Today is the 1553 th day of your companion at the pharmacy.
The common cold is a frequent minor illness. Many people think that they can just go to the pharmacy and take some medicine, but this is not the case. The common cold can be classified into Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat types. If the type of cold is not determined, blindly taking medication can worsen the condition. Wind-Cold common cold is a common ailment in our daily lives, with typical symptoms including nasal congestion, runny nose, cough with phlegm, and body aches.Generally, we can seek medical treatment, take medication, or use dietary supplements to improve symptoms.However, some friends may not be very familiar with the symptoms of Wind-Cold common cold and may confuse it with other conditions.Let’s learn about the symptoms of Wind-Cold common cold, professional combination medications, and precautions together with the pharmacy!
[Symptoms of Wind-Cold Common Cold]
1. Occipital Pain
This refers to pain in the back of the head, accompanied by stiffness in neck movement.
2. Aversion to Cold and Wind
Usually, one needs to wear many clothes or cover with a thick quilt to feel comfortable.
3. Sneezing
Clear nasal discharge, white or slightly yellow; nasal congestion with a heavy sound. If nasal congestion does not produce discharge, drinking hot water can trigger a runny nose, which also indicates Wind-Cold common cold.
4. Tongue Coating Symptoms
The tongue may have no coating or a thin white coating.
5. Chills
No fever or mild fever, no sweating, body aches, with Wind-Heat common cold presenting with white, thin phlegm and a thin white tongue coating.
6. Floating Tight Pulse
A floating pulse indicates that Yang Qi is on the surface, easily felt upon light touch.
[Professional Combination Medications]
General Treatment
Use warming and dispersing methods to release the exterior and disperse cold from the lungs. The key to treating Wind-Cold common cold is inducing sweating, known in TCM as warming and releasing the exterior. There are many methods, including sauna, soaking feet in hot water (preferably with some alcohol), covering with a thick quilt, drinking ginger syrup, or ginger porridge.
Western Medicine Treatment
In Western medicine, there is no distinction between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat; often, different symptoms are targeted with combination formulations. Aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen are used for fever and pain relief, while pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine maleate relieve runny nose and sneezing symptoms. Dextromethorphan is used for cough suppression, and amantadine is effective against the influenza virus, particularly type A. One can choose suitable combination formulations based on their symptoms. The notable feature of OTC Western medications for colds is their rapid onset, quickly controlling symptoms, but they may be less effective against viruses, particularly for sore throat relief.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment
For TCM, Wind-Cold common cold can be treated with Ganmao Qingre Granules, Zheng Chaihu Decoction Granules, Ganmao Shufeng Tablets, Wind-Cold Common Cold Granules, and Ginger Jujube Cold-Expelling Granules. Generally, individuals with strong resistance can benefit from these medications.
Combination Medications for Corresponding Symptoms
1. Wind-Cold Common Cold with Cough
Example of combination medication: Wind-Cold Common Cold Granules + Cough Relief Capsules
Reason for combination
Wind-Cold Common Cold Granules release the exterior and induce sweating, dispersing wind and cold, used for Wind-Cold common cold with fever, headache, chills, no sweating, cough, nasal congestion, and clear nasal discharge; Cough Relief Capsules can suppress cough, expel phlegm, and relieve wheezing, used for cold phlegm cough and chronic bronchitis.
2. Wind-Cold Common Cold with Headache
Example of combination medication: Wind-Cold Common Cold Granules + Chuanxiong Chihuo Pills
Reason for combination
Chuanxiong Chihuo Pills clear heat and detoxify, disperse wind and relieve pain, used for exterior wind invasion causing aversion to wind and fever, unilateral or bilateral headache, nasal congestion, and toothache; Wind-Cold Common Cold Granules disperse wind and cold, making this combination suitable for headache due to exterior wind-cold invasion.
3. Wind-Cold Common Cold (Sore Throat, Itchy Throat)
Example of combination medication: Pudilan Anti-Inflammatory Tablets + Ganmao Qingre Granules
Reason for combination
Pudilan Anti-Inflammatory Tablets clear heat and detoxify, anti-inflammatory and reduce swelling, used for boils, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis; Ganmao Qingre Granules disperse wind and cold, release the exterior and clear heat, used for Wind-Cold common cold with headache, fever, chills, body aches, clear nasal discharge, cough, and dry throat.
[Precautions]
1. Take Vitamin C
This can shorten the duration of the cold and alleviate symptoms such as cough and sneezing.
2. Keep Warm
Take hot baths, rest more, and conserve energy for recovery, also to avoid complications.
3. Light Diet
Avoid fatty foods, meats, and dairy products; eat more fresh fruits to reduce bodily stress.
4. Drink More Water
To replenish important fluids lost during the cold and help eliminate harmful impurities.
5. Avoid Smoking
Smoking interferes with the ciliary activity that fights infection.
6. Be Mindful of the Environment
Avoid crowded public places, maintain moderate and regular outdoor exercise to enhance immune function.
Further Learning
1. “Symptoms of Wind-Heat Common Cold, Professional Combination Medications, and Precautions”
2. “Common Misunderstandings in Pediatric Cold and Pneumonia Medications”
3. “Top Ten Life-Threatening Diseases Easily Misdiagnosed as Common Cold”
4. “Correct Cold Medication Choices and Precautions for Diabetic Patients”
5. “Effects and Precautions of Compound Cold Medicine”
6. “Differentiating Symptoms of Viral and Bacterial Colds and Professional Combination Medications”
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