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Common cold
Symptoms of a cold caused by wind-cold
The so-called common cold, which is often referred to as the common cold, is divided from the perspective of Chinese medicine into heat-type colds and cold-type colds. A wind-cold cold refers to the symptoms that occur when a patient is exposed to wind and cold causing viruses or other pathogens to enter the respiratory tract, characterized by fever, headache, runny nose—often clear mucus—along with coughing and an itchy throat. Thus, in clinical practice, for patients with a wind-cold cold, if symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing occur, it is appropriate to use heat-clearing, detoxifying, and antiviral medications according to the patient's symptoms for symptomatic treatment. The discomfort caused by the wind-cold cold can be effectively controlled.
Is scraping effective for colds caused by heat?
Scraping therapy can also be very effective for treating colds associated with heat symptoms, as it primarily stimulates acupoints to help reduce internal heat, achieving effective regulation and improvement. It is also important to pay attention to diet, avoiding foods that are too heating to effectively prevent exacerbating the condition. Scraping therapy mainly adjusts the body by stimulating acupoints, and can significantly improve conditions by scraping acupoints like Kidney Shu and Lung Shu. It is best to avoid alcohol and overly heating foods in your diet.
Symptoms of a cold in children
Children's cold, also known as acute upper respiratory tract infection in children, is the most common disease among children. It mainly refers to the inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, nasopharynx, and pharynx, leading to acute rhinitis, acute pharyngitis, and acute tonsillitis, collectively referred to as such. After catching a cold, children can exhibit local symptoms, primarily manifesting as nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, mild cough, discomfort in the throat, or sore throat. Systemic symptoms may include fever, fatigue, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, which often appears as spasmodic periumbilical pain without tenderness. In infants and young children, local symptoms are not severe, but systemic symptoms are more significant. A general physical examination can reveal congestion in the throat, swelling of the tonsils, and enlargement of the lymph nodes in the jaw and neck area.
How to reduce fever when having a cold?
For treating fever from a cold, clinical practices include several physical cooling methods to alleviate fever symptoms. The simplest method involves using a cool towel or ice pack to compress the forehead. Other methods include wiping the palms, soles of the feet, chest, inner thighs, and inner arms with warm water or alcohol. Soaking feet in Sichuan peppercorn water or drinking more ginger sugar water can also help in physically reducing fever. Additionally, using fever-reducing patches and increasing water intake can promote metabolism.
Is it normal to not catch a cold for a long time?
Not catching a cold for a long time is normal and indicates that the body is healthy with a normal immune function and robust defensive capabilities. In contrast, patients who frequently catch colds and fever generally have low immunity, showing signs of a weak constitution. Such individuals should drink more water and exercise more often. There is no need to worry or take any intervention measures if you do not catch a cold for a long period. Maintain a regular routine, adjust your mindset, avoid exposure to irritating chemicals, keep a positive attitude, avoid staying up late, and have regular health check-ups.
Is wind-cold common cold?
Wind-cold common cold is actually what is referred to as the common cold, primarily caused by exposure to cool air or catching cold. It mostly occurs in autumn and winter, and can easily lead to symptoms like a runny nose, cough, excessive phlegm, and body aches. For treatment, it is recommended to mainly use Western medicine, though Chinese medicine can also be effective. During treatment, the diet should consist mainly of warm foods, drinking more ginger sugar water or brown sugar water, which has the effect of expelling cold.
How long will it take to recover from a cold and cough?
After a cold, symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion often occur, as well as discomfort in the throat and coughing. So, how long does a cold cough last? Generally, the natural course of a cold is about one week. Therefore, from this perspective, a cold-related cough can get better in about a week. However, it is important to rest, avoid getting chilled, drink plenty of water, eat a light diet, quit smoking, and ensure the room is well-ventilated to aid recovery.
Is it okay to drink ginger soup for a cold caused by excessive internal heat?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a cold caused by excessive internal heat is generally considered to occur when the body's resistance is low, and it is exposed to pathogenic wind-heat. At this time, it is necessary to take some pungent and cooling herbs to adjust the body. Ginger or ginger soup is not suitable in this case because its nature tends towards heat, and it has the effect of expelling wind and dispelling cold, which is suitable for colds caused by exposure to cold elements. For a cold caused by excessive internal heat, it is appropriate to drink some honeysuckle and chrysanthemum tea, as this can treat the condition. At the same time, attention should also be paid to diet, which should be as bland as possible, avoiding spicy, dry, irritating, and heat-inducing foods.
How to expel wind for a cold caused by wind-cold
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that wind-cold common colds mainly occur when the body's resistance is lowered and is exposed to wind-cold. If one catches a wind-cold common cold, it is necessary to appropriately take some medicine that expels wind, resolves the exterior, and dispels cold. In daily life, one can use ginger brown sugar water to expel wind and disperse cold. Ginger has the effects of inducing sweat, resolving the exterior, and dispersing cold, while brown sugar warms the middle and boosts yang. Used together, they can treat wind-cold common colds. Additionally, drinking some hot porridge to induce slight sweating can also help expel wind.
What should I do if I have a cold and fever but no medicine?
A cold refers to what we commonly call an acute upper respiratory tract infection. It is mostly caused by viruses and bacteria infecting the upper respiratory tract, resulting in symptoms like coughing up phlegm. For example, symptoms may include sore throat, hoarseness, runny nose, teary eyes, fever, and other symptoms. All of these are referred to as a cold. After a cold, a fever may occur. Generally, if the body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, fever reduction treatment is necessary. If there are no medications available and the body temperature is quite high, drinking warm water, alcohol rubs, or warm water bathing can be used to reduce the temperature. If the body temperature is below 38.5°C, we can try to lower it to normal by drinking water and monitoring the body temperature frequently.