Autumn Equinox: Beware of Autumn Dryness
Autumn is a season with a high incidence of diseases. As the climate changes, some illnesses can take advantage of the opportunity. Journalists recently learned from the outpatient departments of major hospitals in Zhongshan City that due to the large temperature difference between morning and evening, patients with colds, coughs, and diarrhea are on the rise, with the elderly and children being the majority. Therefore, doctors remind citizens that during the transition from summer to autumn, they should maintain a good daily routine and lifestyle, pay attention to personal hygiene, and strengthen their awareness of disease prevention.
Manage Your Diet to Prevent Diarrhea
“The weather has turned cool recently, and my child, Xingxing, has also fallen ill. Not only is he vomiting and having diarrhea, but his stool is watery, and he has a slight fever. At first, I thought it was just ordinary diarrhea and that it would be fine after taking some medicine, but the symptoms not only didn't improve but worsened. Later, after seeing a doctor at Zhongshan Bo'ai Hospital, I learned that Xingxing had actually contracted rotavirus diarrhea, which is commonly known as autumn diarrhea.” Recently, many mothers in the "Tiger Group" QQ group in Zhongshan have been venting their frustrations and discussing their experiences for advice.
As summer turns to autumn, the temperature difference between morning and evening becomes significantly larger. Therefore, the period from August to November is the peak season for autumn diarrhea. Because the infant's temperature regulation center and circulatory system are not yet fully developed, the disease is most common in children aged 6 months to 3 years. The pathogen of this disease is mainly rotavirus. The onset is often sudden, starting with a fever, with body temperature between 38°C and 39.5°C, and accompanied by "cold" symptoms such as coughing and runny nose, as well as frequent vomiting and diarrhea. If not treated in time or with incorrect methods, it can lead to death from dehydration and severe complications such as pneumonia and toxic myocarditis.
To prevent infants from being infected with rotavirus, the first step is to practice breastfeeding and pay attention to food hygiene; secondly, children's clothes, quilts, and utensils should be washed and changed frequently, and children should be reminded to wash their hands often; thirdly, it is important to maintain good ventilation indoors, not take children to crowded places, and when children show symptoms of vomiting, fever, or diarrhea, do not use medication on your own, but seek timely medical attention at the hospital.
Adjust Clothing to Prevent Respiratory Diseases
“The night before last, I went for a barbecue with colleagues, drank some alcohol, and was exposed to the cool wind at the open-air barbecue site for three hours. When I got home, I slept in an air-conditioned room all night. When I woke up the next day, I felt heavy-headed and listless, with a hoarse throat and a dry cough.” Mr. Luo, who works at a shipping company in Zhongshan, went to the Zhongshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital to see a doctor and reported his symptoms to the attending physician.
It is understood that recently, the number of patients with respiratory diseases has increased compared to the summer, with even more children suffering from respiratory infections. In response to the current high incidence of colds, fevers, and other respiratory diseases, the attending physician at the hospital explained that the autumn climate is complex and changing, with the temperature difference between morning and evening beginning to increase. The respiratory mucous membrane is constantly stimulated by sudden heat and cold, weakening resistance, which provides an opportunity for pathogenic microorganisms, making it very easy for people to catch colds. It can also cause tonsillitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Patients with chronic bronchitis and asthma often experience worsening symptoms, especially the elderly and children, whose defense functions are poorer and are more susceptible to colds and coughs. At the same time, because the initial symptoms of pneumonia are very similar to those of a cold, they can be easily overlooked. Therefore, if a cough, excessive phlegm, and fever persist for 3 to 5 days without subsiding, and symptoms like shortness of breath and wheezing appear, it is important to seek timely medical attention at the hospital.
Doctors advise citizens to pay attention to adjusting their clothing with the changing weather, increasing outdoor exercise to enhance physical fitness, and maintaining good ventilation in the work environment. Smoking and drinking are important factors causing autumn dry cough. It is best to reduce the consumption of tobacco and alcohol and eat light foods, such as autumn pears and other fruits with high water content. In addition, attention should also be paid to daily habits; when sleeping at night, be sure to cover yourself with a sheet or towel to protect against the night chill.
Be Cautious of the Flu When Returning to School
Ms. Mai, who works in the medical department of Haotou Kindergarten in Zhongshan, told reporters that a sharp drop in temperature is the main trigger for autumn colds. Most patients show moderate to high fever, cough, sore throat, excessive phlegm, nasal congestion, runny nose, and general fatigue, soreness, and a heavy feeling. She reminded citizens that "summer colds" should be prevented by strengthening physical exercise and improving the body's ability to resist disease. When cold symptoms are severe, some medications can be taken under a doctor's guidance, but antibiotics must not be abused.
Dr. Mai reminded citizens that the transition from summer to autumn is also a high season for the flu. Citizens should try to keep the air in their living, working, and studying environments well-ventilated, pay attention to personal hygiene, and wash hands frequently with soap and water. Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with dirty hands, as germs can be transmitted through these routes. Avoid contact with patients with respiratory symptoms of the flu (fever, cough, runny nose, etc.). At the same time, adequate fluid intake should be ensured to promote gastric juice secretion and increase appetite. She reminded students returning to school to pay attention to the local weather and temperature, adjust their clothing in a timely manner, and get enough rest, because when the body is very tired, the skin is more susceptible to cold air stimulation, which can easily cause colds.
Autumn Health Preservation: Effective Methods to Prevent Dryness
News from the Express Post: The autumn weather is unpredictable, the temperature is unstable, and the air is dry, making it a high-incidence season for various diseases such as coughs, pneumonia, and allergic diseases. Only by doing a good job in preventing common autumn diseases can one fully enjoy the clear and crisp autumn weather. Recently, reporters from the relevant departments of Zhongshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital learned about the causes and prevention methods of common autumn diseases.
Cough:
To address the most common autumn symptoms of dry mouth, cough, and excessive phlegm, you can brew a traditional Chinese medicine herbal tea. Take 5 grams of Ophiopogon japonicus, 3 grams of mulberry leaf, 5 grams of platycodon, and 3 grams of licorice. Steep them in boiling water. This can moisten the lungs and resolve phlegm. People are prone to colds in autumn, and autumn colds are often of a dry type, with symptoms like cough, constipation, bitter taste, and dry mouth. On the basis of the herbal tea, you can add 3-5 grams of Scutellaria baicalensis, 3 grams of chrysanthemum, or 3-5 grams of honeysuckle to relieve lung-heat cough. However, in late autumn, it's different. This is often a wind-cold cold, with symptoms like a runny nose and aversion to cold. You can use 3 or 5 grams each of mulberry leaf and Saposhnikovia divaricata, plus 5 grams each of platycodon and licorice to prevent and treat wind-cold cough.
Constipation:
In autumn, the lungs are most prone to problems. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is said that "the lung and the large intestine are exteriorly and interiorly related." Therefore, the large intestine also has more problems in autumn, mainly constipation. At this time, it is recommended to eat more foods that moisten the large intestine, such as Chinese yam. Honey and Chinese yam are the top choices for bowel lubrication, followed by pumpkin and potato, as these root vegetables have the effect of promoting bowel movements. In addition, walnuts are also a good choice, as autumn walnuts can moisten both the lungs and the intestines.
Dryness:
The autumn wind makes smooth skin dry and dull. You can eat more fruits, such as apples, and eating them with the skin on is even more effective. In addition, milk, soy milk, almonds, and lily bulbs are all good for moisturizing the skin.