Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a chronic form of acid reflux where stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach, known as the esophagus. This acid backwash causes the familiar burning sensation called heartburn, but some individuals also experience a sudden feeling of coldness or chills. While acid reflux does not directly lower your core body temperature, the intense irritation and systemic responses it provokes can trick your body into feeling chilled. This connection is rooted in the complex network of nerves that link the digestive system to the brain and the body’s overall stress response. Understanding these physiological mechanisms can help clarify why a stomach issue might cause a cold sensation.
The Vagus Nerve and Temperature Perception
The most immediate connection between acid reflux and a sudden cold feeling involves the vagus nerve, which acts as the main communication highway between the gut and the brain. This long cranial nerve regulates many involuntary bodily functions, including heart rate, breathing, and digestion. When stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, the sensitive lining becomes irritated, and the nerve endings send a powerful signal to the brain via the vagus nerve.
The sudden, intense stimulation can trigger a reflex known as a vasovagal response. This reaction is a protective mechanism that can cause a rapid, temporary drop in both heart rate and blood pressure. A sudden decline in these vital signs can lead to symptoms like lightheadedness, dizziness, and a chilled feeling as the body’s circulation briefly shifts. The brain interprets this abrupt physiological change as a shock, leading to the sensation of an internal chill or cold sweat.
Secondary Symptoms That Lead to Feeling Chilly
Beyond the direct vagal reflex, the chronic nature of GERD can lead to secondary physical responses that indirectly result in feeling cold. One significant factor is the body’s fight-or-flight stress response, which is often heightened in people with chronic discomfort from reflux. The anxiety and stress associated with frequent reflux episodes activate the sympathetic nervous system, causing blood vessels to constrict (vasoconstriction). This narrowing redirects blood flow away from the extremities, such as the hands and feet, to prioritize the core organs. This peripheral coldness contributes to a generalized feeling of being chilly, even if the core temperature remains normal.
Moreover, severe acid reflux symptoms, such as intense nausea or gagging, can trigger episodes of sweating. When this perspiration evaporates from the skin, it rapidly cools the body, leaving the person feeling suddenly cold and clammy once the wave of nausea passes. Another indirect cause is the disruption of fluid balance, especially if GERD is severe enough to cause frequent vomiting or if the person avoids drinking fluids. Persistent vomiting or regurgitation of stomach contents can lead to mild dehydration, which disrupts the body’s ability to effectively regulate temperature. When the body lacks sufficient fluid volume, it struggles to maintain the thermal stability required for optimal function, compounding the sensation of coldness.
Recognizing Serious Complications and Other Causes
It is important to differentiate between the transient, vagally-mediated cold sensation and true chills accompanied by a fever, as the latter can signal a serious complication. While GERD itself rarely causes a fever, an infection resulting from a severe reflux event can be very serious. In rare instances, stomach contents can be aspirated into the lungs, leading to a serious respiratory infection like aspiration pneumonia. Chills and a true fever, often alongside difficulty breathing or a persistent cough, are signs of this type of infection and require immediate medical attention.
Persistent cold intolerance that occurs independent of reflux attacks may point toward an underlying medical condition unrelated to the digestive tract. Conditions such as anemia, which reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, or an underactive thyroid gland, known as hypothyroidism, can cause chronic cold hands and feet and a heightened sensitivity to cold. If the sensation of being cold persists despite successful management of acid reflux, or if it is accompanied by other systemic symptoms, a consultation with a healthcare provider is necessary to explore these other potential causes.