Cover up in spring and keep cool in autumn! How should children keep cool in autumn?

Experts in this issue: Chen Zijia and Wu Liqun, Department of Pediatrics, Oriental Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine

The White Dew solar term basically ends the sultry summer and is the turning point from hot to cool in autumn. In addition, the temperature difference between morning and evening is large, so the number of children with colds and coughs in hospital outpatient clinics has gradually increased recently. Many parents asked: "It is said that 'cover up in spring and freeze in autumn', isn't freezing in autumn good for the body? Why did my child catch a cold and cough before freezing for a day?" The old saying "freeze in autumn" is to increase the child's ability to adapt to the cold environment through "freezing", so as to enhance the child's physique, but it does not mean that when the weather turns cold, you should still wear short sleeves and skirts for your child. Little do you know that children's body temperature regulation ability is not yet mature, so when the weather is hot and cold, they are more susceptible to diseases than adults. So there is also a saying: "Eighteen basins in the beginning of summer, don't expose yourself in the White Dew." Although autumn is a good time for cold resistance training, "freeze in autumn" should not be blind, but should be carried out step by step and scientifically.

First, acclimate to the cold. From the beginning of autumn, parents should gradually cultivate their children's tolerance to "freezing". Eat a balanced diet, do not blindly "put on weight in autumn", do more outdoor activities, get more exposure to outdoor air and sunlight, and give children more confidence to "freeze in autumn". Secondly, we must grasp the two principles of "gradual" and "moderate". Exercise should be gradual. It is not advisable to carry out high-intensity and long-term activities, nor should it be exercised to the extent of sweating profusely. The child can tolerate it, sweat slightly, and then gradually increase the amount of activity. Furthermore, pay attention to adding clothes in time. When dressing children, pay attention to keeping the abdomen and feet warm, and do not wear too thick or tight. However, for children who usually have poor physical fitness, repeated colds, or wear more clothes, do not strictly require that the clothes be the same thickness as other children. Add clothes in time according to the child's physical fitness, amount of exercise and weather changes, so that the child has a gradual adaptation process.

Parents need to be reminded that "autumn cold" must be different for each person. Children who usually sweat a lot, catch colds repeatedly, have weak lung qi, or have yellow complexion, weight loss, loss of appetite, and spleen and stomach deficiency should pay special attention to the degree of "freezing". If the symptoms of weak lungs and spleen are obvious, it is recommended to first undergo Chinese medicine conditioning. In addition, there are some chronic diseases, such as tics, asthma, allergic rhinitis, adenoids hypertrophy, etc., which often cause recurrence or aggravation of the disease due to colds. Parents should pay special attention to avoiding colds. Therefore, strengthening children's physique is not simply "freezing", but more importantly, it is about insisting on exercise, proper diet and clothing.