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Chest Congestion


Chest Congestion

Chest congestion can be a symptom of a cold, flu, or more serious diseases like bronchitis. If chest congestion continues as a chronic symptom, medical help should be sought.

About Chest Congestion

Chest congestion is considered to be an extremely uncomfortable and sometimes painful condition in which the lungs fill up with an excess of mucus and other fluids. Most often chest congestion is accompanied with a cough, which is the body’s natural attempt to get rid of the phlegm that has accumulated. The person may have labored breathing, chest pain and a persistent cough. The person may hear a crackling noise when trying to breath.

Symptoms of Chest Congestion:

Shortness of breath
Labored breathing
Coughing
Chest pain
Dizziness
Runny nose
Wheezing
Discomfort
Blood in cough

Sometimes chest congestion is in itself a symptom and is accompanied by several other symptoms. But, if chest congestion is a result of the flu, it may be accompanied by fever, chills, body ache and malaise.

Causes of Chest Congestion:

The common cold is the most common cause of chest congestion. But, sometimes, chest congestion is often a symptom of a more serious underlying disease. Chest congestion could be a sign of asthma which is a chronic disease. It could also be caused by bronchitis. Some of the other disorders associated with chest congestion are the flu, airborne allergies, gastro esophageal reflux, pulmonary edema, croup, heart failure, pneumonia, lung cancer, and cystic fibrosis.

Home Remedies for Chest Congestion:

One of the best home remedies is inhaling steam for chest congestion. You can use a machine that passes out steam or simply boil a large bowl of water, pour it in a basin and then cover your head and inhale the steam. The heat of the steam will help to loosen up some of the hardened phlegm. This loose phlegm is easier to cough up. You can also gargle with warm water and salt twice or three times a day to help loosen up the phlegm. Drinking more fluids will also help to loosed up and liquefy the phlegm. Over the counter cough syrups containing Guaifenesin will help thin out the mucus lodged in your lungs, making it easier to cough up.

You should see a physician if you experience any of the following symptoms:

You are coughing or wheezing and your sputum is discolored and if you have chills and a fever.
You also have chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, swelling in your ankles or a history of heart disease.
You have shortness of breath and you are finding it difficult to breathe.

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