Reference; https://mbp-japan.com/jijico/articles/32362/
Modified and translated by CFJA
When it starts getting cold, the cough begins.
It was a hot summer this year. In Toronto, as well as in Tokyo, everyone likely noticed the sharp increase in particularly hot days. Many people probably used air conditioning all day long. Toronto also had relatively warm days lasting until the end of October.
In Japan, even after the traditional start of autumn, the heat lingered, making many wonder if it would last until winter. However, from September 21, the temperature suddenly dropped. The old saying ‘Heat lasts until the equinox’ held true this year as well.
However, due to the sudden drop in temperature, more people are starting to feel unwell. When the temperature difference from the previous day is more than 10°C, our bodies struggle to regulate temperature just through clothing or diet alone. It takes about three weeks for the body to adapt to (or acclimatize to) temperature changes. For this reason, late September to mid-October is a time when people are more prone to falling ill.
When the temperature drops, the organ that takes the most damage is the lungs. A sign (or symptom) that the lungs are weakened is a cough. A cough is the body’s defense mechanism to raise its temperature. If you start coughing, you need to recognize that your body is feeling cold. Without taking measures against the cold, the cough won’t subside easily.
What are the remedies when a cough starts?
From late September, the temperature differences between day and night become more pronounced. While mornings and evenings are cooler, there are still days when temperatures rise above 25°C in Toronto (and 30°C in Tokyo) during the day. As a result, if you go out dressed lightly to match the daytime high, you are more likely to feel cold as temperatures drop in the evening. Additionally, people who continue to consume cold drinks or use air conditioning are creating a lifestyle background that makes them more prone to coughing.
If you start coughing, the following measures are necessary:
1. Switch to slightly thicker clothing
2. Carry a jacket with you
3. Wear socks
4. Use a heavier blanket
5. Switch to long-sleeve, long-pants pajamas
6. Limit air conditioner use
7. Avoid cold foods and drinks
8. Switch to warm beverages
9. Take a hot shower or soak in a 38°C bath for 1-2 minutes to raise your skin temperature
By following these steps, the cough should soon subside. When a cough starts, it indicates that your body’s strength is declining. Taking cough medicine may suppress your body’s natural response to recovery and can lead to further physical weakness, which in turn might prolong the cough. Therefore, it is important to avoid casually taking over-the-counter medications.
There are various reasons for coughing, such as raising body temperature or expelling foreign substances. If you are taking care of your clothing, diet, and getting sufficient sleep but the cough persists for more than two weeks, it may indicate the onset of various lung conditions, and seeing a specialist is necessary.
How you spent your summer or September has a significant impact on those who can’t stop coughing.