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Feb 24, 2025 IST 10:26:53

5 serious health risks of pouring cold water on

Pouring cold water on your head might seem like the coolest thing to do this summer—but think again. That icy splash can seriously mess with your brain, heart, and balance in ways your body is definitely not here for. Your head might not appreciate being treated like a snow cone, and here’s exactly why.

Brain freeze, but worse
That sharp jolt you feel? Not just a quirky reaction. Sudden cold triggers vasoconstriction in your scalp and face, then rebounds into dilation—hello, stabbing headache. It’s like an ice cream brain freeze, but more intense and less fun.

Heart skipping a beat—literally
Your body’s cold shock response spikes your heart rate and blood pressure on impact. If you’ve got heart issues (or even if you don’t), that quick splash can lead to irregular heartbeats or full-on cardiovascular stress. Not cute.

Dizzy drama
Cold water can throw off your inner-ear balance, making you feel dizzy or even faint. It messes with your vestibular system—aka your body’s GPS—and that’s a problem if you’re standing, swimming, or just trying to stay upright.

Nerve pain and numbness
Facial nerves hate being surprised. Cold water can irritate them enough to cause sharp pain or even temporary muscle weakness. If your face feels funny post-splash, it’s not just “refreshed”—it’s stressed.

So, how to stay chill—safely?
Don’t dump ice water on your head like it’s a challenge. Ease into cold exposure, protect your ears, and always warm up gradually. And if you’ve got medical conditions, skip the DIY plunge and talk to your doctor first.

Cool is fine. Safe is cooler.
**This news was published on Times of India on 4th August, 2025.

 

 

 

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