How to Get Rid of Chest Congestion and Mucus

Chest congestion may cause you to cough or feel uncomfortable, but these remedies can help.

A stuffy nose happens when the tissues and blood vessels in and around your nose get swollen with fluid and mucus. That makes your nose feel clogged. The same thing happens in your chest when it fills with phlegm. Chest congestion is a feeling of heaviness or fullness in the chest, usually caused by too much mucus or thicker mucus in the airway. As a result, the transmission of air through the airways is affected. Chest congestion can also occur if there’s excess fluid buildup in the lungs, also known as pulmonary edema.

Some mucus in your airways is a good thing. You need it to protect and moisturize your tissues. But congestion means there’s too much mucus in your body. It builds up when you have a cold, irritated sinuses, or allergies, or when you breathe in smoke or pollutants.

Chest congestion is usually the stuffiness inside the chest, accompanied by other symptoms like coughing. This cough may be of two types:

• Productive or wet cough: This type of cough helps move the mucus out, which you can eventually spit out.
• Nonproductive or dry cough: When you have mucus in the chest that won’t come up, it can trigger coughing that fails to clear the airway, resulting in a nonproductive cough.

Long-term conditions such as cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or asthma can also cause mucus buildup.

Most of the time, you don’t need a prescription to take care of congestion. Home remedies can give you relief from chest congestion caused by phlegm and mucus.

How to get rid of phlegm

Here are a few things that can help you clear your chest of phlegm and mucus:

• Humidifiers: These small appliances fill the air with water vapor and moisturize your nose and throat. That helps combat the dry air that could be causing the problem. Your body makes thicker mucus (and more of it) to soothe dryness. When humidifiers moisturize your nose and throat, your body won’t create as much mucus to cause chest congestion.
• Hydration: Drink plenty of water when you’re congested. It’ll help loosen the mucus. If you’re dehydrated, the mucus will become dehydrated too. That makes it thicker and harder to get out of your body. Avoid drinks like alcohol, coffee, and other caffeinated drinks that can also dehydrate you, to prevent chest congestion.
• Exercise: Walking quickly, biking, or jogging can help loosen the buildup in your chest, thereby relieving chest congestion. That will make it easier to cough up. But since congestion usually comes with sickness, your body also needs to rest to get better, so don’t wear yourself out. If you have a condition that causes you to make more mucus when you exercise, such as exercise-induced asthma, you may want to try a different remedy or technique.
• Expectorants: These medications thin mucus, which can help you get it out of your system. Guaifenesin is the only over-the-counter (OTC) expectorant. It has the same effect as drinking more liquids. You’ll find it in brands like Mucinex and Robitussin.
• Vapor rubs: These don’t cure the problem. But they can help soothe the symptoms of chest congestion. Vicks VapoRub, perhaps the best-known one, combines cough suppressants and pain relievers. The active ingredients are camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol. Rub it on your throat and chest to let the vapor reach your nose and mouth.
• Decongestants: These medications narrow your blood vessels. This helps open airways. When air can pass through more easily, mucus dries up. The two most common decongestant ingredients are pseudoephedrine (found in Sudafed) and phenylephrine. You may want to take decongestants in the morning. They can raise your blood pressure and heart rate. They may also keep you awake.
• Essential oils: People use essential oils to help treat a range of illnesses, including sinus infections and chest colds. Limited research shows they may have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. So, if you breathe in the vapors of the oils, it may help drain your sinuses.

To make your own vapor rub, dilute an essential oil in water or another oil and put the mixture directly onto your skin. A few essential oils that may help congestion include:

• Oregano
• Thyme
• Frankincense
• Eucalyptus

Here’s how to mix it:

• Infants: 1 drop of essential oil with 4 teaspoons water or carrier oil
• Toddlers: 1 drop of essential oil with 2 teaspoons water or carrier oil
• Older children and adults: 1 drop of essential oil with 1 teaspoon of water or carrier oil.

Always test the mixture on a small part of your skin to check for irritation.

You can also add drops to a diffuser or steaming water and breathe in the scent. Follow the directions that come with the diffuser.

Always check with your doctor before using any essential oils. Some are not safe to use on or around children. Store all essential oils and preparations in childproof containers out of reach. Just a tiny amount of essential oil can be poisonous if swallowed. Researchers have also found some essential oils can disrupt the hormones in the body. They don’t know how this might affect children or adults. Allergic reactions are also possible.

In addition to the above remedies, you can relieve chest congestion by quitting smoking, limiting dairy intake, sleeping with your head elevated, and inhaling steam from a hot shower.

There are a couple of airway clearance methods you can try to clear your chest. These are especially helpful for everyday buildup. Your doctor may recommend them and demonstrate them for you.

• Deep cough: To deep cough, you’ll take a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds, then use your abs to push out the air. Try not to hack or clear your throat.
• Huff cough: If the deep cough doesn’t help, you may want to try a huff cough. Take a deep breath through your nose, then use your abs to breathe out of your mouth in three short huffs. This puts air behind the mucus to pull it away from the lung wall. It should be easier to cough up after a few repetitions.

Most of the time, congestion is just uncomfortable. It may cause a cough or a sore throat. But if it comes with fever, weight loss, or nosebleeds, or lasts for more than 2 weeks, see a doctor.

• What are the fastest ways to get rid of mucus and chest congestion? The fastest ways to get rid of mucus and chest congestion include staying hydrated, using a humidifier, and inhaling steam. You can also try over-the-counter cough medicines, such as expectorants, antitussives, and decongestants.
• How can I naturally reduce mucus buildup in my chest? Some natural ways to reduce mucus buildup in the chest include staying hydrated, using a humidifier, and inhaling steam.
• Can chest congestion go away on its own without treatment? Chest congestion can heal on its own without treatment, especially if it’s a mild infection.
• What foods help to reduce mucus and chest congestion? Some foods that may help relieve chest congestion include soups, leafy greens, spicy foods, and other foods that reduce inflammation.
• How long does chest congestion typically last? Chest congestion typically lasts about three to seven days depending on the severity of the illness.
• When should I see a doctor for mucus and chest congestion? If chest congestion lasts more than two weeks or worsens or if you experience other symptoms, consult a doctor.
• Does drinking water help in clearing mucus from the chest? Staying hydrated by drinking enough water helps loosen and clear mucus from the chest. If you stay dehydrated, the mucus will remain dehydrated, making it thicker and harder to move out of the body.
• Are there over-the-counter medicines for chest congestion relief? There are over-the-counter medicines for chest congestion relief, including three basic types: expectorants, suppressants, and combination medicines.
• Can steam inhalation help get rid of chest mucus and congestion? Steam inhalation can be useful to get rid of chest mucus and congestion, as it loosens the mucus. They can also help cure other symptoms like dry or sore throat.