How to treat a cold caused by exposure to cold?

Written by Qiu Xin Hui
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Updated on January 17, 2025
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In traditional Chinese medicine, the common cold due to exposure to cold, also known as "wind-cold cold," is primarily caused by a decrease in the body's resistance, leading to the invasion of wind and cold. If the wind-cold is not expelled in time, symptoms such as nasal congestion, clear nasal discharge, sneezing, headache, and chills may arise. At this point, consuming warm and heating foods can help dispel the wind and cold, and relieve the body surface. One can drink ginger brown sugar water, as ginger effectively warms the middle, dispels cold, and expels wind, while brown sugar can enhance the body's resistance. Drinking it while it's hot causes the body to slightly heat up and sweat, which can quickly alleviate the symptoms of the cold due to exposure. (Please consult a professional physician before using any medication, and do not self-medicate.)

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How to treat a viral cold

How to treat viral colds depends on whether it is an epidemic flu or a common cold. If it is just a common viral cold, special treatment is generally not needed. Pay attention to rest, ensure sufficient good sleep and appropriate indoor temperature and humidity. By drinking more boiled water and eating more vegetables, you can naturally recover. If it is epidemic flu, you can choose to take antipyretic analgesics and antiviral drugs to relieve symptoms. You can take Qingkailing, combined with acetaminophen, vitamin C, Yinqiao tablets, and other medications. Note: Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

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What are wind-cold common cold and wind-heat common cold?

Wind-cold colds are primarily caused by exposure to wind and cold air, typically presenting symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, or coughing up white phlegm. Wind-heat colds, on the other hand, are caused by heat and typically manifest symptoms like headaches, fever, coughing up yellow phlegm, and sore, swollen throat. It is advisable to differentiate between these two types of colds. Both wind-cold and wind-heat colds require treatment under a doctor's guidance, using appropriate anti-cold medicine. For wind-cold colds, anti-inflammatory medicines can be used. For wind-heat colds, medicines that clear heat, detoxify, and reduce inflammation can be employed to alleviate symptoms. Regular physical exercise, which strengthens the constitution and enhances resistance, is recommended to help alleviate symptoms of a cold and facilitate recovery.

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What is the difference between viral cold and wind-heat cold?

The distinction between viral influenza and wind-heat cold is mainly the different naming conventions used by two different medical systems for the common cold. Viral influenza is a term used in modern medicine to describe a viral infection. In contrast, wind-heat cold is a term used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for a type of cold that occurs after being affected by a pathogenic heat. These two terms are completely different. The pathogen of viral influenza is primarily caused by a viral infection. On the other hand, wind-heat cold is diagnosed based on symptoms, suggesting that the individual might have been affected by pathogenic heat, or has internal heat, leading to the condition. Therefore, generally, viral influenza is not treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Wind-heat cold, conversely, is not treated with Western medicine. So, if diagnosed with viral influenza, one would typically take some antiviral medications along with Western cold medicines. If diagnosed with wind-heat cold by a TCM practitioner, some appropriate heat-clearing and detoxifying Chinese medicines would be prescribed. These represent two distinct medical systems with their unique diagnostic labels for the illness.

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What kind of cold is it when you have a sore throat?

Sore throat leading to colds in patients is most commonly caused by viral infections due to staying up late, fatigue, and decreased resistance. Common viruses include rhinovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, and Coxsackie virus. When patients experience a sore throat, symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, fever, and nasal itchiness often accompany it. Diagnosis can be confirmed through tests such as routine blood tests, electronic nasendoscopy, and C-reactive protein tests. Under the guidance of a specialist, antiviral medications are used for symptomatic treatment. Patients in competitions may use medications that clear the orifices to improve symptoms. It is important to stay warm, avoid getting cold, and enhance one's immune system.

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Is kidney qi deficiency prone to colds?

Patients with insufficient kidney qi are more likely to catch colds. This is because a deficiency in kidney qi can affect vitality, leading to slower bodily functions. Insufficient nurturing of vitality results in lethargy, lack of sleep, and reduced memory, thereby increasing the susceptibility to colds. This is especially true for male patients, where severe deficiency in kidney qi can lead to symptoms such as impotence and premature ejaculation. Additionally, it leads to lower bodily resistance and insufficient yang qi, as well as cold aversion, thus timely treatment is essential.