Is cold with yellow phlegm caused by a wind-cold cold or a heat cold?

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on December 30, 2024
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Cold with yellow phlegm is generally classified as a wind-heat cold in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Colds are categorized based on the different pathogenic factors involved: wind-cold colds and wind-heat colds. A wind-cold cold is primarily caused by exposure to pathogenic wind-cold, characterized mainly by coughing up white phlegm, feeling chilly but not hot, and a reluctance to drink water. On the other hand, a wind-heat cold follows exposure to external wind-heat pathogens. Its symptoms include feeling hot instead of cold, coughing, yellow phlegm, yellow nasal discharge, sweating, irritability, and constipation. Therefore, the presence of yellow phlegm typically indicates a wind-heat cold. There are many medicinal treatments for wind-heat colds, particularly those that clear heat and detoxify the body, all of which can be used to treat a wind-heat cold.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Symptoms of excessive internal heat and cold

The symptoms of a heat-induced cold are numerous. Initially, one may experience a bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, and ringing in the ears. It is likely to be accompanied by insomnia, frequent dreaming, and restlessness. In severe cases, symptoms may include nasal congestion, runny nose, chills, and aversion to cold. Thus, if one experiences a heat-induced cold, it is crucial to manage and treat it promptly to prevent exacerbation of the condition. Ordinarily, one can take heat-reducing medications, or consume more fresh fruits and vegetables, which can effectively help improve symptoms. It is also important to drink plenty of water, urinate frequently, and avoid staying up late.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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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.)

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Written by Guo Xiao Yun
Pulmonology
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Is a sore throat caused by a cold with wind-cold or a cold with wind-heat?

Sore throat may be caused by a cold due to wind-cold or wind-heat, which are terms used in traditional Chinese medicine. However, from a Western medicine perspective, both wind-cold and wind-heat colds are caused by viral infections, and in rare cases, bacterial infections. When bacteria or viruses invade the respiratory tract's mucous membranes, especially the mucous membranes of the throat, it leads to congestion and swelling of the throat mucosa, increased exudation of inflammatory secretions, resulting in symptoms such as sore throat, throat discomfort, and coughing up phlegm. Therefore, a sore throat could be due to a cold caused by wind-cold or wind-heat. In such cases, it is appropriate to take some anti-cold medications or some Chinese patent medicines to alleviate the symptoms.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How to reduce fever from a cold?

Fever symptoms caused by a heat cold, the first choice of antipyretic method is to take physical antipyretic measures, such as using a cool towel, ice cap, or ice pack to cold compress the forehead area. One can also choose fever-reducing patches or use alcohol to wipe areas like the palms and soles of the feet to promote metabolism. If the effect is not apparent, one can take antipyretic and analgesic medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for fever treatment. Note: Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Cold and cough symptoms.

A cold is caused by the invasion of various pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, and chlamydia into our upper respiratory tract, leading to inflammation there. Due to the inflammation in the upper respiratory tract, a large amount of secretions such as nasal discharge and phlegm in the throat are produced, causing symptoms like coughing. Some patients may have a dry cough, while others might cough up phlegm, which can be white or yellow. Coughing during a cold is a common symptom, and it can generally be addressed by taking some cold medicines, which are available as both traditional Chinese and Western medicines. Choosing the right medicine that suits one's needs can help treat the symptoms of a cold cough. (The use of medicines should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.)