What should i take for chest congestion

GET RID OF CHEST CONGESTION, BY FIRST UNDERSTANDING IT

Upper respiratory tract infections, like the common cold or flu, often put your mucus membranes into overdrive – clogging up your airways and causing chest congestion. This is because of your body’s natural immune system; when you get sick, your body produces extra mucus and phlegm to trap germs, bacteria, and any other irritants that could cause harm to your body. The production of mucus and phlegm is designed to trap these pathogens before they enter your body.1 *

Table of Contents Show

GET RID OF CHEST CONGESTION, BY FIRST UNDERSTANDING IT
WHAT CAUSES CHEST CONGESTION?
SYMPTOMS OF CHEST CONGESTION
SEEKING RELIEF FROM CHEST CONGESTION
Tips & Home remedies to help you feel better with chest congestion2:
Medications TO HELP YOU relieve symptoms of CHEST CONGESTION:
Expectorants2
COUGH Suppresants2
STOP READING AND RELIEVE YOUR CHEST CONGESTION
How do you get rid of a congested chest fast?
How can I treat chest congestion myself?

WHAT CAUSES CHEST CONGESTION?

Mucus is normally present in the body, but when you’re suffering from the cold or flu too much mucus is produced which can lead to coughing, congestion, and pain. Coughing and mucus is your body’s way of trying to remove the irritant that has entered your upper respiratory system2. Coughs are usually useful, and you shouldn’t try to stop them. Once an irritant is inhaled, mucus production is stimulated and tiny hairs in the lining of your nose and windpipe, called cilia, transport the mucus and irritant up and out of your throat. There it can either be coughed out or swallowed into the stomach 3.

SYMPTOMS OF CHEST CONGESTION

The following symptoms may be associated with chest congestion:

Wet or dry cough
Discomfort or tenderness in the chest
Mucus and phlegm produced with a cough

Chest congestion symptoms can be the result of multiple ailments, but if your chest congestion is a result of a cold then it should typically last less than 10 days.

When coughing up mucus and phlegm, the color of the fluid may be an indication of underlying issues. See our chest cold article for more information on what the different colours of your mucus may mean for your health.

SEEKING RELIEF FROM CHEST CONGESTION

Dealing with a constant cough can be tough, especially if it is keeping you up at night. Try these suggestions to ease the symptoms of chest congestion while your medicine gets to work.

Tips & Home remedies to help you feel better with chest congestion2:

Drink plenty of water: Water may help loosen mucus
Use a humidifier or take a hot shower
Get bed rest with your head elevated
Drink hot tea with lemon and honey
Use a hot compress on your chest
Avoid unhealthy foods
Avoid or quit smoking
Avoid exposure to irritants such as smoke, dust or other pollutants

Medications TO HELP YOU relieve symptoms of CHEST CONGESTION:

Expectorants2

If you have difficulty clearing congestion because your cough produces thick mucus, consider taking an over-the-counter medication containing guaifenesin.
Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It works by thinning and loosening the mucus clinging to the lungs or respiratory airways, making it easier to cough up mucus and breathe more clearly.4 Although Guaifenesin can help relief your cough caused by chest congestion, expectorants do not cure coughs and should only be taken as directed on the drug label.5

COUGH Suppresants2

Cough suppressants work well to relieve a dry, hacking cough.

Consider taking an over-the-counter medication containing dextromethorphan. It works by helping to control cough reflexes6. Be sure to always follow the instructions on the labels, and do not over suppress a productive cough. Coughing is useful as it brings up mucus from the lungs and helps to prevent bacterial infections.

STOP READING AND RELIEVE YOUR CHEST CONGESTION

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Sources:

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/mucus-and-phlegm-what-to-do-if-you-have-too-much/
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/ug1887
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/lungs_dust.html
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/medications/fdb1145
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/medications/fdb0704
https://www.knowyourotcs.org/ingredient/dextromethorphan/

Chest congestion is common during the winter season and can be caused by several ailments that affect the respiratory system such as the common cold, bronchitis, asthma or complications from heart disease. It can be a rather uncomfortable experience with symptoms including tightness in the chest, coughing, shortness of breath or a runny nose. There are several home remedies that can be used to bring relief and treat chest congestion.

Lemon and honey- Mix a tablespoon of lemon juice, a tablespoon of honey and a glass of hot water and drink this as a tea. This will help in reducing coughs and loosening the thickness of the mucus. Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C and are essential in getting rid of mucus-forming bacteria.
Salt water gargle- Gargling with warm salt water helps remove mucus from the respiratory tract.
Inhaling steam- Pour hot water into a bowl, then bend over the bowl with a towel over vyour head. Inhaling the steam and vapors from the bowl will help in loosening phlegm. Adding drops of eucalyptus oil can also be beneficial.
Increase fluids- Increasing your intake of fluids prevent mucus from thickening.
Drink black coffee-Have a cup or two of black coffee. Caffeine can offer relief for shortness of breath by expanding airways and the heat aids in clearing mucus.
Eat spicy foods- Foods infused with cayenne pepper or chili pepper can clear blocked sinus and bronchial tubes.
Ginger- Eat a small piece of raw ginger or add it to hot water and drink it as a tea to relieve chest congestion.

Chest congestion should not be taken lightly, because your body is not receiving the proper amounts of oxygen. Try these tips to aid in your relief, but if the problem persists; it is recommended that you see a physician. To make an appointment at the Jamaica Hospital Ambulatory Care Center call 718 206 7001.

How do you get rid of a congested chest fast?

Take a hot shower and breathe in the steam to ease congestion. Try an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease body aches and reduce fever. Use saline drops or nasal spray to alleviate congestion. Use lozenges to keep your throat moist.