If congestion persists, over-the-counter options likeVicks VapoRubcan provide additional relief.
Your body usescoughingto push out the excess mucus, but sometimes the process needs extra help.
Home remedies can support this process by thinning mucus, opening airways, and soothing irritation.
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Steam andhydrationhelp loosen mucus, while ingredients like honey and ginger calm inflammation.
Some natural remedies even haveexpectorantqualities, meaning they thin mucus to help your body clear it more effectively.
A good guideline for hydration is to drink enough fluid to make your urine pale.
Some people add a few drops of licorice rootessential oilto water for relief.
Clear broth is commonly made in a slow cooker.
Both ingredients offer unique benefits that may help relieve symptoms and speed up recovery.
In some cases, it also shortened the duration of illness by one to two days.
Lemon has long been used in traditional medicine for lung conditions likechronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).
Together, honey and lemon help thin mucus, soothe irritation, and clear chest congestion.
Though not for everyone, this remedy is widely used in some cultures.
This method may help get rid of chest congestion in a few ways.
Humidifier
Humidifiersadd moisture to the air and help prevent throat irritation due to dryness.
Studies have shown that reusable humidifiers can spread pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, in indoor spaces.
Essential Oils
Essential oilsare potent plant extracts that have various degrees of therapeutic properties.
Adding them to a humidifier or steam that you’re inhaling can help with cough and chest congestion.
However, they should always be used with caution.
Never ingest essential oils unless directed by a healthcare provider, and consult them on safe usage and dosage.
Exercise is particularly recommended for people with chronic diseases that cause mucus buildup in the lungs and airways.
Exercise requires you to take different volumes and depths of breaths.
It helps dislodge mucus without causing excessive strain.
One of the most common methods is the “huff” technique.
Stop if it does.
Elevate Your Head
You might find that adjusting your pillows and sleep position helps clear congestion.
However, pillows that are too high can bend your neck in a way that hinders proper airflow.
It also helps to lie on your back with your head elevated and a pillow under your knees.
Resting gives your immune system the boost it needs to reduce inflammation and clear out mucus.
Overdoing it when you havesinusitiscan make symptoms last longer, while proper rest helps your body recover faster.
you’re free to also ask your healthcare provider aboutnatural sleep aidsthat may improve your rest.
Saltwater Gargle
Saltwater garglingis commonly done to prevent and treat chest congestion and upper respiratory infections.
Simply add up to 1/2 tablespoon of sea or table salt to 1 glass of warm water.
Gargle for 30 seconds to one minute, and then spit the water out.
Avoid Smoking
Smokingand secondhand smoke make congestion worse by damaging tiny hairs in your nose called cilia.
Quitting smoking helps right away.
Within days, your airways begin to heal, making it easier to breathe.
As inflammation decreases and mucus clears, congestion and sinus pain improve.
Over time, quitting also lowers your risk of chronic sinus infections and breathing problems.
Warm Compress
Placing awarm compresson your throat and chest may help loosen mucus.
Warmth from the compress is thought to stimulate the immune system and other self-regulated processes that support mucus clearance.
Adding a few drops of mustard oil or ginger oil to the warm compress may be especially helpful.
The technique works by getting in a position that helps drain fluid from the airways and make breathing easier.
Take twice as long to breathe in as you take to breathe out.
Stay in the position for at least five minutes or until you feel relief.
Percussion helps break up the mucus in your chest so that it drains easier.
it’s possible for you to perform the massage on yourself while lying down on your back.
Avoid clapping against your chest so hard that it hurts.
You should hear a hollow, percussive sound, not a slapping sound.
It may also help to have another person perform the percussion around your upper back.
When you are finished, take a deep breath and then cough.
Coughing should bring upphlegmthat you’re free to spit out.
Expectorant medications are commonly sold in syrup (liquid), pill, or tablet form.
Guaifenesinis the active ingredient in several common expectorants, includingMucinex and Robitussin.
It is a safe and effective drug for relieving a chesty cough and other mucus-related symptoms.
Options include:
Pseudoephedrine is a common active ingredient in decongestants.
It’s still considered OTC because you don’t need a prescription for it.
Decongestants that are available on store shelves generally contain a similar drug calledphenylephrine.
Some products containing phenylephrine have the initials PE added to the name (e.g., Sudafed PE).
Nasal Decongestant Sprays
Nasal decongestant sprays work by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages.
Oils like eucalyptus oil may help fight inflammation and pain, as well as offer antibacterial effects.
Don’t usevapor rubdirectly under your nose.
That can cause respiratory distress and breathing problems.
The drops are put in one nostril and allowed to flow to the other.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Chest congestion isn’t always a cause for concern.
Home remedies can help manage symptoms so you’re able to rest and recover.
Summary
Chest congestion is sparked by inflammation and excess mucus.
OTC medications include expectorants, decongestants, vapor rub, and saline drops/washes.
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