After enduring the scorching heat, Beijing has welcomed the refreshing autumn season. However, just as people are finally catching their breath after the summer's torment, illnesses such as colds, fever, and cardiovascular diseases—common in autumn—creep in silently, threatening health. Professor He Ming from Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Deputy Director Liu Siren from Beijing No. 6 Hospital recently gave interviews to journalists, sharing "health secrets" for a safe autumn from both Western and Traditional Chinese medicine perspectives.
Common Cold: Hard to Prevent
Liu Siren pointed out that autumn brings falling temperatures, rapid seasonal changes, and large temperature differences between day and night, making upper respiratory infections like colds rampant. These can even trigger complications such as pneumonia and heart disease, with elderly people and children being particularly susceptible.
Symptoms: Typically begins with persistent sore throat and nasal congestion, possibly accompanied by hoarseness or stuffiness, worsening over time. Other symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and sometimes mild fever.
Strategies: First, dress appropriately according to temperature changes and stay warm; increase outdoor activities to strengthen the body and boost resistance; drink plenty of water and eat more fruits; ensure proper ventilation by opening windows for half an hour to an hour daily; avoid public places whenever possible to reduce cold risk. Also, try to avoid contact with cold patients, wash hands after touching them or their belongings, and keep fingers away from eyes and nose.
Professor He Ming noted that colds, pneumonia, and bronchitis can be prevented through traditional Chinese herbal remedies. For example, taking Yu Ping Feng San (a powdered formula) once twice daily for one to three months may help. Additionally, individuals can choose to drink ginseng tea based on their constitution.
★ Special Reminder: From past experience, some elderly people self-medicate during early cold stages, but improper medication often worsens their condition, leading to complications like pneumonia by the time they seek medical help. Thus, elderly people should seek timely medical attention when suffering from a cold.
Cardiovascular Diseases Take Advantage of Weakness
Professor He Ming stated that autumn is a high-risk period for heart and brain vascular diseases. Climate changes causing cold stimuli excite the sympathetic nervous system, constrict capillaries, raise blood pressure, increase cardiac load, and cause cerebral ischemia. Moreover, dry autumn weather increases fluid loss, thickening the blood and slowing circulation, which raises the risk of cerebrovascular events.
Symptoms: Persistent fatigue, dizziness, irritability, chest discomfort, palpitations during activity, frequent or severe angina attacks lasting longer than usual.
Strategies: First, maintain emotional stability and avoid stress or emotional agitation. Second, balance work and rest, engage in moderate physical activity, and maintain regular routines to prevent excessive fatigue.
Additionally, weight control is essential. Excessive obesity increases cardiac strain; thus, limit total calorie intake, consume more fiber-rich foods, keep bowel movements regular, and prevent constipation. Hypertensive patients must continue medication, those with high cholesterol should lower lipid levels, and smoking and alcohol should be avoided, though moderate red wine consumption is acceptable.
★ Special Reminder: Elderly people should carry nitroglycerin or Su Xiao Jiu Xin Wan at all times for immediate use during emergencies.
Childhood Diarrhea Peaks in Late Autumn
Every autumn, childhood autumn diarrhea is as common as colds and fevers. Professor He Ming explained that from a Traditional Chinese medicine perspective, children’s spleen and stomach are easily affected by cold and dampness in autumn, making them prone to autumn diarrhea.
Symptoms: Autumn diarrhea is a common childhood illness, peaking from November to January of the following year. Children under two years old are most vulnerable, often experiencing severe symptoms. Children aged 4 to 36 months are especially at risk. Before onset, there are usually one to two days of fever, cough, and runny nose, followed by projectile diarrhea occurring ten or more times per day—sometimes up to thirty or forty times in severe cases.
Strategies: Promptly replenish fluids and electrolytes. For mild cases, give sufficient liquids orally to prevent dehydration. Mix 500 ml rice porridge with 1.75 grams of salt and feed in portions. Alternatively, boil 500 ml plain water with 10 grams of sugar and 1.75 grams of salt, then feed in portions. Hospital-prepared oral rehydration salts are ideal.
★ Special Reminder: Seek medical care immediately if a child develops diarrhea. Parents should monitor for increased heart rate and pay attention to balanced diet to prevent malnutrition.
Dryness in Autumn Harms Health
Professor He Ming emphasized that autumn brings dry weather, significantly affecting human health and metabolism. According to Traditional Chinese medicine theory, humans closely interact with climate and external environment changes. Neglecting this can easily lead to illness. For instance, lingering summer heat precedes autumn, while approaching winter cold follows. Combined with dryness and intense sun exposure, dry pathogens easily invade the body. Early autumn, where heat and dryness combine, is called "warm dryness"; deep autumn, near winter, when cool winds prevail, dryness mixes with cold, causing "cool dryness." Warm and cool dryness together are collectively known as "autumn dryness."
Symptoms: Dryness easily depletes bodily fluids, leading to yin deficiency and fire excess, manifesting as dry mouth and nose, sore throat, hoarseness, hard stools, and reduced urine output. Dryness damaging the lungs causes dry cough with little phlegm or blood-tinged sputum.
Strategies: Increase nutrition such as protein and vegetables, drink more water, and engage in moderate outdoor exercise. To combat autumn dryness, use moistening herbs like Codonopsis, Ophiopogon, Bamboo Shavings, and Lily in medicinal dishes (porridge or soup). You may also drink Ophiopogon and Lily with Tremella Soup, Tremella and Fresh Lotus Root Soup, boiled pear water with rock sugar, or Chrysanthemum and Ophiopogon tea—all effective for clearing heat and moisturizing the lungs, promoting health. Cancer patients may consider taking Zhen Qi Fu Zheng Capsules or powder to enhance immunity.
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