Is nasal congestion the same as having a cold?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on October 21, 2024
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Nasal congestion is not necessarily a cold. Cold medicine has many symptoms, with nasal congestion being one of them. However, there could be more reasons for nasal congestion. A cold is just one factor causing nasal congestion. Other reasons might include chronic rhinitis, acute rhinitis, sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, and nasal polyps. Often, these conditions are primarily due to pathological changes in the nose itself. Therefore, it is recommended to visit an otolaryngology clinic, particularly for persistent nasal congestion, and consider undergoing a nasopharyngoscopy. If needed, a sinus CT may also be considered, along with symptom assessment and additional diagnostic tests, to make a more comprehensive and accurate evaluation.

Other Voices

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Can you eat watermelon at the beginning of a cold?

Colds can be categorized into many types, such as from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, into cold-induced colds and heat-induced colds. Cold-induced colds generally occur in winter. At the onset of such colds, it is usually not recommended to consume watermelon. This is because watermelon itself is considered a "cold" fruit, and conditions like cold-induced colds are often caused by exposure to cold winds leading to symptoms like nasal congestion and runny nose. Consuming watermelon at the onset of a cold-induced cold might worsen upper respiratory tract symptoms. On the other hand, heat-induced colds often occur in summer and are marked by symptoms such as sore throat, varying degrees of fever, and cough. In these cases, it is appropriate to eat some watermelon. Watermelon is nutritionally valuable and has cooling and heat-relief effects. Thus, for patients suffering from an upper respiratory tract heat-induced cold in the summer, consuming watermelon is suitable.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Can you drink chicken soup when you have a cold?

Chicken soup is nutritious and delicious, and many people like to drink it. So, can you still drink chicken soup after catching a cold? If the symptoms of the cold are mild and there are no significant systemic symptoms such as fever, nausea, or loss of appetite, it is okay to drink chicken soup. However, it is generally advised to drink less and keep it light. Additionally, if the cold symptoms are severe, such as significant fever, reduced appetite, or if it is a gastrointestinal cold with clear abdominal discomfort, it is not recommended to drink chicken soup.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Differences between air conditioning cold and common cold

Using air conditioning set too low, or staying in an air-conditioned room for a long time, can easily cause a cold due to the lack of air circulation. When a person's immune function is low, it is easy for viruses or bacteria to invade the respiratory tract, causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, fever, headache, and dizziness. In the case of a common cold, it might be a heat-type cold or it could be a cold-type cold. Common colds are usually caused by viral infections of the respiratory tract, leading to clinical symptoms of discomfort. On the other hand, air conditioning colds often occur due to the air conditioning being set too cold, leading to cold-induced symptoms. Thus, there is a distinct difference between air conditioning colds and common colds, with the systemic symptoms caused by air conditioning colds being relatively more severe.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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Symptoms of cold include weakness in the limbs.

If you experience weakness in your limbs during a cold, it is important to consider that this may be caused by the invasion of bacteria or viruses, leading to muscle soreness and weakness. There may also be accompanying symptoms such as mild fever, chills, or fatigue. It is advised to pay attention to these signs and visit a hospital for a routine blood test to identify the cause of infection. Subsequently, take the appropriate anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications to treat and alleviate symptoms. During this period, it is crucial to rest adequately, avoid overexertion, maintain a positive mood without too much stress, avoid staying up late, and cooperate actively with medical treatment to ease symptoms. If you notice an increase in body temperature, you should use physical cooling methods or take fever-reducing medication to lower your temperature.

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Written by Li Xiao Lin
Emergency Department
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Does having a low body temperature make it easier to catch a cold?

Patients with low body temperature are prone to catching colds. These patients generally exhibit physical weakness and poor resistance, making them more susceptible to other diseases. Therefore, patients with low body temperature should first go to a hospital for further related examinations, such as blood routine tests, liver and kidney function tests, thyroid function tests, adrenal cortex function, and urinalysis. Once the condition is diagnosed, appropriate measures should be taken based on the results to alleviate the condition. Also, for those with a physically weak constitution and low body temperature, it is important to strengthen exercise, enhance nutrition, and improve physical fitness in order to reduce the occurrence of illnesses.