What should you not eat when you have a cold and nasal congestion?

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on January 09, 2025
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Colds are very common in clinical settings, often due to a patient's lowered immune function. Patients may inadvertently come into contact with viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens, leading to symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever, and cough. For patients experiencing nasal congestion from a cold, it is advised to avoid spicy and irritating foods such as chili peppers, raw onions, and raw garlic. Additionally, they should not consume cold or cooling foods and should avoid smoking and drinking alcohol to prevent exacerbating the symptoms of the cold. Therefore, during a cold, it is advisable to avoid seeking cool environments and to not set the air conditioning too low to prevent getting chilled again.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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Methods to stop coughing from a cold

During a cold, if you have symptoms of a cough, then it is appropriate to drink some rock sugar and pear water at this time. Pears have the effect of moistening the lungs, stopping coughs, and transforming phlegm, which can alleviate some symptoms of a cold cough. At the same time, it is also necessary to take some corresponding sensitive antibiotics to fight the infection for better treatment effects. Additionally, you can take some cough and phlegm relief medication to ease the symptoms. It is also important to note that the diet should include more fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C to supplement vitamins, which can enhance one’s resistance and also alleviate some symptoms of a cold. It is advised that during the coughing period, one should rest more, avoid over-exertion, and also refrain from heavy physical labor, engage in moderate exercise, and avoid intense physical activities. Intense exercise can potentially reduce resistance, worsening the symptoms of a cold, and this should be noted.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How is a cold transmitted?

Colds are primarily transmitted through airborne droplets, as well as close contact with patients, shared utensils, and other means of transmission. This disease itself is a respiratory infection caused by viral infections, leading to symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, headache, fever, sore throat, and cough. However, it is self-limiting, so there is no need for concern. Once sick, drink plenty of water, rest, treat symptoms accordingly, and prevent complications. To prevent colds, strengthen protection, avoid going out during the flu season, exercise regularly, and boost immunity.

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Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
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What department should I go to for a baby's cold?

Infant colds are diseases caused by respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infections, and onset is usually sudden. The registration for a doctor's visit may vary depending on the timing. If it's during normal working hours, then a visit to the pediatric outpatient clinic is usually sufficient. However, if it's during off hours, such as at noon, evening, weekends, or public holidays, then a visit to the pediatric emergency department is generally required. Additionally, depending on the symptoms accompanying the cold, a sub-specialty within pediatrics can be chosen. For instance, if the infant cold includes significant respiratory symptoms, then a visit to the pediatric respiratory medicine outpatient clinic is appropriate. If the cold comes with gastrointestinal symptoms, then the pediatric gastroenterology outpatient clinic is suitable.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Is a simple cough a cold?

Simple cough is also very common in clinical practice, and there are many complicated factors that can trigger simple cough, so it is not necessarily a cold. Of course, patients with a cold can also have a simple cough, which can also be seen in chronic pharyngitis, cough variant asthma, allergic cough, etc. Therefore, a clear diagnosis of simple cough requires timely correlation with the patient's history and other clinical symptoms, as well as relevant auxiliary examinations. Commonly, colds are mostly viral infections. If it is uncertain whether the simple cough is caused by a cold, one can check if the lymphocytes are elevated through blood tests, and if the white blood cells and C-reactive protein are normal, through some auxiliary examinations, then it can be determined whether the simple cough is due to a cold.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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How many days does it take to recover from a cold caused by wind-cold?

Patients with a common cold due to wind-cold usually improve within about 3 to 7 days under normal conditions. The most severe period is the first 1 to 2 days, during which symptoms such as severe coughing and a runny nose are more pronounced. It is recommended to always pay attention to keeping warm and avoid getting chilled to prevent worsening the condition. If the cold is severe, it is crucial to go to a formal hospital in time and treat the symptoms based on the doctor's guidance. Additionally, one can use some anti-inflammatory and wind-cold fighting medicines for effective treatment, which can help improve the cold and hasten the healing process.