Chest congestion is at times a symptom of acute bronchitis, which is commonly known as a chest cold.1 Chest congestion happens when your bronchi airways become inflamed.2 When your bronchi become inflamed, your body produces more mucus than usual.2 Once mucus forms inside your bronchial tubes, or the tubes that pass air through your lungs, your airways become more narrow and make it harder to breathe.4 Show Other symptoms of chest cold include:1,2
If you experience the above symptoms, then contact your healthcare provider. They can diagnose your chest cold by:2
Causes of Chest CongestionIf you have chest congestion, there’s typically something else that’s causing your bronchi to become inflamed. Chest congestion is usually caused by the same virus that causes colds, flus, and sinusitis.2,3 In rare cases, chest congestion can be caused by bacteria or fungal infections.1,3 When you breathe in harmful substances or other irritants like germs, dust, fumes, and vapors, viruses and bacteria can enter your bronchi.3 The viruses and bacteria can multiply on the moist, inner linings of your lungs, and your bronchi can become inflamed to fight the viruses and bacteria off.3 The affected areas swell and produce more mucus to make it easier to cough up the irritants.3 You should consult with a healthcare provider if you:1
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Chest CongestionWhile chest congestion usually goes away on its own, there are remedies you can try at home to feel better. Some simple home remedies that can help relieve symptoms of chest congestion are:1,2,4
Robitussin’s chest congestion products include active ingredients that can help you fight off the chest congestion that mucus causes. The products come in liquid and tablet forms and in different flavors so that you can help relieve chest congestion the way you want. How do you get rid of chest congestion 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.
How do you break up chest congestion naturally?Suggested Home Remedies for Chest Congestion. Drinking Liquids. Drinking plenty of fluids will help loosen up the chest mucus and also prevent dehydration. ... . Steam Inhalation. You can try steam inhalation with a bowl of hot water. ... . Ginger. ... . Turmeric. ... . Thyme. ... . Lemon. ... . Jaggery. ... . Liquorice.. How do you break up a chest congestion and cough?How to break up chest congestion. Drink lots of water. Drinking lots of water can help loosen mucus so you can cough it up and out of your system. ... . Using steam. Deep coughs caused by chest congestion can become more productive with the help of steam. ... . Taking expectorant medicines that contain guaifenesin.. What is the best medicine for chest congestion and cough?Guaifenesin belongs to a class of drugs known as expectorants. It works by thinning and loosening mucus in the airways, clearing congestion, and making breathing easier. Dextromethorphan belongs to a class of drugs known as cough suppressants. It acts on a part of the brain (cough center) to reduce the urge to cough.
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