Chest Congestion and Cough

Chest congestion occurs when excess fluid or mucus that is not expelled from the body gets filled up in the chest. This is a serious symptom caused due to different reasons. Chest congestion is often accompanied by cough which helps in easy diagnose of the underlying cause. Let us take a look at the causes of cough and chest congestion.

Causes of Chest Congestion and Cough
Cough and chest congestion together are seen more commonly in case of respiratory disorders. Following are the major causes for the occurrence of congested chest and cough.

Allergy
Allergy is the most common cause of chest congestion. One may experience allergic reaction from various air borne products which results in cough, rash and occasional chest congestion. People suffering from allergy to pollen, smoke, dust, mold, etc. experience these symptoms.

Asthma
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder which occurs as a result of allergic reaction. Sometimes the airways are found to suddenly narrow due to exposure to allergens or cold air. This gives rise to asthma. Wheezing, chest congestion, cough, etc. are the symptoms of asthma.

Common Cold / Flu
Common cold is a mild viral infection characterized by sore throat, cough, runny nose and chest congestion. On the other hand, influenza or flu is a similar condition like that of common cold, but, fairly serious. The symptoms of flu are similar to that of common cold. One may experience chest congestion that sounds like cracking of the chest in both of these diseases.

Bronchitis
Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi due to viral or bacterial infection. Chest pain and congestion, cough, sore throat, fever and shortness of breath are the symptoms of bronchitis. Acute bronchitis, if left untreated, can turn chronic.

Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a sever respiratory disease characterized by symptoms similar to that of bronchitis. Pneumonia is caused due to inflammation of the lungs (excluding the bronchi) due to infections caused by virus, bacteria or other parasites. One should remember that pneumonia is contagious and fatal if left untreated.

Treatment of Chest Congestion and Cough
All the above mentioned diseases and medical conditions can be cured if timely treatment is undertaken. Therefore, if one observes any of the above mentioned symptoms that do not subside in 1-2 days, he should consult the doctor as soon as possible. The doctor may prescribe medications to cure symptoms like fever, pain, headache, sore throat, cough, etc. Once the cough is reduced, it is easier to treat congestion in chest. Antibiotics are necessary to treat bacterial bronchitis and bacterial pneumonia. However, in case of viral infections, the medications and drugs used as antibiotics prove ineffective against viruses. There is no cure for asthma, however, there are several medications and sprays that help in relieving the symptoms of asthma.

Remedies for Chest Congestion and Cough
There are several home remedies that help in clearing the symptoms of all the above mentioned diseases. One should drink a lot of fluids as they help to loosen the chest congestion and also the mucus. Secondly, drinking hot drinks like chicken soup and tea is also very effective. One should use a cool mist humidifier as it helps in loosening the mucus and congestion. It is also very essential to identify and stay away from allergens as much as possible to prevent allergic reactions of any kind. Lastly, one should sleep with his head in an elevated position as that helps in easy breathing.

These were the causes, treatment and remedies for cough and chest congestion. One should remember that having a balanced diet and a regular exercise helps in prevention of infectious diseases to a greater extent. Take care!