Remedies for Chest and Nasal Congestion

Chest congestion? Stuffy nose? Do you lose a perfectly good nights’ sleep because of these reasons? Well, chest congestion or nasal congestion is something a lot of people face and can be due to various reasons like change in weather, intake of cold beverages, infection, sinus, allergies, flu, and asthma and in severe cases bronchitis or even pneumonia.

What is chest and nasal congestion?

Chest congestion and nasal congestion are related problems. Chest congestion causes mucus to develop in the lungs and the person feels unable to breathe properly. Sometimes when a person experiences chest congestion, it can lead to cough and phlegm.

Nasal congestion is nothing but a “stuffy nose”, in simple terms. When the nasal and adjacent tissues and blood vessels become swollen with excess fluid, it gives the nasal passage a feeling of blockage and difficulty in breathing.

Here are some remedies for chest and nasal congestion:

Consume honey:

Be it in the form of honey drops,  or even just a teaspoon of plain honey with a dash of pepper powder can help soothe and relieve the symptoms easily! Honey is a natural humectant and has demulcent properties that can help relieve the symptoms of irritation and inflammation in the throat. It can also relieve the nasal passage blockage by clearing the excess mucus formation in causing sinus.

Steam inhalation:

Steam inhalation can help relieve a stuffy nose. A stuffy nose or acute rhinitis is caused by the inflammation of the triggered blood vessels of the sinuses and it can be due to upper respiratory tract infections.

When we breathe in the moist air, it can ease the feelings of irritation caused by the blocked nasal passage and can help thin out the mucus (a thin secretion made by the nose and sinuses) in the sinuses. It can thereby make the breathing process easier and provide temporary relief, if not a permanent solution, as it doesn’t kill the virus responsible for the infection. It is also useful for treating the symptoms of common cold, bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tube causing mucus build up), cough (by helping the phlegm or the thick secretion from the throat and lungs to be released as it provides an expectorant effect), chest congestion and nasal allergies.

Use humidifiers:

Humidifiers are appliances that can provide therapeutic effects in terms of helping to reduce chest and nasal congestion. How humidifiers work is by adding moisture into the air and preventing air dryness that can contribute to the congestion by causing irritation while breathing air in.  Humidifiers fill the air with water vapour that helps keep the throat moisturized.

Saltwater gargling:

Doing a warm saltwater gargle can help relieve the symptoms by bringing the bacteria (which is causing the infection), to the surface of the throat, when the person gargles. Gargling refers to holding a liquid in your mouth or throat, tilting your head backward, and agitating it with air from your lungs.

This procedure helps to cleanse or disinfect the oral cavity and remove the mucus buildup in your respiratory cavity. The salt in the warm water has anti-inflammatory properties which can be helpful to relieve the pain and reduce the inflammation. It can keep your throat lubricated by drawing moisture from the surrounding tissues. The heat of the water helps the salt to dissolve and increases the blood flow in the throat, in turn aiding the immune system functioning to promote healing at a faster pace.

Turmeric milk:

Turmeric can help reduce skin allergies as it has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which work effectively in reducing the microbes and inhibit fungal activity in the body. The compound curcumin acts as an anti-allergen and prevents allergic reactions. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric can calm the skin, reduce scarring and prevent further breakouts and clear the already existing scars. READ MORE – TURMERIC MILK RECIPE FOR HEALTH AND BEAUTY 

Use saline drops or nasal sprays:

Using saline drops or nasal sprays can help treat the symptoms of a stuffy nose or nasal congestion and can relieve colds and sinus blockages. It helps to thin down the mucus in the nasal passage and reduce its secretion.

Stay hydrated:

Staying hydrated is very essential and has to be done apart from all the other remedies. Whether it is sipping on plain water, drinking a hot cup of tea or slurping on some soup, whichever way you like it, do it to stay hydrated. Hydration helps moisturize the throat and helps loosen up the mucus causing the congestion. The more dehydrated you are, the easier it is for the mucus to thicken and that makes it harder for it to get out of your body.