When entering the period of "xiaoxue" (Minor Snow) in the northern hemisphere, temperatures mostly drop to zero degrees Celsius and snowfall gradually begins. As cold weather invades, many people may experience coughs and colds. So how can we prevent colds during the "xiaoxue" period?
【How to Prevent Colds during "Xiaoxue"】
1. How to Prevent Colds during "Xiaoxue"
The arrival of the "xiaoxue" season also marks the arrival of cold air. After entering this period, the weather becomes colder, making it a high-risk season for colds. In addition to staying warm, it is also necessary to maintain a balanced diet, pay attention to hydration, and exercise regularly to enhance the body's resistance and prevent colds effectively.
Stick to a light diet: Winter is a season for nourishing the body, but it is important not to consume overly greasy foods. It is better to eat light foods. Consuming greasy foods can easily lead to internal heat, resulting in constipation or acne. Also, avoid consuming high-fat, high-sugar foods as they can weaken the immune system and increase the chances of catching a cold. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to a balanced and reasonable diet to better prevent colds during the winter.
In addition, drinking pear juice daily can help moisturize the throat and lungs. Boiled radish water also has excellent effects, promoting digestion and preventing colds.
Regular exercise is essential: As the temperature drops during winter, it is even more important to exercise and not become lazy due to the cold weather. Even if you don't feel like running, you can go for a walk or use the stairs instead of the elevator. The key is to consistently exercise and stay active to strengthen your physique. In fact, when going to and from work, it is recommended to take the stairs as the elevator is an enclosed space that is more conducive to the spread of the flu. Therefore, it is advised to regularly take the stairs as a way to prevent colds.
2. Causes of Colds
70% to 80% of upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses. These include rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial viruses, echoviruses, and coxsackieviruses. Another 20% to 30% of upper respiratory infections are caused by bacteria. Bacterial infections can occur directly or as a result of viral infections. The most common bacteria is Streptococcus pyogenes, followed by Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Occasionally, gram-negative bacteria can also cause infections.
Various factors that weaken the body's overall or local respiratory defense functions, such as exposure to cold, getting caught in the rain, sudden climate changes, and excessive fatigue, can cause the rapid reproduction of viruses or bacteria that already exist in the upper respiratory tract or invade from the outside, leading to the onset of a cold. The elderly, young children, individuals with weak immune systems, or those with chronic respiratory diseases are more susceptible.
3. Clinical Manifestations of Colds
The onset of a cold is usually sudden, with an incubation period ranging from 1 to 3 days, depending on the virus. Enteroviruses have a shorter incubation period, while adenoviruses and respiratory syncytial viruses have a longer incubation period. The main symptoms are nasal symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and clear nasal discharge. It can also manifest as cough, dry throat, itching or burning sensation in the throat, and even a feeling of postnasal drip. Symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and clear nasal discharge usually appear simultaneously or a few hours after the onset of the illness. After 2 to 3 days, the nasal discharge becomes thicker and is often accompanied by sore throat, tearing, reduced taste, difficulty breathing, and hoarseness. Generally, there is no fever or systemic symptoms, or only mild fever, discomfort, mild chills, and headache. Physical examination may reveal congested and swollen nasal mucosa with secretions, and mild congestion in the throat.
【What to Eat for a Cold】
1. Eat More Eggs
Eggs are indeed rich in nutrients, but it is not advisable to consume too many eggs during a fever. This is because the protein in eggs, when broken down in the body, produces additional heat, which raises the body temperature, intensifies fever symptoms, and prolongs the duration of the fever, causing more discomfort to the patient.
2. Avoid Cold Drinks
If the fever is caused by bacterial infections such as bacterial dysentery from consuming contaminated food, drinking cold beverages will worsen the condition and may even aggravate the illness, posing a risk to life.
3. Consume Honey
During a fever, it is important to focus on clearing heat from the body and avoid nourishing foods. Honey is a tonic that invigorates the Qi, but excessive consumption of honey during a fever can hinder the effective clearing and elimination of internal heat in patients, and may even lead to other complications.
【Dietary Remedies for Colds】
1. Snow Pear Stewed with Rock Sugar
Peel and remove the core of 1-2 snow pears, and place them in a porcelain cup with 30-60 grams of rock sugar. Steam the cup over boiling water until the rock sugar dissolves. Snow pears moisturize the lungs, clear heat, quench thirst, and when combined with rock sugar, they enhance the lung moisturizing and cough-relieving effects, treating dry cough without phlegm, dry lips, and dry throat.
2. Red Sugar Ginger Jujube Decoction
Boil 30 grams of red sugar, 15 grams of fresh ginger, and 30 grams of red dates in three bowls of water until it reduces to over half. This decoction dispels wind and cold, treats wind-cold cough, stomachache caused by coldness, and postpartum diarrhea or aversion to coldness.
3. Sponge Gourd Congee
Wash and cut 500 grams of sponge gourd, leaving the skin on, and cook it with 100 grams of glutinous rice. When it is almost cooked, add 15 grams of dried shrimp and other ingredients. Sponge gourd has a sweet taste and cooling properties. It can clear heat, dissolve phlegm, cool the blood, and detoxify the body.
