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Common cold
Do cold medicines harm the kidneys?
Currently, for cold medicines, they can be divided into Western medicine and Chinese patent medicine available on the market. In Western medicine, most contain a compound called acetaminophen. Whether these medicines cause kidney damage mainly depends on the individual's kidney health condition. For elderly people or patients with conditions like hypertension or diabetes, medicines containing acetaminophen can cause kidney damage. However, it is generally not the case with young people. As for Chinese patent medicine, the ingredients in most of these cold remedies are not metabolized through the kidneys, and generally do not harm the kidneys. Thus, for older individuals or patients with poor kidney health, it is best to choose Chinese patent medicine for treating a cold. (Please take medications under the guidance of a professional physician.)
What fruits should not be eaten when having a cold?
Theoretically, most fruits can be consumed during a cold, as there is no necessary connection between having a cold and consuming any specific fruit. Eating fruits will not exacerbate the clinical symptoms of a cold nor affect its outcome. Since a cold is a self-limiting disease caused by a viral infection, it might present with symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. Moreover, most fruits contain an abundance of water and vitamins, which provide beneficial replenishments for the losses caused by the cold. However, if it is a gastroenteric type of cold, it is generally advisable to avoid raw and cold fruits, such as those high in amino acids or those that can easily cause diarrhea, common examples being grapes and bananas.
Distinguishing between implantation cold and common cold
The common implantation cold is usually caused by the decrease in immunity triggered by the implantation of the fertilized egg, leading to symptoms of a cold. If a woman's immunity is normal, the frequency of catching a cold during this period is very low. The colds we often talk about can be divided into the common cold and the flu, which should be correctly recognized as having different symptoms. The common cold mainly manifests as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, tearing, and dry mouth, while the flu primarily shows as muscle soreness in the limbs, fatigue, etc.
Can Banlangen treat a cold?
Banlangen belongs to the category of Chinese medicine. From the perspective of Chinese medicine, Banlangen has certain effects on treating the common cold, meaning it can be used to treat colds. For example, Banlan根 is most commonly used to treat colds, mainly treating wind-heat type colds, and its effectiveness for colds due to wind-cold or summer dampness is relatively poor or non-existent. However, from the perspective of modern medicine, the common cold is often caused by viral infections of the respiratory system, classified as acute upper respiratory infection, which can cause symptoms such as fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. Therefore, a combination of medications is used to improve the clinical symptoms of a cold. Common medications include compound paracetamol and amantadine, Mameimin tablets, etc. Banlangen is generally not used for treatment. (Please follow medical advice when using medication.)
Can babies with colds eat eggs?
When infants catch a cold, it is mostly due to a viral infection, which reduces their intestinal digestive function and increases their intestinal sensitivity. Therefore, it is not advisable for them to eat eggs during this time. Firstly, eggs are one of the most common allergens for children, and their sensitivity increases during a cold, possibly triggering allergic symptoms in babies, including gastrointestinal symptoms, exacerbation of skin symptoms, and even respiratory symptoms. Secondly, eggs contain a relatively high amount of fat, which, if consumed during a cold, might cause the baby to experience vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Therefore, there is a certain risk involved, and caution is necessary.
What should a pregnant woman do if she has a cold and feels excessive internal heat?
What should pregnant women do after catching a cold and feeling excessive internal heat? Since it is inconvenient for pregnant women to take medicine, they should try to relieve the symptoms by drinking more water and urinating more. In addition to drinking plain water, pear juice can be consumed by boiling pears with some rock sugar, which can effectively alleviate the symptoms of excessive internal heat. Additionally, mung bean soup with some rock sugar can also be a good beverage to reduce internal heat. If these treatments are not effective, it is important to seek medical attention promptly.
How to treat a baby's cold in the early stages?
What are the symptoms at the onset of a cold? Generally, at the initial stage of a cold, we definitely experience symptoms such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, low-grade fever, and slight coughing. If it's just a runny nose and nasal congestion, in this case, we can take some antiviral medications, some proprietary Chinese medicines, and also provide some acetaminophen chlorpheniramine granules to relieve these symptoms of runny nose and nasal congestion. If there is a cough, appropriate cough suppressant medication can be taken orally. At the same time, pay attention to body temperature; if there is a fever, fever reduction measures should be taken. If it is a low-grade fever, physical cooling should be the main approach. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, oral ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be administered. Also, pay attention to the child's mental response and other conditions.
Which department should I visit for a cold and cough?
For symptoms of cold and cough, it is necessary to visit the general internal medicine department of the hospital. If further examination and treatment are needed, the specialized department for this is respiratory medicine. The majority of these symptoms are due to swelling of the mucous membrane in the throat area, such as pharyngitis and tonsillitis, but it is also possible that they are caused by bronchitis or bronchopneumonia, etc. It is necessary to perform tests including a complete blood count, C-reactive protein, mycoplasma, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and a chest X-ray. Diagnosis should be made in conjunction with clinical symptoms. During the acute phase, it is necessary to choose sensitive antibiotics and medications that can alleviate bronchial smooth muscle spasms and dilute sputum for symptomatic treatment.
Can you swim with a mild cold?
Mild colds in clinical settings, like in patients whose symptoms are not very severe and who do not have a fever, allow for activities like swimming during summer, especially for those suffering from heat-related colds. However, in winter, even with a mild cold, it's advisable not to swim due to the relatively lower temperature of the water in pools compared to normal temperatures. Instead, choosing other forms of exercise to boost the immune system is recommended during the cold winter months. Therefore, for patients with mild colds, it’s also important to assess the type of cold to decide whether swimming is appropriate.
How to reduce a fever for children with a cold
If a child with a cold and fever has a body temperature not exceeding 38℃, you can use warm water to wipe the child's armpits, abdomen, and groin to physically reduce the fever. Additionally, you can apply fever-reducing patches to the child and ensure timely hydration. Since children with fever can easily become dehydrated, it is important to replenish their fluids promptly, provide vitamins, and ensure they eat fresh vegetables and fruits. If the child's body temperature exceeds 38℃, it is necessary to administer fever-reducing medication timely. If the child shows signs of poor mental state or recurrent fever, it is crucial to bring the child to the hospital for a complete blood count to further diagnose and treat the condition.