讀後心得

In Taiwan, during the winter and spring seasons, influenza spreads, and many people experience respiratory symptoms due to significant temperature differences between day and night. A common situation is that even after a cold improves, a cough may continue. Coughing can be classified into three categories: acute (about three weeks), subacute (two to eight weeks), and chronic (over eight weeks). Traditional Chinese medicine believes that coughing may originate from dysfunction of the organs, with common causes including emotional fluctuations, indigestion, and asthma. Doctors suggest that if a cough has no apparent reason, one should seek medical attention promptly for symptomatic treatment, while also paying attention to daily warmth and diet.

• The winter and spring seasons in Taiwan are peak times for influenza, coupled with significant temperature fluctuations between day and night, leading many to develop respiratory symptoms and seek medical attention at clinics or hospitals.

• Common case heard: "Doctor, it seems my cold has gotten better, but I still can't stop coughing."

• Coughing can be classified based on duration:

  • Acute cough: lasts about three weeks.
  • Subacute cough: falls between acute and chronic.
  • Chronic cough: lasts more than eight weeks.

• Doctors point out that coughing is a self-protective response of the body. When the respiratory tract mucous membranes are irritated, the body expels foreign objects through coughing. However, chronic cough patients may overreact, coughing even in the absence of obvious irritants.

• Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that coughing is closely related to the function of the internal organs, affecting the chest is not solely due to the lungs. For example:

  • Liver cough: Individuals who stay up late and experience emotional fluctuations may cough along with a dull pain around the ribs.
  • Kidney cough and heart cough: Coughing due to chronic heart failure or kidney failure, often accompanied by lower back pain and difficulty breathing.
  • Spleen cough: Patients with prolonged indigestion or gastroesophageal reflux may cough due to stomach acid irritation.
  • Lung cough: Conditions like asthma and post-nasal drip.

• Detailed cough symptoms, such as the color of the phlegm (green, yellow, white, clear, blood-streaked), texture (thick or thin), and aggravating factors, are important information needed for diagnosis by the doctor; therefore, it is essential to accurately inform the doctor during the visit.

• Doctors remind that once an unexplained cough appears, patients should seek medical examination and treatment as soon as possible. It is advised to pay attention to warmth during significant temperature differences in the morning and evening, such as wearing hats and scarves, as this can help with lung circulation. Additionally, moderate exercise and avoiding staying up late can help regulate liver qi, improve emotions, and alleviate coughing. Those with poor gastrointestinal function should pay special attention to their diet, avoiding hard-to-digest and gas-producing foods as much as possible.