【Health and Wellness】Colds, rhinitis, asthma...diseases are more common in winter, improving immunity is the best way to cure them

Winter weather is cold and dry, and the incidence of many common diseases such as colds, dry skin, and rhinitis has increased significantly. How can we take preventive measures to keep these common diseases out? Wang Lerong, chief physician of the preventive health care department of Jining Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Shandong Province, said that doing a good job of daily health care and improving resistance is the "panacea" to prevent all diseases.

cold

Colds are the most common disease, especially in winter. Cold viruses usually invade the upper respiratory tract mucosa, and most patients experience symptoms such as runny nose, cough, and headache. If the disease progresses further, it is easy to develop into tracheitis.

Prevention methods

Keep abreast of weather changes, add clothes to keep warm according to the weather, and prevent catching a cold; eat a reasonable diet, eat more beef, mutton, beans, sweet potatoes, carrots and other foods in winter to improve the body's resistance. Supplement water appropriately to prevent dryness of the respiratory tract. Avoid eating too greasy, spicy and irritating foods. Pay attention to ventilation indoors to reduce the chance of infection.

9 grams of Codonopsis pilosula, 9 grams of dried orange peel, and 6 grams of roasted licorice root can be brewed with boiling water instead of tea to replenish qi and strengthen the exterior, which is suitable for those who are short of breath, fatigue, and cannot tolerate cold; 9 grams of Platycodon grandiflorum, 9 grams of dried orange peel, and 6 grams of licorice can be brewed with boiling water instead of tea to relieve cough and reduce phlegm, which is suitable for those who are prone to coughing and expectoration; massaging Fengchi acupoint, Dazhui acupoint, and Zusanli acupoint can increase immunity. Wang Lerong reminded that when using traditional Chinese medicine for prevention, professional Chinese medicine practitioners should be asked to prescribe according to personal constitution.

Dry skin

The dry weather in winter can easily lead to dry, flaky skin and even itching.

Prevention methods

First of all, pay attention to moisturizing. Do not take a bath too hot, do not take a bath too long, do not take a bath too frequently, and try not to use soap. After taking a bath, apply skin cream in time.

Eat a light diet, avoid spicy food, and eat more blood-nourishing or yin-nourishing foods, such as jujube, black sesame, etc.; adding Chinese medicine such as wolfberry, angelica, and ophiopogon japonicus when stewing soup will help nourish the yin fluid.

rhinitis

Winter rhinitis is mostly caused by cold air allergic rhinitis, and patients often experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, itchy nose, runny nose, and sneezing.

Prevention methods

Strong-smelling items and cosmetics can irritate rhinitis and should be avoided; use a humidifier in rooms with air conditioning to keep the indoor air moist and fresh; improve your ability to resist cold and disease by washing your face with cold water every morning; learn the correct way to blow your nose, first blow one side, then the other, and don't use too much force.

Massage Yingxiang, Bitong and Yintang points. Rub your palms together to warm them up, then use the middle fingers of both hands to press and rub them 100 times until the points feel sore. You can also push the bridge of the nose and rub the wings of the nose. Doing this regularly can prevent rhinitis.

asthma

Wang Lerong introduced that respiratory infections are more likely to occur in cold seasons, and sudden changes in weather or decreases in air pressure can trigger asthma attacks.

Prevention methods

① Stay away from allergens. Patients with asthma can go to the hospital to check for allergens. Dust mites, pollen, milk, eggs, feathers, cotton wool, fungi, etc. are all important allergens. Avoid contact in daily life. Wear a mask when going out on foggy days; ② Prevent colds. Colds and upper respiratory tract infections (especially viral infections) are the most common causes, which are more obvious in winter and spring or when the climate is changeable. For influenza, it can be prevented by getting a flu vaccine; ③ Avoid overwork and emotional excitement to avoid inducing asthma; ④ Chinese medicine diet therapy can relieve respiratory diseases and prevent asthma.

For example, Gorgon Fruit and Walnut Porridge: 30 grams of Gorgon fruit, 20 grams of walnut kernels, 10 red dates, and 50 grams of polished rice. Cook the porridge and eat it. It has the effect of nourishing the kidney, replenishing qi, and relieving asthma. Ginseng and Poria Porridge: cut Codonopsis pilosula and ginger into thin slices, mash and soak Poria cocos for half an hour, take the juice, and cook it with polished rice. It has the effect of nourishing the lungs and replenishing qi, consolidating the exterior and stopping asthma.

Reminder: Chinese medicinal diet should be selected under the guidance of a doctor.

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

The temperature is low in winter and the human body's metabolism is slow. The bodies of patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are stimulated by the cold air, and their blood vessels suddenly contract, which can easily lead to blood vessel blockage and induce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Prevention methods

Pay attention to keeping warm. People with poor heart conditions should avoid morning exercises. It is recommended to exercise after the sun comes out. The intensity of exercise should be appropriate. It is best to choose less intense exercises such as walking, jogging, and Tai Chi.

Take tonic food in moderation. Many people have the habit of taking tonic food in winter, but because there is less exercise in winter, if you take a lot of tonic food, it will cause increased blood lipids and may cause cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents; eat more foods that protect the cardiovascular system, such as high-protein, high-vitamin, high-fiber, low-fat diet, such as milk, fish, celery, corn, etc.; It is recommended that people over 50 years old, patients with hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease should not consume more than 1.5 grams of salt per day.

Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption, have regular physical examinations, and patients with hypertension should take medications on time and not reduce or stop the medication suddenly. Keep your emotions stable and avoid mental stress and emotional excitement. Under the guidance of a doctor, frequently massage the Laogong, Neiguan, Hegu, Shenmen, Shaofu and other acupoints, which have the effects of dredging meridians, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and have a preventive effect on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Source: China Traditional Chinese Medicine News

Author: Wang Bihui, Jining Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shandong Province