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About Common Cold

A cold is an infection that affects the upper respiratory tract - the nose, throat, sinuses (small spaces in the skull behind the eyes and nose), trachea (the main airway that runs to the lungs), larynx (voice box) and bronchial tubes (the airways in the lungs). The symptoms of a cold can include: sneezing, a blocked nose, a runny nose (rhinorrhoea), beginning with clear fluid (mucus) that often becomes a thicker, yellow/green fluid after 2-3 days, sore throat, pain when swallowing, mild fever (a high temperature between 37-38.3�C or 98.6-101.0�F), mild earache, tiredness, headache, and coughing. The symptoms of a cold tend to be worse during the first 2-3 days and then ease over the next few days. Some colds can last up to two weeks.

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Possible Symptoms

*Congested nose and sinuses
*Sore throat, maybe itchy, dry and or painful
*Sneezing
*Excess phlegm and mucus
*Pain or difficluty swallowing
*Mild fever
*Headache
*Mild earache
*Coughing

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Western Medicine View

To relieve the symptoms of a cold, the following self-care advice may be helpful: drink plenty of non alcoholic fluids to keep yourself hydrated - this is especially important for children. Water is best, but warm drinks can be soothing, try to rest and avoid strenuous activity, keep the room at a comfortable temperature, but make sure that fresh air is circulating, a cough medicine may help to soothe a ticklish or dry cough. Over the counter products available from your local pharmacist are often sold as combined remedies for treating a cough and cold. Preparations may contain several ingredients and so you should always follow the manufacturers instructions to make sure you take the best dose for your symptoms,
smoke irritates the nose and throat. Try to avoid being around people who smoke and avoid smoke-filled environments like pubs or clubs. If you are a smoker, try to smoke as little as possible while you are feeling unwell, raising the head of your bed slightly by placing a pillow under the mattress can help reduce coughing at night. Also, steam inhalation, decongestants, antihistamines, paracetomol, ibuprofen or aspirin can relieve cold symptoms.

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Chinese Medicine View

In Chinese medicine influenza can occur as a result of exterior wind, which may manifest as Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, Wind-Damp-Heat or Wind-Dry-Heat. Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat are the most common types. Wind cold impairs the function of the lung and affects the nose, causing nasal obstruction and discharge. Yang is most likely to be damaged this is characterized by symptoms such as chills, fever, anhidrosis, headache, even soreness and pain of the limbs. Also, a white tongue coating and fast pulse. Wind-Heat often attacks the body through the nose and mouth. The lung is involved first. Wind-Heat is yang in nature and characterized by upward and outward dispersion. When a fight goes on between the wind-heat and the body's resistance, fever, slight aversion to wind and sweating result. When wind-heat attacks the head, symptoms like pain and a pressure sensation occur in the head. When it attacks the lung, a cough can develop with yellow, thick sputum. Other symptoms include congestion, sore throat with thirst, a white or yellowish tongue coating, and a rapid pulse.

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Treatment Options

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs. To treat 'Wind cold' acupuncture is used to eliminate 'wind cold' and relieve symptoms. Even movement combined with moxibustion (which involves placing on the skin and igniting a cone or cylinder of moxa) is applied to patients with weakened constitutions. To treat 'Wind heat' acupuncture is used to eliminate wind heat.

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Lifestyle Advice

For personalised advice on diet and lifestyle, please ask the doctor during your consultation. Please be reminded that chinalife offers free health advice. [LINK]

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