Coughing is a common phenomenon accompanying a cold, mainly because the cold virus invades the respiratory tract, causing inflammation, irritating the throat and trachea, leading to coughing. Although common, coughing should also be given sufficient attention when treating a cold.
It is worth noting that persistent coughing may be a health warning, especially for people over 40 years old, with a history of long-term smoking or frequent exposure to secondhand smoke. If the initial symptoms are only coughing, expectoration, and mild fever, it may be mistakenly considered a common cold and delay treatment, but it may actually be an early sign of lung cancer. Therefore, faced with persistent coughing, especially in the above high-risk groups, prompt medical attention should be sought for a comprehensive examination.
Traditional Chinese medicine provides some acupressure methods for cough relief. For example, Lieque acupoint is located on the wrist and stimulating this acupoint can effectively relieve dry cough and throat itching. Chohai acupoint is another acupoint for relieving cough located on the inner ankle. When used in conjunction with the Lieque acupoint, it can have better efficacy. For cough accompanied by yellow sputum, massaging the Yuzhong and Shaoshang acupoints may help alleviate symptoms. However, it is important to note that while massaging, the pressure should be slightly stronger for better therapeutic effects.
Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes differentiation of symptoms and treatment based on syndrome differentiation, distinguishing between external pathogenic factors and internal injuries, subdividing into various types such as wind-cold, wind-heat, phlegm-dampness, and dry-heat, selecting corresponding treatments based on different manifestations like cough sounds, sputum quality, and color. Treatment for external pathogenic cough focuses on expelling the pathogen and clearing the lungs, while internal injuries require consideration of the constitution in terms of deficiency or excess, tonifying the righteous qi, eliminating the pathogenic factors, and achieving a balance between treating the root cause and the symptoms.
In conclusion, although coughing is common, it should not be underestimated. Correctly identifying the type of cough and adopting appropriate treatment is key to maintaining respiratory health. Moreover, for persistent unrelieved coughs, seeking timely medical attention and investigating potential underlying diseases are particularly important.
