Today marks the 3252nd day of HanKang Medicine accompanying you.
Common colds are frequent minor illnesses. Many people think that they can just go to the pharmacy and take some medicine, but this is not the case. Colds can be classified into Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat. If the type of cold is not determined, blindly taking medication can worsen the condition. Wind-Cold common cold is a common ailment in daily life, with typical symptoms including nasal congestion, runny nose, cough with phlegm, and body aches.Generally, we can seek medical treatment, take medication, or improve symptoms through dietary supplements.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 HanKang Medicine!
[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 lead to a runny nose, drinking hot water will cause clear nasal discharge to start, 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, and in Wind-Heat common cold, the phlegm is white and thin, with a thin white tongue coating.
6. Pulse is floating and tight
A floating pulse indicates that Yang Qi is on the surface, easily felt with light pressure.
[Professional Combination Medications]
General Treatment
Warm and acrid herbs to release the exterior and disperse cold. The key to treating Wind-Cold common cold is to induce sweating, known in TCM as warm and acrid release of 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 cold viruses, particularly type A influenza virus. 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 use these medications effectively.
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, 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 Chaotong Pills
Reason for combination
Chuanxiong Chaotong 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, 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, and eat more fresh fruits to reduce bodily stress.
4. Drink plenty of 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, and maintain moderate and regular outdoor exercise to enhance immune function.
