Chest Congestion Treatment

Chest congestion is usually the symptom of a condition that may be caused by a virus or bacteria, though there could be a host of other reasons. A person who has chest congestion is also likely to experience coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, labored breathing, tightness in chest, chest pain and coughing of blood (hemoptysis). Based on the chest congestion symptoms a patient suffers from, a doctor diagnoses the root of the problem and them goes ahead with chest congestion treatment. Though usually perceived as a minor discomfort, in certain situations, such as chest congestion in infants, it can be very serious. For this reason, it is important to seek medical attention.

Chest Congestion Causes

There a large number of chest congestion causes. This tightness could be caused by cold and flu, bronchitis, whooping cough, pneumonia, heart-valve malfunction, lung cancer, tuberculosis, and pulmonary edema. If accompanied by swelling of the tongue or lips, chest congestion could be due to a severe allergic reaction. Chest congestion, dry cough and wheezing are frequently indicative of asthma. If congestion is experienced due to the accumulation of thick, yellowish or greenish sputum or phlegm, then it is likely to be a bacterial infection.

Chest Congestion Treatment

Chest congestion treatment is meted out once, the root cause is identified. As we have seen that the possible causes of chest congestion differ greatly, thus no one course of treatment can be followed. In the attempt to treat chest congestion, a doctor may need a patient to get blood or other body fluids tested, undergo a biopsy, get an X-ray of the chest, or lung-function tests. In cases where chest congestion is caused by a minor ailment such as common cold, there are over the counter medications to relieve symptoms. Guaifenesin/Phenylephrine is a combination medication that is used to treat symptoms (coughing, runny/stuffy nose, congestion) caused by the common cold, allergies, asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, and other breathing illnesses. Guaifenesin, which belongs to a class of drugs known as expectorants, thins and loosens the mucus in the airways. This clears chest congestion and makes breathing easier. Phenylephrine belongs to a class of drugs known as decongestants, which causes the blood vessels in the nose and sinuses to narrow, in turn lessening nasal congestion. Be aware that these cough and cold products are not considered safe or effective for children younger than 6 years.

Chest Congestion Home Remedies

There are many chest congestion home remedies that you could opt for, in case the condition is not severe. Some of these are:

Steam Inhalation: Steam inhalation is a good chest congestion home remedy, that is supposed to work wonders in loosening mucus. There a number of ways you can do it. The easiest way is to use a humidifier or vaporizer, whichever is likely to give you more relief. Another fairly easy option is to boil a large quantity of water and inhale the steam it gives off, for about 10 to 15 minutes. If you find the steam too strong, you can run a hot bath, and spend some time in the steamed bathroom.

Eucalyptus Oil: Dab some eucalyptus oil onto a towel and keep sniffing it through the day to relieve congestion. Some people recommend mildly heating it, and then applying it to the chest and throat. Alternately, you could also try massaging the chest with essential oils or vapor balm. While inhaling you could add a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil for a stronger effect.

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• Chest Congestion Remedies

It is advisable to consume a lot of fluids, especially fluids rich in vitamin C, when undergoing chest congestion treatment. Warm peppermint or chamomile tea are also said to help, as is chicken soup. However, while all these remedies may help, the congestion won't clear unless the cause is treated. To avoid prolonged illness or complications, visit your doctor if you have chest congestion.