Why ice bucket challenge may be bad for you

Dubai: A sweeping global fund-raising movement may be raising a lot of money for charity.

But it could, in limited circumstances, be harmful to the health of people with underlying medical conditions, say health experts in the UAE.

Following the recent death of UK teenager Cameron Lancaster linked to his taking the challenge, some are also questioning the health risks involved.

While it has raised approximately $70 million (Dh257.12 million) for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the challenge could be harmful for some fundraisers whose bodies may not welcome the shock of cold icy water.

"It cannot actually kill a person but it is not advisable as the body goes into a cold shock response,” says Dr Sonia Gupte, GP at the Icare Clinics, Dubai.

Dr Gupte elaborated on how our physiology responds to it: “The cold shock response is the body’s reflex reaction to a sudden change in temperature. The human body’s normal temperature is about 37C or 98.6F. When the nerves sense the extreme cold and send a message to the brain, it goes into survival mode. Therefore, the blood supply is reduced, muscles contract, heart rate goes up as more oxygen is pumped into the blood and the affected person gasps for air. While healthy people are able to acclimatise to the sudden change, those with chronic illnesses or heart conditions must avoid pouring ice water on themselves. It is specially contraindicated in cases of individuals suffering from uncontrolled high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia as their body is unable to adapt to the cold shock. However, this is not as bad as being submerged in cold water which can be much more dangerous.”