What cold is nasal congestion?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 18, 2025
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Nasal congestion is the most common clinical symptom of nasal diseases. Various disorders, such as rhinitis, sinusitis, nasal foreign bodies, and even nasal tumors can cause nasal congestion. In terms of colds, clinically it mainly refers to an upper respiratory infection caused by a viral infection. Therefore, nasal congestion alone cannot determine which type of cold it is. The types of colds, in modern medicine, refer to upper respiratory infections. In traditional Chinese medicine, they are divided into colds caused by wind-heat and colds caused by wind-cold. Merely from the symptom of nasal congestion, it is impossible to determine the type of cold. Therefore, in clinical practice, the main focus for treating nasal congestion is symptomatic treatment, which may include the use of medications to constrict the nasal blood vessels and clear the nasal passages. (Please follow the doctor's prescription for medication use.)

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Catching a cold from air conditioning is considered what type of cold?

Due to different seasons, the temperature used for air conditioning also varies. Generally, in hot summers, if the air conditioning temperature is set too low, it can cause colds, which are considered cold-type colds. Clinically, patients with such colds might also experience fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchy throat and dry cough, and even symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and headache due to fever. Therefore, even in hot weather like summer, it is advisable to set the air conditioning temperature to a moderate level to avoid colds. For colds caused by air conditioning, patients should definitely use some medications for symptomatic treatment, as they can usually be cured within about a week.

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Treatment for sore throat caused by a cold

To treat a sore throat from a cold, the main principle is to choose sensitive antibiotics or antiviral medications, in combination with medications that clear the lungs and benefit the throat for symptomatic treatment. One should first observe whether there are hypertrophic lymphoid follicles on the posterior pharyngeal wall, whether the tonsils are hypertrophied and enlarged, and whether there are diseases such as herpetic pharyngotonsillitis. If it is due to an acute exacerbation of chronic pharyngitis, one can choose to take macrolide antibiotics, combined with medications such as throat pills and pharyngitis tablets. Nebulization inhalation can also be adopted, which acts like a local treatment and can have a more direct effect.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
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What should you avoid eating when you have a cold and fever?

There are many foods that should not be consumed during a fever caused by a cold, such as spicy foods including chili peppers, black pepper, mustard, onions, ginger, and garlic. Avoid these items, as well as fried foods, foods high in fat, overly sweet foods, and overly sour foods, for example, fried foods, pork belly, pig head meat, or some candies, creams, cheeses, and pastries. Furthermore, attention should also be given to avoiding carbonated drinks, alcoholic beverages, strong tea, and coffee. The diet should be light with the option to consume things like millet porridge, vegetable porridge, or some freshly squeezed juices to provide vitamins and enhance body resistance, helping to expedite recovery from cold and fever symptoms. During a fever, it is important to monitor body temperature. If it exceeds 38.5°C, fever-reducing medication should be taken; otherwise, physical cooling methods can be sufficient.

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How to regulate a child who often catches a cold?

Children often catch colds due to poor immunity. To improve this situation, it is necessary to enhance their physique. Along with increasing outdoor physical exercises, it is also crucial to ensure sufficient sleep to support normal physical development and boost metabolism. Nutritionally, it's important to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring the intake of high-quality proteins like fish, shrimp, eggs, and milk weekly, and consuming plenty of vegetables and fruits. Additionally, supplementing with trace elements such as calcium, iron, and zinc may be appropriate. In severe cases, oral medications to boost immunity can be taken, but this is not a permanent solution.

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Can I eat mangoes if I have a cold and a stuffy nose?

Colds belong to respiratory system diseases, and the factors causing colds in clinical settings are often due to low immune function in patients. A slight carelessness or getting chilled can lead to the invasion of viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens into the respiratory tract, causing inflammatory lesions. In clinical settings, patients with a cold often experience nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and some also have varying degrees of coughing. For patients with a cold, we recommend that they eat more foods high in vitamins. Especially fresh fruits, such as apples, pears, mangoes, strawberries, kiwis, and even watermelons, can all be appropriately consumed. Therefore, when a patient with a cold has nasal congestion, they can eat mangoes. Because mangoes are very nutritious, containing a variety of vitamins and trace elements needed by the body.