Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

The following article will introduce you to different ways to help reduce chest congestion.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Helpful tips

1. 

   Washing mouth. The mouthwash method is a bit uncomfortable, but it will help break up mucus in the respiratory tract. You can mix ½ cup of warm water with 1-2 teaspoons of salt and a pinch of turmeric. Stir the mixture until the salt is dissolved, then take a sip. Rinse as deep as possible under your throat for 1-2 minutes, 3-4 times a day.

2. 

   
   
   Steam. Similar to drinking hot water, a steam bath provides heat and moisture that helps break down and dissolve mucus deep in the lungs and throat. You can take a hot shower or fill the bowl with very hot water. Bring your face over the bowl of water and put a towel over your head to stop the steam. Hold the posture for as long as possible combined with deep breathing.
   • You can add a few drops of peppermint oil or eucalyptus to a bowl of hot water to enhance mucus breakdown.

3. 

   
   
   Pillows high in the head. This trick mainly applies to sleep. Pillows with a high head help push the mucus away instead of building up overnight. You should use pillows to raise your head above your body.

4. 

   Yoga. Exercise may be the last thing you think of when you are sick, but certain yoga poses can clear your airways and push mucus away. You can try a supine leg flex position by lying on a pillow placed along your spine on the floor. You should lie on a pillow so that your body / head is higher than your leg, and then bend your knees. Keep knees / feet flat on the floor in a bent position with knees and feet facing each other.
   • Maintain this position for 10-15 for best results.

5. 

   
   
   Use a hot compress. You can place hot water packs or hot towels on your throat and chest to relieve congestion and warm the airways from the outside. Lie in a knee-high position and let the temperature soak through your skin for 10-15 minutes. Mucus will be removed more quickly if you combine hot compresses with steam therapy.

6. 

   Use a humidifier when you sleep at night. A humidifier helps open up your airways, thus making it easier for you to breathe. Some humidifiers have a front slit design so that you can put medicine for nose problems up and use when needed. advertisement

Method 2 of 5: Drinking water

1. 

   Add enough water for the body. You must drink plenty of water every time you get sick, especially if you have a congested chest. Not drinking enough water will cause compression and accumulation of mucus in the chest and throat, making the mucus more sticky and difficult to remove. You should drink water (preferably warm) continuously throughout the day to dissolve mucus in your body.

2. 

   You should drink plenty of Gatorade (sports drinks) and juice to replenish electrolytes for the body. Whenever the body is sick, the body is forced to work as hard as it can to fight the infection, so it can drain a lot but not restore electrolytes.

3. 

   Drink tea. The hot water generally helps to dissolve mucus that causes chest congestion. However, the effect of relieving chest pain and congestion will be doubled if you drink hot tea from beneficial herbs and spices. You can make a cup of tea from peppermint, ginger, chamomile, rosemary or ginseng and drink it several times a day. A little honey can be added for sweetness and to enhance mucus removal efficiency.

4. 

   Brewing water reduces clogging from herbs. You can add a pinch of turmeric to a cup of milk. Stir well and heat the mixture above. Add a teaspoon of honey and a few drops of lemon juice to the mixture. Drink the mixture while it is still hot and every few minutes, stir the mixture once every few minutes. advertisement

Method 3 of 5: Food

1. 

   Avoid problem food. Food does not seem to be directly related to mucus and phlegm formation but can also be more or less affected.Dairy products, salt, sugar and fried foods can stimulate the secretion of mucus in the respiratory tract. You should not eat any of the above foods until the chest congestion clears.

2. 

   Eat beneficial foods. On the other hand, certain foods can aid in removing mucus from the chest and reducing mucus secretion. Spicy foods, citrus fruits, garlic and ginger can ease chest congestion easily. In particular, asparagus and pineapple have been shown to effectively reduce chest congestion.

3. 

   Try garlic and lemon soup. Both of these ingredients can reduce congestion. Besides, you can add soda biscuits to the above mixture to increase the effect.
   • Add the juice of 3 lemons to a cup of very hot water.
   • Crush some garlic (1-2 bulbs) and add in a cup of hot lemon juice.
   • Add a pinch of salt and a lot of black pepper powder.
   • Drink the above mixture and you will feel the effect immediately.
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Method 4 of 5: Non-prescription drugs

1. 

   Take an expectorant. An expectorant breaks down mucus and forces you to cough to push it out of your body. There are many over-the-counter expectorants available at pharmacies, but it's best to ask your doctor for a prescription.
   • Expectorants are not safe for children under 6 years of age, so you should consult your doctor to find a safe alternative for children.

2. 

   Avoid cough suppressants. Cough suppressants have been used to relieve coughs but also cause mucus build-up in the chest. You should avoid using cough suppressants or a whole set of expectorants / expectorants to avoid making the blockage worse. Keep in mind that coughing is normal, even better with a congested chest, so you don't have to reduce or stop it.
   • If the cough is really bothering you, you can take a cough suppress from ginger instead of a cough suppressant. Ginger helps break down mucus, while cough pills help soothe the throat and relieve pain. Eucalyptus cough pills also help soothe the throat.

3. 

   Treat the blockage with a mint cream. This cream is usually thick and has a very strong scent, thus making it easy for you to breathe. Peppermint cream doesn't break up mucus, but makes it easier to breathe. You should apply an over-the-counter peppermint cream to your chest before going to bed to keep your airways free.

4. 

   Try a Zicam zinc nasal spray. Often used when the first signs of a cold appear, such as sneezing or fever, Zincam throat sprays can fight colds and congestion and help you get better quickly.

5. 

   Use over-the-counter medications such as Ibuprofen, Advil, and Nyquil to help you relax while you recover. advertisement

Method 5 of 5: Medical relief

1. 

   See your doctor for prescription medication. If your symptoms do not improve after using any of the above methods, ask your doctor about prescription injections, nasal sprays, antibiotics and vitamins to treat severe and long-lasting chest congestion. As his father taught, "be careful of nothing," you should take extra care to avoid regrets later.

2. 

   Use a spray. You should consult your doctor about using aerosol sprays or inhalers in combination with your own breathing treatments. These are essential items for severe chest congestion, but you can use them several times whenever you feel weak and too tired due to the mucus in your body. advertisement

Advice

• Obstruction of the chest can turn into pneumonia if not treated early. Therefore, you should see your doctor immediately.
• If you are coughing up mucus (coughing up phlegm), you should not take antihistamines to avoid dry and difficult mucus from the body. Some cough medicines contain antihistamines, so be sure to read the label carefully before using it. Coughing up yellow or pale green phlegm is normal if you have a cold or the flu. However, if you are coughing up sputum with a different color, you should see your doctor.
• When taking a warm bath for a steam bath, you can have someone pat the lungs behind your back. The patting action makes it easier to thin and expel mucus.
• There are two places to tap to reduce congestion: the sides of your chest and your upper back. This method is commonly used for children with cystic fibrosis (CF) to force the child to cough and relieve congestion of the lungs.

Warning

• Avoid smoking. If you are unable to quit, you should stop smoking while treating chest obstruction. Smoking when there is too much mucus in your chest will make the blockage worse and take longer to heal.
• Do not drive after taking heavy medications like Nyquil. You should only drink Nyquil before bed to get a better night's sleep.
• Eating spicy foods can be helpful when you have a cold, but you shouldn't be too spicy. Only eat spicy as much as you can tolerate, as being too spicy often causes more harm than good.
• If an infant or toddler has a congested chest, do not give any medication (water) other than water or juice without first consulting a doctor.