your temperature will rise, but this is only a temporary phenomenon.

Our body expands the blood vessels in the process of decomposing alcohol, when the blood rushes toward the skin and the face becomes red and feverish. However, as the heat released to the outside through the widened blood vessels is increased, the body temperature that has been rising for a while is rapidly reduced.

Plus, you know, alcohol also lowers the cognitive function of the brain. It makes the judgment that the brain should fall when it is cold, such as 'The temperature has fallen below freezing, I have to wear clothes', 'It is cold outside and I have to move inside'.

Excessive drinking also makes the central nervous system, which regulates body temperature, dull and makes you feel cold. Continued exposure to the cold in this condition will eventually lead to hypothermia beyond the limits that our bodies can tolerate.
■ "When you drink wine, warm soup" ... Risk of falling asleep

To prevent a cold after drinking alcohol should be consciously warmed at the bar. It is one of the effective ways to drink warm broth or water at any time while drinking. Also, when you are out drinking, it is best to wear a robe even if you feel fever in your body.

It is absolutely important not to fall asleep outside even if you are overweight. If you fall into a deep sleep while drunk, the sensations of various organs may become more fragile, resulting in frostbite. If you are seriously affected by hypothermia, you may die.

■ "Occurrence of cold disease patients" ... What is the correct treatment?

What if I have symptoms of cold disease, such as hypothermia or bronchi? If a hypothermia patient is unconscious, hurry to call 119 and move to a warm place.

It is also helpful to raise the temperature by raising a container containing hot packs or hot water in the armpits or stomach. If you do not have a tool, it is a good idea to hug someone with normal body temperature.

Patients are best advised to go to the hospital immediately. If you can not go straight, it is helpful to immerse the statues in warm water between 38 and 42 degrees for 20 to 40 minutes. If you touch too hot water, you may get worse.

To reduce pain and swelling, it is safe to keep the area of ​​the statue slightly elevated and move to the area where there is a statue on the foot or leg. Above all, proper drinking instead of excessive drinking will help your health. (Planning and composition: Shim Woo-seop, Jang Aram / Design: Chung Ho Chung)