Chest Congestion | Natural Treatments for Getting the Problem off Your Chest
Natural Treatments For Chest Congestion
A condition characterized by the accumulation of excess fluid and mucus in a person’s lungs is termed chest congestion; it is a symptom that is usually associated with serious lung conditions such as acute bronchitis and pneumonia. If one is suffering from chest congestion, one may manifest a deep, wet cough that is sometimes accompanied by thick phlegm; sore throat, difficulty of breathing and fever are also experienced by people suffering from this condition. Chest congestion caused by pneumonia yields a productive cough with blood-tinged mucus; chest pain, nausea, wheezing and general weakness are also reported by people suffering from this condition. Among the major causes of chest congestion are postnasal drip, bronchitis and pneumonia; people usually suffer from this condition during cold and rainy weather and when exposed to irritants such as pollen. Chest congestion can also be caused by the Flu, allergies and the common cold.
The natural treatments for chest congestion may vary depending on its cause. Pneumonia is described as an inflammation of the lungs due to the presence of an infection that can either be viral, bacterial or fungal; while bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics, fungal pneumonia is treated with anti-fungal medicine. Viral pneumonia, however, is self-limiting and management is geared towards treating its symptoms. Bronchitis occurs when the lining of the bronchial tubes are inflamed; the cause can either be viral or bacterial. Chest congestion associated with bronchitis results to a productive cough with green-colored sputum; it is treated with antibiotics when the cause is bacterial and treated symptomatically if the cause is viral. Postnasal drip is defined as the accumulation of mucus in the sinuses which then drips back into a person’s throat; it can either yield a productive cough or cause the mucus to slide down into the lungs, hence, causing the congestion. It is managed by over-the-counter expectorants and prevented through intake of allergy medication as it is commonly caused by allergies.
The medical treatment of chest congestion involves the use of cough expectorants, bronchial dilators and close monitoring of one’s blood oxygen levels; if the levels are determined to carry less than ninety-five percent of oxygen then there is a likelihood that the person is going to be hospitalized for treatment. The home remedies for chest congestion includes adequate hydration, the use of a cool mist humidifier and sleeping with the back propped up; one should be placed in an upright position to facilitate breathing and lying on one’s back should be avoided as it causes the mucus to settle at the back of the lungs. Taking a hot bath or a shower helps in loosening the sputum, enabling one to expectorate it more easily; drinking plenty of fruit juices and water helps in mobilizing the secretions but one must be sure to avoid cold drinks as this can aggravate the condition. Consuming hot beverages and inhaling the steam also helps in relieving the discomfort; one may take tea or coffee but must avoid putting milk in it or other dairy products.
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