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Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
About me
Hu Baiyu, an internal medicine attending physician, received her bachelor's degree from Kunming Medical College in July 2006. She has trained in cardiovascular medicine, emergency medicine, neurology, and pediatrics at Yunnan Provincial First People's Hospital, Kunming Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, and Qujing Maternal and Child Health Hospital. She is a member of the Qujing Critical Care Medicine Committee.
Proficient in diseases
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of elderly cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as respiratory system diseases.
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Stages of Cold Symptoms
The symptoms of a cold generally fall into three stages. Initially, the symptoms of a cold may be mild or even absent, such as slight sneezing, runny nose, or nasal congestion. In such cases, it is advised to drink plenty of water, promote excretion, and improve immunity, as the early symptoms are often mild or not obvious and hence overlooked. Later, the symptoms of a cold get more severe. During the mid-stage of a cold, symptoms may worsen, including cough, phlegm, sore or swollen throat, or itchy and dry throat. Body temperature may also rise slightly. At this stage, it is recommended to actively follow a doctor's advice and take appropriate anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medication, along with fever-reducing and cough-relieving drugs to alleviate the symptoms. In the later stages of a cold, symptoms may improve, for example, the phlegm may turn yellow and the headaches and fever may subside. Under these conditions, it is sufficient to continue taking medication under a doctor’s guidance for treatment.
Can I eat watermelon if I have a cold and cough?
When suffering from a cold and cough, it is appropriate to eat some watermelon as it contains a lot of water which can help replenish the fluids the body needs. It also has a soothing effect on the throat. However, be careful not to eat too much because watermelon has a high sugar content. Excessive sugar intake can exacerbate coughing by increasing phlegm. Additionally, watermelon has cooling properties, so consuming too much can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. Patients with weak spleen and stomach, already having frail gastrointestinal systems, may experience discomfort from consuming too much watermelon. It is recommended to eat moderate amounts and maintain a light diet, drink plenty of water, and consume more fruits like apples, pears, or grapefruits which are more suitable. It is crucial to actively cooperate with medical treatment during a cold and cough to alleviate symptoms.
Chronic Bronchitis Clinical Characteristics
Chronic bronchitis often presents with symptoms of coughing, which are long-term, recurrent, and progressively worsen. Coughing is a very prominent manifestation of this condition. For mild cases, symptoms typically flare up during the winter and spring seasons, especially noticeable upon waking in the morning, with less coughing during the day. In the summer and fall, the coughing may lessen or disappear. In severe cases, patients may experience coughing throughout the year. It's crucial to take note and, under a doctor's guidance, use corresponding anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications, along with cough suppressants and expectorants to alleviate symptoms. Another characteristic is the presence of phlegm, typically white mucous sputum or serous foamy sputum. It's advised to use expectorants for treatment. During treatment, avoid smoking and alcohol, and maintain a light diet. Additionally, if there are symptoms of asthma or wheezing, it may be necessary to take medications to alleviate these symptoms. (Note: The answer is for reference only; medication should be administered under the guidance of a professional physician and should not be taken blindly.)
How to treat a cold during pregnancy
If you have symptoms of a cold while pregnant, it is advised not to self-medicate blindly. Always consult a physician and use medications that are relatively safer to treat the condition so as to prevent any potential impact on the fetus. This is particularly important during the first three months of pregnancy when the baby's development is still not complete, and indiscriminate use of some medications could possibly cause developmental abnormalities in the baby. It is suggested that everyone should distinguish the type of cold they are experiencing, and then treat and alleviate symptoms through dietary therapy. For instance, for a cold caused by exposure to wind and chill, one might drink some brown sugar ginger tea or have a warm foot bath, both of which can expel the cold from the body, promote blood circulation, and relieve cold symptoms. If it's a cold caused by wind-heat, drinking herbal teas that clear heat and detoxify can be beneficial in alleviating the condition.
What fruits to eat when having a cold?
When you have a cold, you can eat some fruits, such as neutral fruits like peaches, grapes, kiwis, strawberries, and bananas. It is also advised that you eat a reasonable amount of vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins; vegetables such as cucumbers, loofah, small spinach, and lettuce are suitable too. It is also recommended to drink more water to enhance metabolism, improve your immunity, and meet the body's demands for various nutrients through the rich nutritional content in fruits. This helps strengthen the body and speed up recovery from illness. It is also suggested to exercise moderately to enhance physical fitness and immunity, thereby aiding faster recovery from illness. Furthermore, avoid staying up late, assure adequate sleep to enhance immunity.
Nursing measures for acute bronchitis
If you are suffering from acute bronchitis, it is crucial to ensure proper care. First, observe the patient's body temperature to see if it has risen. If the temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, it is time to take some antipyretic medications to reduce the fever. Additionally, employ physical methods to lower the temperature, drink more water, or use fever-reducing patches to achieve a cooling effect. Moreover, it is important to keep the bronchial tubes clear. If there is phlegm, it is best to expectorate it as much as possible to avoid blocking the bronchial tubes. Also, ensure to frequently ventilate the room to maintain fresh and flowing indoor air. Furthermore, allow the patient to rest more and avoid overexertion. Light, soothing aerobic exercise can be beneficial to enhance physical fitness. It is also important to keep warm and avoid exposure to cold and drafts, which could worsen the symptoms of acute bronchitis. Moreover, follow the doctor’s advice, cooperate actively with the treatment, and take medication as prescribed.
What are wind-cold common cold and wind-heat common cold?
Wind-cold colds are primarily caused by exposure to wind and cold air, typically presenting symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, or coughing up white phlegm. Wind-heat colds, on the other hand, are caused by heat and typically manifest symptoms like headaches, fever, coughing up yellow phlegm, and sore, swollen throat. It is advisable to differentiate between these two types of colds. Both wind-cold and wind-heat colds require treatment under a doctor's guidance, using appropriate anti-cold medicine. For wind-cold colds, anti-inflammatory medicines can be used. For wind-heat colds, medicines that clear heat, detoxify, and reduce inflammation can be employed to alleviate symptoms. Regular physical exercise, which strengthens the constitution and enhances resistance, is recommended to help alleviate symptoms of a cold and facilitate recovery.
What to do if you have a cold and inflammation during pregnancy?
If you have inflammation symptoms with a cold, it's likely due to bacterial or viral infection causing the inflammation. It's advisable to take anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications under a doctor's guidance. Before taking any medication, it's best to get a routine blood test to identify the cause of infection and then use the appropriate medications. During pregnancy, the situation is quite special, and it's recommended not to take medications blindly as it may worsen the situation. Therefore, it's important to treat the symptoms accurately. You should also ensure to drink plenty of water, rest adequately, avoid staying up late, and ensure sufficient sleep to boost your immune system. Additionally, if the condition is serious, it's best to be hospitalized for observation and active symptomatic treatment.
People who catch colds easily lack what?
If you find yourself catching colds easily, it usually indicates that your immune system is weak. This could be due to a deficiency in trace elements such as vitamins, calcium, or zinc. It is advisable to get these trace elements tested at a hospital and then supplement accordingly. In daily life, you can also consume foods high in protein, calcium, and vitamin C. For example, you might include eggs, milk, or lean meats in your diet, and it is important to eat fresh fruits and vegetables to boost your vitamin C intake and enhance your resistance to illnesses. Additionally, it is recommended to exercise regularly to strengthen your physique. Exercising also increases metabolism and promotes excretion, which can further enhance your immune system.
What should people with asthma avoid eating?
If you have asthma, it is essential to pay attention to your diet and eat bland foods. Avoid spicy, greasy, cold, and irritating foods such as chili peppers, black pepper, onions, ginger, and garlic. These should be strictly avoided. Also, be cautious with carbonated drinks and alcoholic beverages. Additionally, foods like mangoes or items like shrimp, crabs, seafood, and any allergy-triggering foods should ideally not be consumed. Furthermore, it is advised to identify the underlying cause of asthma and then treat it accordingly. If allergies are causing the asthma, antiallergenic medication should be taken, along with asthma medication to treat and alleviate symptoms. Maintain a light diet, drink plenty of water, promote excretion, and enhance your immune system. Also, avoid coffee, strong tea, alcoholic beverages, fried and grilled foods, and pickled products.