Some Simple ways to relieve Chest congestion

What is chest congestion?

• Chest congestion is the mucus accumulation in the lungs and bronchi. Chest congestion may cause you to hear or feel wheezing or crackling sounds while breathing.

What Causes Chest Congestion?

• Infection with flu virus is the common causes of chest congestion and when the infection spread from upper respiratory tract (nasal passages, throat) into the lower respiratory tract (bronchi and lungs) then chest congestion occurs.
• Your body tries to remove infectious agents by producing mucus, to trap them and prevent your lungs and airways. Due to this mucus chest congestion occurs.
• If chest congestion started from a cold, then symptoms like stuffy nose, sore throat, and sneezing occurs. 
• Mucus produced by lungs that forms a protective lining in certain parts of the body. Mucus prevents drying out of the areas and helps against many kinds infectious agents including viruses and bacteria.
• In a healthy person some mucus is required, but too much can be uncomfortable. Excess may be caused by:

1. Infections, like common cold or flu
2. Seasonal Allergies
3. Air pollution 
4. Irritation of the nose, throat, or lungs
5. Smoking tobacco products
6. Lung diseases, like pneumonia, COPD, Bronchitis, lung cancer etc. 

How to get rid of phlegm and mucus?

Taking fluids, keeping the head elevated, and using nasal sprays may help to get rid of phlegm and mucus. Taking following measures can be helpful to eliminate excess mucus and phlegm

Taking plenty of fluids

• Taking plenty of fluids is helpful to stay hydrated and keep mucus thin. When a person is sick with a cold, taking extra fluids can thin the mucus and help the sinuses to drain. By keeping mucus thin it will help to prevent chest congestion. Taking warm liquids is beneficial.

Keeping the air moist

• Dry air cause irritation in the nose and throat and leads to more mucus production. Using a cool mist humidifier in the bedroom can be helpful for better sleep, clear chest congestion, keeping the nose clear and preventing a sore throat.

Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the face

• This can be effective way to get relieve from sinus headache. Inhaling through a damp cloth is a quick way to return moisture to the nose and throat. The heat will help to get relief from pain and pressure.

Not suppressing a cough

• Don’t use medications to suppress cough .However; coughing is the body’s way to keeping secretions out of the lungs and throat. You can use cough syrups.

Keeping the head elevated. 

• Lying flat increase your discomfort by favoring extra buildup of mucus. Due to this mucus is collecting at the back of the throat that leads to irritation in throat.

Use of saline nasal spray

• To use a saline nasal spray or irrigator can be helpful to clear out mucus and allergens from the nose and sinuses. You can use sterile sprays that contain only sodium chloride, and be sure to use distilled or sterile water when irrigating.

Oil massage on chest. 

• By massaging warm mustard oil on chest by adding some salt in it, will give effective results in chest congestion. 

Gargling with salt water

• One teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water can be used for gargling many times in a day. This is beneficial in irritated throat and helpful to clear away mucus. 

Using eucalyptus

• Eucalyptus oil can be applied directly to the chest. Adding  few drops of eucalyptus oil  to a diffuser or a warm bath will be helpful to clear the nose.

Avoid smoking

• Smoking cause the body to produce more mucus so by avoiding smoking one can get relief from chest congestion.

Keeping allergies in check 

• Take preventive measures to avoid seasonal allergies that can lead to a runny or stuffy nose, as well as excess mucus and phlegm. So keep your immunity high. 

Avoiding irritants

• Exposure to pollution, Chemicals can cause irritation in the nose, throat and lower airways. This results in production of mucus. 

Blowing the nose gently

• It may be tempting to keep blowing until thick mucus comes out. However, doing so too forcefully may hurt the sinuses, leading to pain, pressure, and possibly infection.

Use of herbal tea

• Drinking herbal tea daily will also be effective. As it will prevent many kind of infections, allergies that leads to chest congestion. You can make herbal tea by using ginger, tulsi, ela, lemon, honey etc.

Avoiding alcohol and caffeine 

• These substances lead to dehydration if taken in excess quantity. So avoid these beverages.

Eating plenty of fruits

• Studies shows that diet rich in fiber from fruit, and soy, may lower the risk of respiratory problems that can cause phlegm.

Steam

• Taking steam is very effective to prevent your chest congestion. As it help to loosen the mucus and relieve chest congestion.