Do you need to take medicine for a cold with nasal congestion?

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on November 13, 2024
00:00
00:00

Nasal congestion due to a cold is very common in clinical practice. The need for medication depends on the type of cold and the patient's own immune function. If the patient has a cold caused by a viral infection and the symptoms are not severe, or if the patient generally likes to exercise and is young, a mild cold may not require medication and can heal on its own within about a week. For children or elderly individuals with weaker resistance, when an upper respiratory infection occurs, it is advisable to administer some medication for symptomatic treatment to prevent the condition from worsening and to avoid unnecessary complications.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
1min 21sec home-news-image

Where to press for a headache from a cold?

When we have a cold and experience headaches from wind-cold, we can alleviate some clinical symptoms through massage, targeting specific areas. The selection of massage points varies depending on the patient's pain location and clinical symptoms. For example, if the pain is in the yangming meridian, which typically presents with forehead pain, common points for massage would include Yintang, Shangxing, and Yangbai. For headaches in the taiyang meridian, points such as Tianzhu, Fengchi, Houxi, and Shenmai are chosen. If the headache encompasses the entire head, points like Baihui, Yintang, Taiyang, Touwei, Yangbai, Hegu, and Fengchi can be massaged. Clinically, it's essential to differentiate based on the different headache locations and symptoms to select the appropriate acupuncture points for massage. Additionally, if the headache is caused by external pathogenic factors, points like Fengchi and Fengmen can be differentiated, and adding moxibustion at Dazhui can also help alleviate symptoms of headache due to a cold.

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

How to relieve a cold with headache and nausea

Colds accompanied by headache and nausea that prompts a feeling of wanting to vomit can be symptoms caused by a gastrointestinal type of cold, leading to dizziness, headache, nausea, and other discomforts. At this time, one can take some anti-cold medications combined with medications that aid digestion and alleviate symptoms. It is also necessary to take medicines that regulate the stomach and intestines for treatment. Make sure to eat smaller meals more frequently and not to eat too much at one time. Additionally, under the guidance of a doctor, one can take some antiemetic drugs to relieve nausea and the urge to vomit. It's beneficial to consume more liquid or soft foods, such as millet porridge, soft noodles, or vegetable soup. Moreover, it's important to eat slowly and chew thoroughly to fully digest the food and avoid overburdening the intestines and causing symptoms of indigestion.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
58sec home-news-image

What is the difference between a stomach cold and a common cold?

Gastrointestinal flu and common cold have certain differences. The so-called gastrointestinal flu, clinically, often involves some viruses infecting the respiratory tract, which causes patients to have not only upper respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, fever, and throat itchiness. These patients will also experience gastrointestinal discomforts like nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, diarrhea, and a decrease in appetite. These symptoms indicate gastrointestinal flu. On the other hand, patients with a common cold typically exhibit only upper respiratory symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, fever, throat itchiness, and coughing. Generally, a common cold does not accompany symptoms like abdominal distension, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
51sec home-news-image

What department should I go to for a baby's cold?

Infant colds are diseases caused by respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infections, and onset is usually sudden. The registration for a doctor's visit may vary depending on the timing. If it's during normal working hours, then a visit to the pediatric outpatient clinic is usually sufficient. However, if it's during off hours, such as at noon, evening, weekends, or public holidays, then a visit to the pediatric emergency department is generally required. Additionally, depending on the symptoms accompanying the cold, a sub-specialty within pediatrics can be chosen. For instance, if the infant cold includes significant respiratory symptoms, then a visit to the pediatric respiratory medicine outpatient clinic is appropriate. If the cold comes with gastrointestinal symptoms, then the pediatric gastroenterology outpatient clinic is suitable.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Peng
Pulmonology
48sec home-news-image

Why do I catch a cold again after just getting over one?

Repeated colds indicate that the body has weak immunity, making it susceptible to repeated infections by cold viruses, leading to symptoms of a cold. Therefore, it is important to regularly exercise, get more sunlight, balance work and rest, and develop good living habits. Avoid smoking, alcohol, and staying up late; ensure sufficient sleep to allow the body to recover. Eat fresh vegetables and fruits and consume more protein-rich foods, such as milk, beef, and lean meats, to enhance the body's resistance. It is crucial to keep warm, especially during weather changes, to avoid catching cold. Adjust your clothing accordingly and try to avoid crowded places during the cold season. If you must visit these places, it is advisable to wear a mask.