Hotpot meal turns into hospital visit: 42-year-old woman suffers 8 cm oesophagus injury in China

A normal dinner that usually feels comforting and routine has now turned into a medical reminder that is getting attention online. In China, a recent case linked to eating extremely hot food has raised concern about how something as simple as the temperature on the plate can sometimes lead to serious health problems. What started as an ordinary hotpot meal ended with hospital treatment and a significant internal injury.The case has once again brought focus on everyday food habits that many people follow without thinking twice. A 42-year-old woman from Hunan province in China reportedly faced a health emergency after eating hotpot with friends. According to reports from the South China Morning Post, she consumed food directly from a boiling hotpot without allowing it to cool.Hotpot is generally served at very high temperatures, and in this case, the food was still extremely hot when it was eaten quickly. Soon after finishing her meal, the woman began experiencing a burning sensation in her throat along with chest pain. At first, she assumed it was only a temporary issue and did not take immediate medical action.To ease the discomfort, she drank ice-cold water. However, her condition did not improve. Instead, it reportedly worsened overnight. By the next day, she had difficulty swallowing even water and went to a hospital for treatment.At the hospital, doctors conducted an endoscopy to understand her condition. The examination revealed an ulcer in her oesophagus measuring about 8 cm. Medical experts explained that the oesophagus can typically tolerate temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees Celsius. In comparison, food taken directly from a boiling hotpot can reach around 80 to 90 degrees Celsius, which can cause internal burns and tissue damage.Doctors also noted that drinking very cold water immediately after eating extremely hot food may not always help and can sometimes irritate the affected area further.The incident has also led to conversations online, where people shared personal experiences and opinions about eating very hot food.One user said, “It is true that some people love eating hot food, finding it tastier. I once ate hot tofu, burned my palate, and was in pain for days.”Another user added, “We should change the old mindset that believes the food is best eaten hot.”Thumb image: Canva (for representative purposes only)