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Common cold
Does a heat cold fear heat?
Colds are quite common in clinical settings, and from the perspective of Chinese medicine, colds are divided into heat-type colds and cold-type colds. Patients with a heat-type cold do not necessarily feel hot; this type of cold is most common in the summer. The primary symptoms include sore throat and cough, usually with yellow phlegm, runny nose, and nasal congestion, often caused by yellow nasal discharge. Therefore, such patients may not exhibit a clear aversion to cold. Thus, it is appropriate to administer treatments like antiviral and heat-clearing detoxifying medications to address these symptoms, which can provide relief. It is not the case that patients with a heat-type cold will always feel hot. Indeed, if a fever is present, patients with a heat-type cold may even experience feeling cold.
Can I eat watermelon if I have a cold and cough?
When suffering from a cold and cough, it is appropriate to eat some watermelon as it contains a lot of water which can help replenish the fluids the body needs. It also has a soothing effect on the throat. However, be careful not to eat too much because watermelon has a high sugar content. Excessive sugar intake can exacerbate coughing by increasing phlegm. Additionally, watermelon has cooling properties, so consuming too much can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. Patients with weak spleen and stomach, already having frail gastrointestinal systems, may experience discomfort from consuming too much watermelon. It is recommended to eat moderate amounts and maintain a light diet, drink plenty of water, and consume more fruits like apples, pears, or grapefruits which are more suitable. It is crucial to actively cooperate with medical treatment during a cold and cough to alleviate symptoms.
How does a cold caused by wind-cold transform into a cold caused by wind-heat?
During a cold, wind-cold and wind-heat colds can transform into each other. The intertwining of cold and heat is common. Generally, in the treatment of a cold, whether it is a wind-cold or wind-heat, treatment should be symptomatic. As long as you take cold medicine that targets various symptoms, it can alleviate the symptoms. Normally, pay more attention to rest, eat more light fruits, and vegetables, do not overwork, do not stay up late, keep regular meals, and pay attention to adjusting your mindset.
What should I do if I have a cold with headache and fever?
When experiencing symptoms of a cold such as headache and fever, one should first measure their body temperature and adopt corresponding treatment measures based on the severity of the fever. Fever can cause headaches, fatigue, body aches, and may even lead to complications like nausea and vomiting. If the body temperature does not exceed 38℃ (100.4°F), one can take vitamin supplements, drink ginger tea, and use physical methods to reduce fever. If the body temperature is above 38℃ (100.4°F), one may consider taking antipyretic and pain-relieving medications like ibuprofen or aspirin to alleviate symptoms. Generally, once the body temperature returns to normal, headache symptoms will gradually improve or disappear. (The use of medications should be based on specific conditions and under the guidance of a doctor.)
Can you catch a cold during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a normal physiological state for women to nurture a fetus. During pregnancy, factors such as a decrease in immunity, catching a cold, or malnutrition can lead to viral infections, causing symptoms of a cold. Whether a pregnant woman catches a cold mainly depends on her physical constitution, that is, her immune and resistance capacities. Pregnant women with a cold should avoid the indiscriminate and excessive use of medications, especially antibiotics, antiviral drugs, and hormonal products. It is important to drink plenty of water, rest adequately, and if medication is necessary, it should be chosen under the guidance of a doctor. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
What should be paid attention to for a cold caused by wind and cold?
What should we pay attention to when dealing with a common cold caused by external contraction of wind-cold? The first thing is to keep warm and avoid further exposure to wind-cold, which can aggravate the condition. Secondly, diet is also important; eat light and easy-to-digest foods, and avoid spicy, greasy, and hard-to-digest foods that can worsen the condition. Third, it is essential to rest during a wind-cold cold; failing to rest well might worsen the condition, while good rest can alleviate it. If the symptoms of a wind-cold cold are severe, such as heavy nasal congestion, severe chills, or lack of sweat and overall body aches, it is still appropriate to take some medicine. In terms of Chinese medicine, you can take some that expel wind and disperse cold, such as Fang Feng and Qiang Huo to relieve the exterior and disperse cold. You can also use Chai Hu to expel wind and release the exterior, with a common formula used being Jing Fang Bai Du San. Of course, besides taking these Chinese medicines, you can also consult a doctor to prescribe other medications based on different symptoms for treatment.
What to eat when you have a stomach cold and a high fever?
Gastrointestinal flu with high fever requires a diet primarily consisting of soft, easy-to-digest foods. It is also necessary to consume more vegetables and fruits to supplement dietary fiber. Avoid cold, raw, and spicy, irritating foods. It is important to promptly use medications for treatment, such as those that clear heat and dampness, promote qi and release the exterior, dissipate heat and soothe the liver, suppress gastric acid secretion, and protect the gastric mucosa and intestines. For diarrhea, symptomatic antidiarrheal treatment should be used, and keep the abdomen warm. Rest more during this period and avoid excessive fatigue. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician)
Can a baby swim with a cold?
When a baby has a cold, their physical condition is not at its best, which means their physical ability will definitely decline. Under such circumstances, we do not recommend that the baby goes swimming. Swimming can increase physical exertion in the water, and sometimes the water temperature is not properly controlled, which could potentially increase the baby's burden. Especially when there is significant physical exhaustion, and if the water temperature is not well controlled, it may worsen the baby's cold symptoms. Therefore, we advise against swimming in this situation, but you can still give the baby a warm bath. However, make sure the duration is not too long, and the external temperature must also be appropriately managed.
How to regulate a child who often catches a cold?
Children often catch colds due to poor immunity. To improve this situation, it is necessary to enhance their physique. Along with increasing outdoor physical exercises, it is also crucial to ensure sufficient sleep to support normal physical development and boost metabolism. Nutritionally, it's important to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring the intake of high-quality proteins like fish, shrimp, eggs, and milk weekly, and consuming plenty of vegetables and fruits. Additionally, supplementing with trace elements such as calcium, iron, and zinc may be appropriate. In severe cases, oral medications to boost immunity can be taken, but this is not a permanent solution.
Is wind-heat cold contagious?
"Wind-heat cold" is a term used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and diagnosed through TCM methods; from a Western medicine perspective, it could also be a viral infection. Viral colds can be contagious, so sometimes, wind-heat colds may be contagious as well. Therefore, it is necessary to take certain measures to prevent the spread of the disease, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and pregnant women. It's advisable for these groups to avoid contact with individuals who have a wind-heat cold to prevent infection. There is also a need to be cautious of the possibility of bacterial infections in such cases. If the patient has a bacterial infection, active treatment, potentially including antibiotics, may be required.