Colds and flu
A cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract, usually caused by a virus. Complaints can include a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, coughing, headache and a general feeling of malaise. Sometimes there are also mild fever, chills or muscle pain. The exact symptoms vary per person and may change during the cold.
Usually a cold passes by itself. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be applied in addition, for example in the acute phase or when someone gets a regular cold and has difficulty recovering.
Within Chinese medicine, not only the cold itself is considered. The way in which complaints are expressed and the general resistance also play a role. For example, a cold with chills and watery noses requires a different approach than a cold in which throat pain, warmth and yellow mucus are at the forefront.
Common symptoms
A cold may include:
- a blocked nose or runny nose;
- sneeze;
- throat pain or a tickling throat;
- cough;
- mucus formation;
- headache;
- chills or feeling cold;
- mild to moderate fever;
- muscle pain or numbness in the neck and shoulders;
- fatigue and malaise.
Not everyone has the same symptoms, and the symptoms may also change during the course of a cold.
Possible causes
A cold is caused by a virus that infects the upper respiratory tract. Several viruses can be responsible for this.
The chance of getting a cold is related, among other things, to exposure to viruses and contact with other people. Age and general health may also affect susceptibility and recovery.
If someone gets infections remarkably often, becomes seriously ill or always has difficulty recovering, it may be wise to discuss with the GP whether there is an underlying cause for this.
How can acupuncture help with colds?
Acupuncture can also be used in case of colds. Within Chinese medicine, the first thing to look at is the picture of complaints in the foreground. For example, when a chill starts with chills and an aqueous nose run, other points are chosen than in case of clear sore throats and warmth.
The treatment may include:
- reducing nasal congestion and other upper respiratory complaints;
- supporting the normal function of the Lungs in coughing;
- reducing headache, muscle pain and tension in neck and shoulders;
- treatment of the specific Cold, Heat, Dampness or Drying image;
- supporting Qi and the resistance when someone gets a cold easily or recovers slowly.
In case of acute complaints, treatment may be temporarily more frequent than in case of chronic symptoms.
How can Chinese herbal medicine help with colds?
Chinese herbs are adapted to the stage and manner in which they present themselves in colds. Especially in the early stages, it makes a difference within Chinese medicine, for example Cold, Heat, Dampness or Dryness.
Treatment may be directed at:
- treatment of a starting Cold or Heat image;
- reducing throat pain, cough, nasal congestion or mucus formation;
- reducing Dampness when heaviness, sluggishness and indigestion are noticed;
- moisturising at dry throat and cough;
- supporting Qi and resistance to recurrent colds.
The choice of herbs can change during the course of the disease. A formula that fits the first hours or days of a cold does not need to be appropriate anymore when the symptoms change. In addition, people with reduced resistance may need a different approach than those who are normally less ill.
How does Chinese medicine view colds?
Within Chinese medicine, an acute cold is traditionally described as the intrusion of an external pathogen. This is often referred to as Wind. Wind not only literally means wind exposure, but also describes within TCM the sudden nature that can cause complaints.
Wind can, according to this theory, combine with Cold, Heat, Dampness or Dryness. This creates various complaints. For example, chills and aqueous secretion are more prominent at Wind-Cold, while Wind-Heat is more often accompanied by sore throats, warmth and thicker or coloured mucus.
The Lung organ system plays an important role in this. Within TCM, the breathing, nose, throat and the spread of Qi on the surface of the body are among the functions of the Lungs.
Wei Qi is also mentioned, often translated as protective Qi. This is a traditional TCM concept that describes the body's ability to defend itself against external influences on the surface. Therefore, in people who get colds easily, the treatment does not only look at acute infection, but also at the underlying complaint image.
What is a TCM organ system?
A TCM organ system describes a group of related body functions and is wider than just the anatomical organ with the same name. Read more at TCM basics .
What is a TCM pattern?
A TCM pattern is a recognizable combination of complaints and physical characteristics that indicates which imbalance according to Chinese medicine is likely to contribute to the complaints. Read more at TCM basics .
Below are only the most common patterns discussed. Other patterns are possible and multiple patterns can occur at the same time. This allows you to recognize yourself in different descriptions. Also, someone with a certain pattern does not have to have all the symptoms mentioned. The pattern is determined on the basis of the overall picture of complaints.
Most common TCM patterns
Wind-Cold
Brief explanation
In the case of Wind-Cold, according to TCM, there is a relatively cold picture in the foreground. The cold often starts quite suddenly and chills or a clear need for heat can be more striking than fever. The nasal secretion and mucus are usually clear or white.
Common symptoms
- chills and feeling cold;
- little or no sweating;
- stiff or painful neck and shoulders;
- muscle pain;
- headache, often at the back of the head;
- clogged nose or watery runny nose;
- sneeze;
- cough with thin, clear or white mucus.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognised in a common cold, influenza and other acute infections of the upper respiratory tract.
Wind-Heat
Brief explanation
In Wind-Heat heat symptoms are more prominent. Throat pain is often an early and characteristic symptom. There may be fever with relatively few chills and discharge from nose or airways can become thicker and yellower.
Common symptoms
- fever or a clear feeling of warmth;
- slight chills;
- dry, painful or tickling throat;
- thirst and dry mouth;
- headache, often in front of the head;
- clogged nose;
- thicker yellow or sometimes greenish nasal secretion;
- cough with yellow or difficult to cough up mucus.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognised in common colds and other acute viral infections of the upper respiratory tract. A similar sign of complaints may also occur with acute throat or airway problems.
Wind-Dampness
Brief explanation
At Wind-Dampness, a cold is accompanied by a remarkably heavy and lame feeling. Within TCM, Dampness is used for a complaint image in which heaviness, slowness and a feeling of fullness can be central. In addition to airway complaints can therefore also prevent digestive problems.
Common symptoms
- heavy and lame feeling;
- heavy or slightly blurred sensation in the head;
- muscle and joint pain;
- mild fever or feeling cold;
- little or no sweating;
- chest feeling full or oppressive;
- decreased appetite;
- feeling sick or full of feeling in the upper abdomen;
- loose stools or diarrhoea.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognised in case of a cold or influenza with eye-catching muscle pain, heaviness and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Wind-Dryness
Brief explanation
In Wind-Dryness dry mucous membranes are central. Especially nose, throat, mouth and airways can feel dry. The cough is usually dry or little mucus comes along. Within TCM Dryness can combine with both mild heat and cold symptoms.
Common symptoms
- dry or irritated throat;
- dry nose and nasal congestion;
- dry mouth or lips;
- dry cough;
- little or no mucus;
- tickling throat;
- slight headache;
- sometimes mild fever or chills.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognised in case of a cold or other acute upper respiratory tract infection where dryness and dry cough are clearly at the forefront.
Wind with Qi-deficiency and weak Wei-Qi
Brief explanation
Some people focus not only on the acute cold, but also on its sensitivity. Within TCM this is often linked to insufficient Qi and weakened Wei Qi. According to this theory, defence against external influences is built up less powerfully, making it easier for someone to catch a cold or need longer to recover.
Common symptoms
- recurrent colds;
- complaints that persist for a relatively long time;
- fatigue;
- faster out of breath during exercise;
- pale radiating pain;
- weak or soft voice;
- easy sweating;
- recurrent nasal congestion or runny nose;
- mild or recurrent sore throat;
- symptoms that are more easily caused by fatigue or physical stress.
Examples of Western disorders
This pattern can be recognised in people with recurrent colds or long-term recovery after respiratory infections.
In some people, according to TCM, deeper patterns such as Yang, Yin or Blood deficiency play a role. This is especially seen when, in addition to recurrent infections, clear general characteristics are present, such as strong convulsion, dryness, night sweats or characteristics of Blood deficiency. These patterns require a more individual assessment.
When to contact your doctor?
A common cold usually resolves on its own. Contact your GP if you are seriously ill, become short of breath, develop chest pain, become drowsy or confused, cough up blood, or if symptoms are unusually severe or clearly worsening.
Medical judgement may also be advisable in the event of persistent or recurrent fever, impaired defences, severe underlying conditions or notably recurrent infections.
Outlook
An uncomplicated cold usually recovers by itself. When acupuncture or Chinese herbs are used in addition, the course of treatment depends on the stage and severity of the complaints and on general health and resistance.
In case of acute symptoms, treatment can be more frequent in the first phase. As a result, one treatment per week is not always the most logical frequency; for obvious acute symptoms, treatment can be temporary twice or three times a week. Chinese herbs can be used daily if appropriate and adjusted during the course of the disease.
In the case of frequently recurring colds, the focus after the acute phase is more on the underlying pattern and general resistance. Such a trajectory usually takes longer than the treatment of one acute cold.
Contact
If you have frequent colds, if you have difficulty recovering or if acupuncture and/or Chinese herbal medicine can fit in with your symptoms, we will discuss your colds, resistance and other relevant symptoms during a first consultation. Based on the overall picture of complaints, we will consider which TCM pattern is probably at the forefront and what treatment fits in with it.