What should you not eat when you have a cold and nasal congestion?

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on January 09, 2025
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Colds are very common in clinical settings, often due to a patient's lowered immune function. Patients may inadvertently come into contact with viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens, leading to symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever, and cough. For patients experiencing nasal congestion from a cold, it is advised to avoid spicy and irritating foods such as chili peppers, raw onions, and raw garlic. Additionally, they should not consume cold or cooling foods and should avoid smoking and drinking alcohol to prevent exacerbating the symptoms of the cold. Therefore, during a cold, it is advisable to avoid seeking cool environments and to not set the air conditioning too low to prevent getting chilled again.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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What is the temperature of a fever caused by a cold?

Colds are very common clinically, and due to different types of colds, patients exhibit varying clinical symptoms. Typically, febrile colds often occur in the summer. The specific fever temperature varies from person to person. Some patients with febrile colds may not develop a fever at all, while others may experience high fevers accompanied by symptoms like chills and other clinical discomforts. Therefore, the specific temperature of a febrile cold is determined by each patient's individual condition. In cases where the resistance is relatively good, it is common for some patients to have a mild infection and not develop a fever, while others might have a fever around 39°C or even higher.

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Nephrology
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Why can't people with polycystic kidney disease catch a cold?

Polycystic kidney disease is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease. As the patient's age increases, the cysts of polycystic kidney will gradually enlarge, and the risk of renal function abnormalities and related complications will increase. If the patient catches a cold, it will exacerbate the abnormality of kidney function. Furthermore, the use of some antiviral and antibacterial drugs metabolized through the kidneys can also increase the burden on the kidneys, further causing damage to them. Therefore, patients with polycystic kidney disease should try to avoid colds, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and other related infectious diseases.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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What to do if you have a cold and a headache?

If you have a headache with a cold, it might be due to a viral infection, and you should go to the hospital for a routine blood test to identify the source of the infection. Then, take the corresponding anti-infection medication to treat and alleviate the symptoms. Also, you should pay attention to eating light, drinking more water, promoting excretion, and enhancing your immune system. Avoid eating spicy, greasy, and cold irritating foods. If the headache is severe, you may need to take some painkillers to relieve the symptoms. Additionally, symptomatic treatment should be applied; apart from the headache, you should check if there is any fever. Once the temperature exceeds 38.5°C, you should take some antipyretic drugs for treatment. Also, pay attention to using physical cooling methods, drinking more water, and avoiding spicy, greasy, and cold irritating foods. It is advised to follow the doctor’s guidance closely and cooperate actively with the doctor to alleviate the symptoms.

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Written by Zhang Yin Xing
Obstetrics
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What should I do if I catch a cold during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, if a cold occurs, it should be analyzed based on the duration and type of the cold. Colds are generally categorized into common colds and influenza. Common colds are self-limiting, and typically heal on their own within 7 to 14 days without the need for medication. Influenza can be accompanied by high fever, and severe cases can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, thus requiring early detection and treatment. If the cold occurs within two weeks after ovulation and does not lead to miscarriage, the pregnancy can usually continue, and there will generally be no long-term impact on fetal development. However, if a cold occurs between the first to third month of pregnancy, during the period of fetal organ differentiation, it might lead to abnormal fetal development. Additional examinations would be necessary during the mid-term of the pregnancy. Colds that occur after the third month of pregnancy typically have a minor impact on the fetus, and usually do not require special treatment.

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Is scraping effective for colds caused by heat?

Scraping therapy can also be very effective for treating colds associated with heat symptoms, as it primarily stimulates acupoints to help reduce internal heat, achieving effective regulation and improvement. It is also important to pay attention to diet, avoiding foods that are too heating to effectively prevent exacerbating the condition. Scraping therapy mainly adjusts the body by stimulating acupoints, and can significantly improve conditions by scraping acupoints like Kidney Shu and Lung Shu. It is best to avoid alcohol and overly heating foods in your diet.