The term common cold refers to a variety of disorders characterised by symptoms like headache, nasal congestion, sneezing, sore throat, fever, chills and a floating pulse. In some varieties acute nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea occur. In healthy individuals they are generally mild and self limiting, and more people will experience the common cold once or twice a year.
In Chinese medicine, the common cold is due to the invasion of the superficial layers of the body by pathogenic Wind, accompanied by Cold, Heat, Dampness or Dryness. In susceptible individuals the pathogen may penetrate to deeper levels of the body, affecting the internal organs. The potential for penetration of an external pathogen largely depends on the relative strength of the pathogen and strength or weakness of the bodies resistance.
Common colds are generally predictable in their outcome, and resolve quickly with correct treatment. The key to success is timing. The earlier the intervention, the faster the resolution. However, if the incorrect treatment is applied or if the patient is frail or chooses to ignore the body’s signals and ‘soldier on’ through illness, the pathogen may progress further into the body.
A combination of acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can be very effective in treating a common cold and its symptoms.