Chest Congestion - Clearing the Lungs With Home Remedies and Diet Changes

Chest Congestion - Clearing the Lungs With Home Remedies and Diet Changes

This condition, which can be very uncomfortable and painful, is commonly caused by excess mucus and fluid in the lungs, often accompanied by a cough and may be audible [a crackling sound] when the man breathes in or out [air traveling straight through the airways of the congested lungs].

Symptoms of this condition

* coughing
* labored breathing
* shortness of breath
* chest pain or discomfort
* wheezing
* runny nose
* dizziness
* fever and chills
* body aches
* normal malaise

These symptoms can vary [all at once or mixed and matched] in accordance to what the basic cause is [flu, bronchitis etc]

Causes

* common cold
* flu
* allergies

serious but not life threatening
* asthma
* croup
* bronchitis
* pneumonia

more serious and life threatening
* lung cancer
* cystic fibrosis
* heart failure
* pulmonary edema

Treatments vary in accordance with the severity of the patients illness but in this description I am only going to deal with the non-life threatening [but still serious] chest congestion [the more serious chest problems need medical treatment as soon as possible]

Home remedies

Using a nebulizer [machine that warms a decongestant oil - karvol for example] will help comfort the congestion and ease any chest ache as it helps clear the airways of the patient by loosening the phlegm which is then easier to cough up.

Steam - this is also a great way to loosen any phlegm, boil a liter of water, pour into a bowl, add karvol [or any other decongestant med], get the patient to lean over the steam and cover their heads with a towel to keep the steam focused colse to the patients face while they inhale as deeply as possible.

Topical application - applying aromatherapy oils to the chest [eucalyptus, Clary sage, pine or rosemary for example] can also help in the comfort of a congested chest.

Breathing exercises - there are yoga exercises out there that help improve the lungs and heighten its capacity. Find a practice to suit your needs and try do this daily.

Diet

Ensure the patient eats a diet that is rich in all the nutrients [especially vitamin C and E] the body needs, this will help the immune ideas while it fights to clear the blocked airways. Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons etc are rich in vitamin C and this vitamin is very prominent in boosting the immune ideas at this time. Get the patient to drink as much herbal tea as they maybe can [at least 3x a day] as these include many considerable nutrients and can also help in development the immune ideas stronger.

Whatever the outcome of the home remedies you have tried, all the time get some medical guidance and medication from your doctor, this is a serious qoute and can be a symptom of a more severe medical condition.