The cause of colds and flu

Written by Qiu Xin Hui
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Updated on March 11, 2025
00:00
00:00

Cold and influenza are what traditional Chinese medicine refers to as 'wind-cold common cold.' The main causes are due to a decrease in the body's resistance, exposure to cold wind, and the inability to expel it from the body promptly. This results in a series of symptoms related to the wind-cold common cold, such as nasal congestion, clear nasal discharge, sneezing, sore limbs, chills, and fever. At this time, active treatment should be carried out, and it is appropriate to eat more warm foods or take medicines for conditioning. At home, you can use ginger brown sugar water, drink more hot porridge, and cover with thick blankets to make the body sweat slightly, which can alleviate the symptoms.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
45sec home-news-image

What is chill in the context of cold?

Colds caused by exposure to wind are common, so it's advisable to take some cold medicine or drink herbal teas, such as chrysanthemum tea, to alleviate symptoms. It's important to maintain adequate sleep, avoid excessive stress and overheating. If the cold is severe, it is best to visit a local hospital for symptomatic treatment by a doctor rather than self-medicating blindly. In terms of home environment, it’s recommended to avoid direct exposure to air conditioning or fans. Drinking plenty of lukewarm water and eating nutritious foods, such as lean meats, eggs, beans, and dairy products, can help boost the immune system. It's also wise to consume less spicy and irritating foods.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
1min 2sec home-news-image

What to do if you feel nauseous from a cold during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, if one experiences symptoms such as cold and nausea, it is primarily considered to be a gastrointestinal type of cold. In addition to the common cold symptoms, there may also be some gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, acid reflux, belching, or common issues such as constipation or diarrhea. It is advised to pay attention to this condition. Apart from taking medication for the cold, it is also necessary to take some medicine to regulate the spleen and stomach to treat this condition. During the period of symptom relief, keep the abdomen warm, avoid exposure to cold and drafts, drink more water, promote excretion, and enhance resistance. Additionally, it's important to eat smaller and more frequent meals, not eat too much at once, chew food thoroughly, and avoid overburdening the intestines to prevent indigestion.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
41sec home-news-image

Does wind-cold common cold cause nasal congestion?

Common cases of colds caused by wind-cold often lead to nasal congestion. This is because wind-cold is usually caused by exposure to cold and wind, making symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and excessive phlegm more likely. It is advised that when experiencing a cold due to wind-cold, one should promptly take medication to effectively treat it, which can significantly help improve the symptoms of a wind-cold cold. Drinking more plain water can also help accelerate metabolism in the body and speed up recovery from the cold. (The use of medications should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
47sec home-news-image

What fruits to eat for a stomach cold?

For a cold affecting the gastrointestinal system, it's advisable to consume fruits rich in vitamins, such as pears, watermelons, kale, and kumquats. These fruits can replenish fluids timely and have effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, and enhancing immunity. Additionally, during a gastrointestinal cold, it is important to timely choose medicine that soothes the liver and stomach, and clears heat and dampness for treatment. Other dietary considerations should focus on light foods, eating soft and easy-to-digest foods such as noodle soup, rice soup, porridge, vegetable soup, and drinking plenty of water, while paying attention to balancing work and rest. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
40sec home-news-image

Can I eat sea cucumber when I have a cold?

It is best not to eat sea cucumber during a cold, as it is considered a 'cold' food. Eating sea cucumber while having a cold can easily worsen the condition, and if there is an allergy to seafood, it may trigger an allergic reaction. During a cold, patients can eat some light fruits and vegetables, and it is generally not recommended to eat sea cucumber. During a cold, the body is relatively weak, and gastrointestinal function is not very good. Eating sea cucumber can lead to indigestion, which is not conducive to recovery from the cold. It is necessary to treat the cold with appropriate medication, and sea cucumber can be eaten after recovery.