Common cold

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
1min 18sec home-news-image

Can I eat mutton if I have a cold and cough?

It is best not to eat lamb during a cold with coughing, as lamb is a kind of warming and tonifying food. Eating lamb can facilitate the production of phlegm by promoting internal heat, which may worsen the cough. Therefore, during a cold with coughing, it is advisable to avoid lamb and eat a light diet, avoiding spicy, greasy, raw, or irritating foods. However, it is important to note that during the recovery phase from a cold with coughing, it is appropriate to consume some lamb to replenish proteins and calcium, enhance resistance, and facilitate quicker recovery from the illness, so everyone is advised to pay attention to this. Additionally, it is also important to consume it in moderation, not in large quantities at once, as the digestive function is also reduced during a cold with coughing. Eating too much lamb at this time can lead to indigestion and increase the burden on the intestines. At the same time, it is recommended to maintain a light diet, consume more fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins, and improve resistance during a cold with coughing.

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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Symptoms of the common cold

The common cold usually manifests with symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and coughing, often leading to a dry cough without significant phlegm. Additionally, the common cold may also accompany muscle aches, fatigue, and even headaches as general symptoms. Sometimes, patients with the common cold may also exhibit fever, though high fever is relatively rare. Regarding the common cold, the condition generally has a self-limiting nature, and symptomatic treatment usually leads to recovery. However, caution is still needed. Sometimes, the common cold can also coincide with pneumonia, although this is relatively rare. Close observation of the condition is necessary; if cold symptoms persist or are accompanied by high fever and purulent sputum, active investigation should be undertaken.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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What should I do if I have a cold and a runny nose?

Symptoms of a cold with a runny nose do not need to be overly worried about. Clinically, symptomatic treatment is mainly adopted, such as the local use of Ephedrine Nasal Drops, which can relieve the swelling of the nasal mucosa, causing the capillaries to constrict and control the symptoms of a runny nose. You can also choose Chinese patent medicines that open the orifices, such as Huodan Pills, Qianbai Biyan Tablets, Nose Comfort Tablets, etc., or take medicines that inhibit gland secretion, such as Chlorpheniramine Maleate Tablets, Cimetidine Tablets, etc. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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How to clear phlegm for a baby with a cold?

There are several methods to help a baby with a cold expel phlegm, which are as follows: First, you can give the infant some Western or traditional Chinese medicines that help expel phlegm to aid the removal of mucus. Second, gently patting the baby's back can also facilitate the expulsion of phlegm. Third, if possible, using a phlegm suction device can help the baby expel phlegm. Fourth, administering nebulized medications that help expel and remove phlegm can be effective. Lastly, it's important to treat the cause of the baby's cold-related phlegm production. Most colds are caused by respiratory viral infections, so taking antiviral medications can be very effective. If the cold and phlegm persist, be aware of the possibility of a secondary bacterial infection, which, if present, may require antibiotic treatment. (Note: Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
1min home-news-image

Is it good to run when you have a cold and cough?

A cold, also known as an upper respiratory tract infection, typically presents varying clinical symptoms in patients depending on the type of infecting pathogen. Commonly, patients with a cold experience coughs of varying degrees, which may be either dry or productive. Therefore, the choice of medication in clinical treatment often differs according to the nature of the cough. For patients with a cold and cough, if there are no significant fever symptoms, these individuals can usually engage in running. Running effectively enhances bodily immune functions and facilitates early recovery from illness. Consequently, patients with a cold and cough might choose suitable physical activities based on their condition. Persisting in such activities can not only expediate recovery but also help in boosting the immune system. Therefore, running is generally a good option.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
44sec home-news-image

Does cold medicine hurt the stomach?

Cold medicines are harmful to the stomach because the drugs used to treat colds mainly involve symptomatic treatment and the selection of antiviral medications for etiological treatment. Colds often come with symptoms like headaches and fever, thus necessitating the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics. The most common adverse reactions to these drugs are gastrointestinal reactions. Therefore, taking cold medicines can easily harm the stomach, especially in patients with indigestion, chronic gastritis, or gastrointestinal ulcers, who may experience more pronounced symptoms. It is recommended to take cold medicines half an hour after eating to reduce their irritative effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
51sec home-news-image

What should I do if I have a cold, headache, and vomiting?

After catching a cold, various respiratory symptoms can occur, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, sore throat, etc. However, there is also a category of patients who, particularly after a viral cold, may exhibit symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, and even abdominal pain and diarrhea. These patients are referred to as having a "gastrointestinal cold." Like the common cold, a gastrointestinal cold is also caused by respiratory virus infections. Therefore, there are no special medications required for treatment; general over-the-counter cold medicines are sufficient. If there is severe vomiting, some antiemetic medication may be used, and drinking some cola boiled with ginger can also be very effective in treating the headaches and vomiting.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
36sec home-news-image

Can I eat chicken when I have a cold and cough?

During a cold with cough, the diet should be light. If there's no fever or wheezing, it's acceptable to eat some chicken, but not excessively. The focus should be on foods that are light, soft, and rich in vitamins and fiber. Over-nutrition can not only nourish the body but also strengthen the pathogens within, which is not conducive to recovery from the illness. Also, measure body temperature, drink plenty of water, and check for signs of acute infection in the throat or respiratory tract. If there are signs of infection, it is necessary to choose antibiotics for anti-inflammatory treatment.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Can you eat eggs when you have a cold?

A cold, commonly caused by chilling, is characterized by symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, fever, throat itchiness, and coughing. These symptoms often occur when the body's immune function is low, allowing viruses to take the opportunity to invade the respiratory tract. For such patients, we recommend a light diet, avoiding spicy and irritating foods. It’s advisable to eat more foods high in vitamins and proteins daily. Eggs, for instance, are high in protein and also contain nutrients such as lecithin and amino acids, which are needed by the body. Therefore, it is appropriate to eat some eggs when suffering from a cold.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
34sec home-news-image

Types and Symptoms of the Common Cold

The types and symptoms of colds can generally be divided into influenza and the common cold based on their causes, and there are certain differences in their symptoms. Influenza typically occurs during epidemic periods and shows classic symptoms such as sore limbs, fatigue, headache, nausea, and drowsiness. In contrast, the common cold typically features symptoms like clear nasal discharge, watery eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, dry mouth, and sore throat, but lacks the sore limbs symptom seen in influenza.