RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Masuk angin is a common Indonesian term used to describe various health complaints, such as body aches, bloating, nausea, headaches, chills, and a general feeling of being unwell. In modern medicine, however, masuk angin is neither the name of a disease nor an official medical diagnosis.

The term masuk angin has long been used in everyday life across Indonesia. According to Alodokter and Halodoc, it refers to a collection of symptoms that may result from various health conditions rather than a single specific illness.

Symptoms commonly associated with masuk angin include body aches, bloating, nausea, frequent burping, headaches, mild fever, chills, and fatigue. These symptoms may be caused by viral infections, digestive disorders, physical exhaustion, lack of rest, a weakened immune system, or changes in weather and temperature.

In medical practice, doctors do not use masuk angin as a diagnosis. Instead, they determine the underlying cause of a patient's symptoms, which may include influenza, respiratory tract infections, digestive disorders, or other medical conditions.

A study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology explained that masuk angin is a traditional health concept that has developed in Indonesia. The term is used by the public to describe a condition believed to result from exposure to wind or cold air.

The study also explains that the concept of masuk angin is part of Indonesia's traditional health knowledge that has been passed down through generations and remains widely recognized across the country. The concept differs from the diagnostic approach used in modern medicine, which identifies diseases based on medical examinations.

Although it is not a medical term, masuk angin remains widely used in everyday conversations in Indonesia to describe a condition in which a person feels unwell. (Nurkamilah)