Remedies for Chest Congestion

Chest congestion is caused due to the presence of excessive mucus in the windpipe and is most commonly caused when suffers from cold or when there is infection in the respiratory tract. If it is not treated, it gets built up in the chest, which causes heaviness in the chest and thus breathing becomes a problem.

Chest congestion may also be indicative of underlying heart trouble. This is because it implies that the heart is not pumping properly and fluid is being collected in the lungs. The symptoms would be swollen ankles, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing while sleeping, chest pain and palpitation.

Chest congestion is very common but becomes serious if not treated on time and can cause various diseases like pneumonia and influenza.

Treatment

Several home remedies are available which can be used to treat chest congestion. There are various herbs that help to clear the mucus and you can breathe easily.

Drinking herbal tea during congestion works very well. Various herbal oils are there which when inhaled with vapours help to relieve congestion.

During chest congestion, one should drink more of liquids so that the mucus that has got stuck in lungs moves down. Put some lemon in your drink because the acid in the lemon cuts down the mucus. Having hot chicken soup is very much beneficial.

Take steam, this would open up your airways and you would feel much better. The puffiness in the nose would also be relieved. Whenever mucus comes while coughing through it and never swallow it back.

Put hot water bottle on the chest because heat helps to loosen up the mucus. Be cautious put something in between your skin and bottle otherwise you can burn the skin. Do not sit in a place with any kind of smoke, as it would worsen your problem.

Small children are basically very much prone to chest congestion. Massage them and give them balanced diet to strengthen their immune system this helps in congestion.

Acupuncture and breathing exercises are very useful for in chest congestion.