In my career as a doctor, cough has become a common complaint for many patients during the winter months. Cold air and the use of room heating lead to dry air, which tends to exacerbate the sensitivity of the respiratory tract, which can trigger coughing. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it can also affect daily life and sleep quality.
Let me share an impressive case. Last winter, a middle-aged lady came to my clinic who was struggling with a persistent dry cough and a cough at night. At the first visit, she told me that she had tried multiple medications but they didn't work well. After learning more about her habits, I noticed that there were almost no foods in her diet that moisturized her lungs, and the heating in her home made the indoor air unusually dry.
In response to her situation, I suggested that she adjust her diet, add some ingredients that have the effect of moisturizing the lungs, and introduced her to several simple diet regimens. At the same time, I also advise her to use a humidifier at home to increase the humidity of the air. A few weeks later, she came back to the clinic with a noticeably improved smile, her cough lessened, and she was able to sleep soundly through the night.
The Basics: Understanding cough and lung health
Coughing, although often seen as a common symptom, is actually a protective mechanism for our body to remove viruses, bacteria, and foreign bodies from the respiratory tract. During the winter months, cough symptoms may intensify due to dry air and temperature changes, especially in environments where indoor heating is used, which can further dry and irritate our respiratory tract.
Causes:
Viral infections: Winter is a time of high incidence of flu and colds, and these viral infections are a common cause of coughing.
Environmental factors: Low humidity due to cold air and room heating can dry out the airways, triggering coughing.
Chronic diseases: For people with chronic respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), winter may exacerbate their symptoms.
Effects of cough on the lungs:
Long-term coughing not only affects quality of life, but can also cause damage to the lungs. A persistent, violent cough may cause chest pain or muscle fatigue, and in severe cases, even rib fractures. In addition, a long-term chronic cough can be an early warning sign of lung diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis or lung cancer.
When to see a doctor:
When the cough persists for more than three weeks, or when the cough gradually worsens.
Cough with unusual symptoms such as fever, persistent chest pain, difficulty breathing, or coughing up blood.
Coughing causes sleep disturbances or restrictions on daily activities.
In children or older adults, the effects of coughing are especially severe.
Identifying the cause of your cough and treating it promptly is essential to keep your lungs healthy. With appropriate diagnosis and treatment and lifestyle modifications, cough can be effectively managed and relieved to reduce its health impact.
Ingredient selection: the key ingredient to moisten the lungs and relieve cough
Winter is here, and many people experience an itchy throat and a dry cough. This is not only due to the irritation of cold air, but also to the decrease in indoor heating and humidity. In my clinic, I often recommend ingredients to help relieve cough, especially those that have a moisturizing effect. Here, I will share a few ingredients that are particularly effective in fighting coughs, and I hope you will have a comfortable winter.
snow pear
Sydney pear is a very popular ingredient for moisturizing the lungs, which has a good effect on clearing heat and reducing phlegm and moisturizing the throat. Sydney pears can be eaten raw or boiled, juiced or cooked in soup with other ingredients. In my opinion, slicing Sydney pears, adding a little honey and a little water, steaming for 20 minutes and eating them is effective in relieving dry itching and coughing in the throat.
honey
Honey is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that has an excellent soothing effect on a sore throat or dry cough. A glass of warm water with a spoonful of honey every morning not only moistens the throat, but also strengthens the body's ability to fight diseases. Honey is also a great choice to use with other ingredients, such as honey lemonade or honey pear.
Hsien
Barley is used in traditional Chinese medicine to strengthen lung function and eliminate dampness from the body. It is especially helpful for those who have a cough with a lot of phlegm. Barley can be eaten in porridge, cooked with millet or red beans, which can not only replenish energy, but also help the body resist cold weather.
fig
Figs are rich in vitamins and minerals and are especially beneficial for lung health. It can help reduce phlegm dampness and clear fluid buildup in the lungs. Figs can be eaten as is, or cooked in soup with pears, which is very effective in relieving coughs.
almond
Almonds are rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, which can help reduce inflammation in the respiratory system. Almonds can be eaten as is, or ground into a powder mixed with honey. In traditional Chinese medicine, almonds are used to treat respiratory ailments, especially dry cough and asthma.
Diet plan: Practical recipes to moisten the lungs and relieve cough
Winter is coming, and cough begins to frequent many families. In addition to medication, dietary therapy is also an effective way to relieve cough, moisten the lungs and relieve cough. Here, I'm going to share some simple and effective diet recipes to help you keep your respiratory system healthy during this cold season.
Sydney honey tea
Ingredients: 1 pear, appropriate amount of honey, 250ml of water.
Directions:
Wash the pears, remove the core and cut into small pieces.
Put the pear cubes in a pot and add the water.
Bring to a boil and reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes until the pears are tender.
Once removed from heat, add the honey and stir well.
When to use: This tea is suitable for drinking in the evening after meals, helping to keep the throat moist at night and relieve sore throats and coughs.
Almond barley porridge
Ingredients: 30 grams of almonds, 50 grams of barley, 100 grams of rice.
Directions:
Soak the almonds and barley for 4 hours in advance.
Wash the rice and put it in a saucepan with the soaked almonds and barley.
Add an appropriate amount of water and simmer over low heat until the porridge is thick.
Depending on the taste, a little sugar or salt can be added in moderation.
Benefits: Almonds help relieve inflammation in the respiratory tract, barley helps to strengthen the lungs and dampness, this porridge can provide extra warmth to the body in winter, and at the same time moisten the lungs and relieve cough.
Stewed pear with figs
Ingredients: 4-5 figs, 2 pears, rock sugar.
Directions:
Wash the figs and cut them in half, and wash the pears, remove the core and cut into cubes.
Put the figs and pears in a stew pot and add the caster sugar to taste.
Add water to cover the ingredients and simmer for 1-2 hours.
Easy cooking tips: Using an electric cooker makes it easier to control the heat and time, allowing the ingredients to absorb the sweetness and keeping the food more nutritious.
Not only are these recipes simple and easy to make, but they're also perfect for the winter months. By adjusting your daily diet, you can effectively relieve cough and strengthen lung health. Hopefully, these recipes will help you with your winter health. Don't forget that eating right, getting enough rest, and exercising are also essential to staying healthy.