Do you feel awkward in social situations when you can’t stop clearing your throat and coughing? Do you wake up tired because your coughing kept you up all night? Chest congestion affects millions of people and despite dire warnings issued by medical agencies, most tend to take their chest congestion seriously. Chest congestion is an irritation of the mucus lining along the walls of the respiratory tract by irritants such as cigarette smoke; diseases like flu, bronchitis, tuberculosis and pneumonia; gastro-esophageal acid reflux; allergies and asthma.
Typically, the mucus expelled in the form of phlegm is a good sign as it indicates that the body is protecting itself by expelling harmful bacteria and irritants mixed with mucus. However, often when the excess mucus doesn’t go back to normal, the result is chest congestion.
If you are suffering from chest congestion, you will probably also experience:
Though these symptoms seem minor in themselves, it is not wise to allow them to linger for too long. Chest congestion that lasts for more than 14 days can indicate some serious underlying illnesses. It is best to treat it with home remedies starting from day three or four itself. However, consult a doctor without delay if the congestion continues even after 14 days. Here are some chest congestion home remedies to get you started on the easy road to recovery. Easy because these remedies are easy-to-make, affordable and sometimes fun to try and often, if not always, they give you instant relief.
Remedies include both the do’s and don’ts that you require to do when troubled with congested chest. Let us now get into a clear idea on what to do and what not to do:
Here are some things that a person suffering from chest congestion should avoid. Most of these things are easy to quit and if you succeed in quitting them for good, they will help build a better lifestyle as well.
Yes, I am talking about cigarettes! Your chest congestion might “magically” clear up a day or two after quitting smoking. Cigarette smoke (and other forms of tobacco as well) contains strong and harmful irritants that disrupt the normal functioning of the mucus lining of the chest. It recognizes the irritants as enemies and reacts by trying to expel them. This is also a good reason to quit smoking for good.
For some reason, dairy products are very common chest mucus lining irritants. They also promote the build-up of excess mucus. People with chronic chest congestion should try limiting their intake of dairy products and can opt for soy-based milk and cheeses instead. Ttill the time your congestion clears up, try cutting back on milk, curd and cheeses. It just might help.
Salt is a natural mucus generator, so, if you suffer from chest congestion, cutting back on salt for some days to see if it works is a good idea. Don’t just cut back on salt in your cooking, also avoid salty snacks like chips and roasted nuts. Not only will this help with chest congestion, it is also a healthy lifestyle choice.
Sugar, and especially refined sugar, can enhance mucus production in the chest lining. Try and avoid excess sugar and complex carbohydrates until your chest congestion clears up. Sugar, starch, and carbohydrates are all bad for your chest congestion as they provoke the chest lining to secrete more mucus than can be utilized. Go low on white bread, pasta, pastries and cakes (sad, but true!) and see if this clears your congestion.
Drinks that are too cold or chilled aggravate chest congestion by closing up airways instead of opening them. Closed airways become even more constricted and the excess mucus cannot be expelled. This causes a build-up of phlegm in the air passage ways that become irritated mostly at night when the body is at rest. Say goodbye to all cold drinks and cold water, especially iced ones to get relief from chest congestion.
Oily foods, especially fried ones, also promote mucus production in the chest lining. Eating too much oily food can make you phlegmatic and can give you bad coughing fits. The oil also coats the lining of the throat, which makes inhalation of steam more difficult. The overall effect is discomfort and more chest congestion. So, bid adieu to oily food till the congestion clears up.
If you tend to sleep with your head and nose covered, try leaving them uncovered. The stale air that builds up inside the covers can trigger coughing fits and congestion at night. The fresh air, especially if you use a humidifier at night, will act as a great expectorant. Over a good night’s sleep you will be rid of the post nasal drip and congestion and will wake up fresh to face the new day.