How to distinguish cold cough from hot cough
Cough is a common respiratory symptom, but different types of cough require different management methods. Cold cough and hot cough are common classification methods in traditional Chinese medicine, and distinguishing the two is crucial for symptomatic treatment. The following is a compilation of popular discussions about cold cough and hot cough on the Internet in the past 10 days, combined with traditional Chinese medicine theory and practical suggestions to help you quickly identify and respond.
1. The core difference between cold cough and hot cough
According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the causes, symptoms and treatment methods of cold cough and hot cough are completely different:
| Comparative item | Cold cough | Hot cough |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Exogenous wind and cold, lack of lung qi | Wind-heat invades the lungs or accumulates heat in the body |
| Characteristics of sputum | Phlegm is less, white, and thin | Phlegm is yellow and thick in color |
| accompanying symptoms | Afraid of cold, stuffy nose, runny nose, headache | Sore throat, thirst, fever |
| Tongue coating performance | Pale tongue and white coating | Red tongue with yellow coating |
| Recommended dietary therapy | Ginger brown sugar water, green onion porridge | Pear stewed with rock sugar and chrysanthemum tea |
2. Recent hot topics of discussion on the Internet
1.High incidence of cough during seasonal changes: Temperatures have dropped sharply in many places recently, and the number of searches related to cold cough has increased by 35%. Netizens are paying attention to questions such as "whether coughing that worsens at night is a cold cough?"
2.Popularity Ranking of Dietary Recipes: Baidu Index shows that the search volume for "Sichuan Fritillary Stewed Pear" increased by 42% week-on-week. However, traditional Chinese medicine experts remind that this prescription is only suitable for hot cough, and misuse may aggravate the symptoms of cold cough.
3.Misunderstandings in identifying coughs in children: Under the topic of #babycough on the Douyin platform, 30% of parents confused the symptoms of cold and heat. Pediatricians recommend making preliminary judgments by observing the color of sputum and the baby's drinking water needs.
3. Practical identification skills
1.time characteristic method: Cold cough usually worsens at night or in the morning, and is aggravated by cold air; hot cough may occur throughout the day, and may be accompanied by obvious fever in the afternoon.
2.sputum self-test: Spit the phlegm on white paper. If it is thin and easy to flow, it is a cold cough; if it is thick and dark, it is a hot cough.
3.Drinking water test method: A desire to drink hot water is usually caused by a cold cough, and a desire for cold drinks is mostly caused by a hot cough.
4. Precautions
1.Avoid blind medication: The recently discussed “Risk of Mixing Cough Medicines” case shows that taking traditional Chinese medicines with different cold and heat properties at the same time may lead to offset in efficacy.
2.Be wary of disease course transformation: In the cases shared by Xiaohongshu users, about 20% of cold coughs will turn into fever after 3-5 days, and the treatment plan needs to be adjusted in time.
3.Attention to special groups: When choosing dietary prescriptions, pregnant women and diabetic patients should avoid prescriptions containing brown sugar or rock sugar, and can use Luo Han Guo instead.
5. Summary of Expert Suggestions
1. Professor Wang from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine recommends: You can self-identify with the above method within 72 hours of the first cough. If it lasts for more than 1 week or if hemoptysis or chest pain occurs, you need to seek medical treatment immediately.
2. The Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine issued a reminder: There has been a high incidence of influenza recently. If the cough is accompanied by a persistent high fever, the possibility of viral pneumonia needs to be ruled out.
3. The latest research from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences shows that correctly distinguishing cough types can shorten recovery time by 30%, and incorrect medication may prolong the course of the disease by up to 50%.
Correctly distinguishing between cold and hot cough is the first step in effective treatment. It is recommended to choose the corresponding method based on the characteristics of your own symptoms, and seek professional Chinese medicine guidance when necessary. Maintaining indoor air circulation and appropriately increasing water intake are the general care principles for both types of cough.
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