Allergy Relief

How To Get Rid Of Chest Congestion?

As we enter the autumn and winter months, concerns with respiratory health increase. Being proactive and informed can go a long way in keeping you and your family as healthy as possible.  

During cold and flu season, chest congestion is often the result of ailments from the common cold to pneumonia.  

What is Chest Congestion? 

Chest congestion is a  tightening in your chest due to the collection of mucus in the lungs and bronchi and may be accompanied by a moist productive cough. 

Chest congestion happens when infection with the cold or flu virus progresses from the upper to the lower respiratory tract, involving the sinuses, nasal passages, throat, lungs, and bronchi. It can affect either the larger airways or the smaller air sacs of the lungs, thus making breathing difficult and causing wheezing or crackling sounds when you breathe in and out. 

Chest Congestion Causes

• Allergens 
• Influenza 
• Bronchitis 
• Asthma 
• Pneumonia 
• COPD 

Chest Congestion Symptoms 

• Coughing with a clear, green, or dark yellow mucus 
• Shortness of breath or wheezing  
• Headache 
• Body aches and chills 
• Chest tightness  
• Sore throat 
• Fever 

Most of these symptoms often disappear in a few days, but a cough can last for weeks until your bronchial tubes heal. If you have a cough persisting for more than 14 days, you should consult your healthcare provider.  

How To Get Rid Of Chest Congestion?

Antibiotics are often prescribed for bacterial infections, but there are natural home remedies that can help - 

• Drinking plenty of water or other clear fluids keeps your body hydrated and helps relieve and resolve chest mucus. 
• Placing a warm-mist vaporizer or humidifier in your room prevents dryness and alleviates lung irritation. 
• Sleep propped up with pillows can make breathing more comfortable and stop mucus from settling in your chest during the night. 
• Take a hot bath and breathe in the steam for relief of chest congestion. 
• Using saline drops or nasal spray helps alleviate chest congestion allergies. 
• You can try to ease body aches and reduce fever by taking OTC allergy relievers.  
• People who suffer from asthma or other respiratory ailments and experience a cough with congestion should monitor airflow and take the right medications and OTC inhalers.