Pristop TKM - premagovanje prehlada

Že smo zakorakali v sezono prehladov. Številni ljudje staknejo prehlad takoj, ko padejo temperature. Kihanje, kašljanje, šmrkanje, boleče grlo, glavoboli - ko zbolimo, nas to ovira pri vsakodnevnih aktivnostih, kot so služba, šola in ostale aktivnosti.

Zdravila iz proste prodaje lahko pomagajo pri lajšanju simptomov gripe ali prehlada, vendar imajo le majhen učinek na zdravljenje stanja ali krajšanje časa zdravljenja. Pravzaprav lahko neobravnavana ali neprimerno obravnavana gripa ali prehlad povzročita dolgoročne posledice, kot so kronična utrujenost, pogosti glavoboli, ponavljajoč kašelj itd.

Toplota je izvorna moč življenja

Naše babice so vedno vztrajale pri teh zapovedih, da bi poskrbele, da nam ostane toplo:

1. ''Ne sedi na mrzlih klopicah,''

2. ''Okoli vratu si vsaj ovij šal.''

Za temi starimi nasveti stojijo zelo dobri razlogi. Zdrava energija nas lahko učinkovito obrani pred tegobami, kot je prehlad. Ampak ko je zdrava energija ošibljena zaradi utrujenosti ali drugih resnih težav, lahko patogeni dejavniki zlahka od notraj napadejo človeško telo ko pridejo skozi pore, nos in usta ter povzročijo bolezni. Imunski sistem številnih ljudi omaga pri spopadanju s padanjem temperatur. Situacija je podobna temu, ko nekogaršnja hiša ni dobro vzdrževana, zato lahko veter in hlad vstopita skozi razbito okno, ali pa takrat, ko nekdo ni oskrbljen z zadostno količino drv za kurjavo. V takem primeru dom skozi zimo ne more dobro funkcionirati.

Perspektiva kitajske medicine

Kitajska medicina razloči dve stopnji povprečnega prehlada: Zgodnja faza je blaga in traja vse od nekaj ur pa do enega dneva ali dveh (invazija ‘vetra in hlada’). Takšni simptomi se lahko pojavijo po izpostavljenosti prepihu, klimi ali po delu. Če ste pozorni, boste lahko te simptome opazili, pri tem pa jih takoj poskusite olajšati. S tem lahko preprečite njihovo stopnjevanje. Običajni simptomi prehlada v zgodnji fazi:

• občutek hlada

• praskajoča bolečina v grlu

• kihanje z bistrim nosnim izcedkom

• otekle bezgavke vratu

• zategnjene mišice

• otrdelost v vratu

• težka glava

• nenadna utrujenost brez očitnih razlogov

Če ta faza napreduje brez zdravljenja, se lahko simptomi razvijejo do običajnega poteka ali hujših simptomov zgornjih dihal (invazija ‘vetra in vročine’). Takšno stanje zahteva uživanje zeliščne formule v obdobju nekaj dni. Običajni simptomi pozne faze:

• vročina

• zelo boleče grlo

• rumen nosni izcedek in sputum

• otečene bezgavke

• kašelj

• bolečine v mišicah

• glavobol

• izguba apetita

Premagovanje običajnega prehlada - primerjava Zahoda in Vzhoda

Zahodna medicina trdi, da prehlade povzročajo virusi, vendar se pri zdravljenju redko uporabljajo protivirusne učinkovine. Za lajšanje simptomov se predpisuje antihistaminike, zaviralce kašlja, aspirin, bonbone proti kašlju in ostala zdravila. Pijte veliko tekočine, ostanite topli in počakajte, da mine. TKM se tega loteva na nekoliko bolj proaktiven način v smislu premagovanja prehlada/gripe. Po eni strani poskušamo prepoznati sovražnika in potem telo razrešiti le-tega. Hkrati pa telesu nudimo podporo in krepimo imunski sistem. TKM razporeja prehlade v štiri kategorije glede na njihove štiri glavne vzroke - patogenični prehlad, veter, vlažnost in vročina. Hlad in veter sta običajna pozimi in spomladi; vlažnost in vročina pa poleti, vendar se lahko hkrati pojavi več elementov. Vsak zahteva različno zdravljenje. Raba zelišč in akupunkture morata biti pod nadzorom usposobljene osebe, vendar si lahko na druge načine pomagate tudi sami doma.

Gripe/prehladi zaradi hlada/vetra

Pri takšnih prehladih/gripah imajo ponavadi pacienti zamašen nos, izcedek iz nosa, pekoč občutek v grlu, bolečine v okončinah, kašelj z redko sluzjo, vendar se ne potijo. Običajno imajo bled jezik s tanko oblogo. Ljudje s takšnim tipom prehlada bi morali uživati preprosto hrano z manj mesa. Živila, ki se jih priporoča in bodo spodbudila potenje (kar bo pomagalo iz telesa spraviti patogeni prehlad), so vroče juhe, riževe juhe, zelena čebula, ingver in rjavi sladkor (ne med). Če pojeste skledico vroče ingverjeve juhe (pripravljena mora biti iz svežega ingverja) in greste potem pod debelo odejo, bo to spodbudilo potenje - to je ena izmed najučinkovitejših metod za lajšanje simptomov prehlada.

Gripe/prehladi zaradi hlada/vročine

Prehladi/gripe, ki jih povzročata patogena vročina in veter, se običajno pojavljajo poleti in zgodaj jeseni. Simptomi vključujejo žejo, vročino po telesu, boleče grlo in otečene žleze, kašljanje z gosto sluzjo, glavobole, boleče okončine. Jezik je pogosto rumenkast s tanko oblogo. Svetuje se preprosta, nizko proteinska prehrana. Izogibajte se vroči in pekoči hrani ter alkoholu. Lahko vam pomaga pitje blagega kamiličnega čaja.

prevod: Tanja Topić

vir fotografij: internet

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TCM approach for the common cold

It's the cold season and many people catch cold as the temperature drops. Sneezing, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, headaches- getting sick interferes with our ability to go to work, school, or even our daily activities. Over-the-counter medications can be helpful in addressing the symptoms of a cold or the flu, but they have little effect in healing the condition or shortening its duration. As a matter of fact, unmanaged or improperly managed cold or flu could result in long term conditions, like chronic fatigue, frequent headaches, recurrent cough, etc.

Warmth is the life origin power

Our grandmothers always insisted on two things to keep us warm:

1. 'Don’t sit on that cold bench.'

2. 'At least put a scarf around your neck.'

There is a very good reason for this kind of old advice. Healthy energy can effectively defend us against ailments like colds. But when healthy energy is weakened by fatigue or other serious ailments, pathogenic elements from outside can easily invade the human body through pores, the nose or mouth, and cause disease. Many people's immune systems have failed to cope with falling temperatures. The situation is similar to someone’s home is not well maintained so wind and coldness enter from a broken window or when someone is not well prepared with firewood then your home cannot function normally during the wintertime.

Chinese Medical View

Chinese Medicine discerns two stages to the average cold: The early stage is mild and lasts from a few hours up to a day or two (invasion of wind and cold). These symptoms may arise following exposure to a cold draft or air conditioning or perhaps after overworking. If you are attentive, you may observe these symptoms and should treat them as soon as you notice them. You may be able to prevent them from progressing. Early-stage common cold symptoms:

• chilled feeling

• scratchy sore throat

• sneezing clear and runny nasal discharge

• swollen lymph nodes in the neck

• tight muscles

• stiff neck

• heavy head

• sudden fatigue with no other obvious reason

If this stage goes untreated, you may progress to the usual course of more severe upper respiratory symptoms (invasion of wind and heat). It requires that another kind of herbal formula be taken for a few days. Later-stage common cold symptoms:

• fever

• very sore throat

• yellow nasal discharge and sputum

• swollen lymph nodes

• cough

• achy muscles

• headache

• loss of appetite

Management of common cold- West vs. East

Western medicine says colds are caused by viruses but very rare antiviral drugs are used. Antihistamines, cough suppressants, aspirin, throat lozenges and other medicine are prescribed for symptoms. Drink lots of liquids, stay warm and wait it out. TCM takes a more proactive approach in terms of cold/flu management. On one hand, we try to recognize the enemy and tackle it. At the same time, we do some support and tonifying for our immune system. TCM divides colds into four categories according to their four basic causes - pathogenic cold, wind, damp and heat. Cold and wind are common in winter and spring; damp and heat in summer, but several elements can occur together. They require different treatments. The use of herbs or acupuncture should be carried out by a professional but there is some self-help you can do at home.

Cold/wind-caused colds/flu

In cold/wind-caused colds/flu, patients usually have nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy throat, aching limbs, coughing with thin phlegm, but no sweating. They usually have a pale tongue with a thin coating. People with this kind of cold should eat a relatively plain diet with less meat. Foods that promote sweating to dispel pathogenic cold are recommended, including hot soups, rice soups, green onions, ginger and brown sugar (not honey). Drinking a bowl of hot ginger soup (must be fresh ginger), then going to bed under thick quilts will promote sweating - it's one of the most effective methods to relieve cold symptoms.

Cold/heat-caused colds/flu

Colds/flu caused by pathogenic heat and wind tend to occur in summer and early autumn. Symptoms include thirst, body heat, sore throat, and swollen glands, coughing with thick phlegm, headache, aching limbs. The tongue is often yellow with a thin coating. A plain, low-protein diet is advised. Stay away from hot and spicy foods and alcohol. Drinking a mild chamomile tea might help.