How to get rid of Chest Congestion?

By chest congestion we understand the accumulation of an excess amount of mucus in the bronchial tubes of your lungs, which makes you feel tight and hoarse. It could be caused by a wide range of factors including the likes of a viral infection, a cold, the flu, allergies, bronchitis, pneumonia and even asthma.

Symptoms of chest congestion

Intense dry coughs and wheezing are among the commonest symptoms of congested chest. Often the discomfort caused is so severe that it may keep you up through the night, coughing. As opposed to common cold, the coughs associated with chest congestion do not yield any phlegm.

You might experience a feeling of pressure on your chest because of the mucus build-up within your lungs, which obstructs the passage of oxygen into your lungs. Inflammation of the throat is also common.

How to get over chest congestion easily

If you do not want to take medicines, you could ease away the discomfort of chest congestion by taking a hot shower. The steam loosens the sticky mucus in your throat and lungs and helps you breathe easy. Similarly, taking hot drinks like tea or coffee or breathing in the steam off these beverages benefits you equally.

Another process of inhaling steam is to dip a piece of cloth in bearable hot water and hold it against your mouth and nose. If you breathe in the steam from this cloth and repeat the process for at least five minutes, the coughs would definitely reduce.

Some other remedies for chest congestion

If steaming is not helping much, try some OTC decongestant drugs. Alternately, you could drink lots of juices and water to liquefy the mucus build-up. Taking green tea with honey is a wonderful remedy since it is rich in antioxidants. However, you must visit a doctor immediately if the chest congestion refuses to clear away after all.