Wind-cold common cold

The common cold is a frequent illness in daily life, yet for the general public, not many people are familiar with the distinction between wind-cold cold and wind-heat cold. Although both are colds, the causes and treatments of these two types are completely different. Blindly taking medication will only lead to half the result with twice the effort. Wind-cold cold is caused by the external invasion of wind-cold pathogens and the failure of lung qi to disperse. It is what we commonly refer to as a cold from catching a chill, namely a series of discomfort symptoms caused by external wind-cold disrupting the function of the lung and defensive system. The so-called cold-type cold refers to symptoms that occur after exposure to cold, including generalized body aches or tightness, elevated body temperature, but pronounced aversion to cold, clear nasal discharge, no dry mouth, no sore throat or only mild sore throat, thin white phlegm, stomach pain or bloating that occurs or worsens with cold exposure, and loose watery stools. It occurs more frequently in autumn and winter, with symptoms including generalized body aches, nasal congestion, and runny nose; wind-heat cold presents with phlegm. In terms of treatment, both Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine can be used, and dietary therapy is also an option, which not only treats the illness but also promotes health. Preventive measures include keeping warm, strengthening physical exercise, improving immunity, and receiving preventive vaccinations in advance.