We need to understand the type and characteristics of the child and strive to strengthen immunity
| ▲ Professor Lee Seon-haeng (Photo = Courtesy of Kyung Hee Medical Center) |
[메디컬투데이=이재혁 기자] Cold is a disease that occurs all year round regardless of the season, but it tends to be especially prevalent in winter. This is because cold and dry air reduces the function of the respiratory mucosa and cilia, creating an environment vulnerable to viral infections. In oriental medicine, it is explained that respiratory diseases occur in winter due to the fraud of wind cold.
Professor Lee Seon-haeng of the Pediatrics Department of Oriental Medicine at Kyung Hee Korean Medicine Hospital said, “Colds are infections caused by various viruses or bacteria in the nose and throat. Clinically, they appear as rhinitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis. If your child catches a cold easily or the symptoms persist for a long time, you should focus on strengthening immunity by identifying the type and characteristics of the child along with improving the environment rather than focusing only on treating viral infections.”
Many cases improve naturally, but some require active management as they can lead to various complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis media, and myocarditis. In particular, during the growth and development of a child, even small and trivial diseases can easily damage the spirit, so the role of parents is more important. In oriental medicine, the types of children are classified into three main types, and the prescription of herbal medicine is in progress.
Professor Lee said, “If you have a naturally weak immune system, use antler as a key medicine to strengthen your skeleton. I recommend Bojungikgi-tang and Yangik-tang, which improve skin tone,” he said. “In addition, if the skin is not dense enough to suffer from cold more easily than others, and if infections occur easily and symptoms worsen quickly, try Okbyeongpungsan and Gyejitang, which regulate skin function with Astragalus as the main axis. It is good to take it,” he explained.
Prof. Lee suggested ways to protect children’s respiratory health in daily life: paying attention to keeping the back and back of the neck warm, eating food for healthy lungs (glutinous rice, lotus root, jujube, yam, etc.), skin training through continuous exposure to sunlight, and oral hygiene. Hygiene and hand washing etc.
Reporter Lee Jae-hyeok of Medical Today ([email protected])
[저작권자ⓒ 메디컬투데이. 무단전재-재배포 금지]