CHEST CONGESTION

Chest Congestion: What’s Causing It       and

 When to Get Help!

 

With over 23,000,000 cases affecting people around the world, it is easy to see why we might feel paranoid over what could be a common chest congestion or cold.

 Unfortunately, COVID-19 symptoms are very similar to other illnesses. This means that a case of seasonal allergies or a minor cold could cause a panic.

There are, fortunately, some differences between COVID-19 symptoms and common chest cold symptoms. 

Knowing when to seek out professional health care and when to just ride out your illness is difficult. 

When you’re sick, you want someone to dote on you and care that you get better. Sometimes, the right person for that job is actually a healthcare professional. 

Chest congestion is a relatively common symptom that can be indicative of something fleeting (like a cold) or something more serious (like pneumonia).

Understanding the causes can help you determine if it makes sense to just settle onto the couch or contact your healthcare provider immediately. 

                      What Is Chest Congestion?

Chest congestion is a simple umbrella term for too much mucus buildup in your lungs. It often accompanies the common cold or other upper respiratory tract infections. Then these infections tell your body to overproduce mucus.

Chest congestion is comparable to nasal congestion, but the mucus settles in your airways rather than your nose. People often refer to this as a “chest cold.” 

When you have a chest cold, your airways swell and mucus develops in the lungs, usually leaving you with a cough, often one that produces phlegm.

Chest congestion generally causes a cough, which can lead to a sore throat or soreness in the chest. It is a symptom, which can help your healthcare provider determine an underlying illness and ultimately, the right course of action to get you feeling better. 

Causes of chest congestion

There are several things that could contribute to chest congestion.

A healthcare professional can analyze your symptoms and medical history to provide the right diagnosis. 

Here are some of the more common causes of chest congestion:

·     Airborne particles

Certain things in the air can enter your body just by taking a breath—such as allergens and dust. Usually, these particles are harmless and become trapped in the mucus membrane of your nose and airways. Tiny hair like structures called cilia transport these trapped particles along with mucus towards your throat. 

            That mucus can make your chest feel congested.

·     Bacteria and Viruses

An inhaled virus or bacteria can cause an infection, leading to chest congestion. At first, bacteria and viruses work much like allergens, entering your body through the mucus membrane and being transported by the cilia. But they also cause inflammation, which in turn makes your body produce excess mucus in your airways in an attempt to remove them. Your body may not be able to get rid of this excessive, thicker mucus in the usual ways, and the mucus gets stuck inside your lungs, which results in a congested chest.

Symptoms of chest congestion

When you inhale harmful particles, your body responds in two ways that lead to your chest feeling congested.

·     Mucus

Creating more mucus can actually be a good thing! It’s your body’s natural fighting response to an irritant. Though it’s one of the most recognizable signs of a chest cold, it does help remove nasty germs from your airways. The texture and color of your mucus might change as your chest cold develops—it may start as thick, clear or white mucus. Then it could turn yellow or green as your cough continues. Green mucus does not necessarily mean you need aggressive treatment or antibiotics. Black mucus, on the other hand, may be a sign of a bigger issue and it’s recommended you should see a doctor.

·      Cough

You’re likely to develop a cough thanks to all that excess mucus—it’s your body’s first tool to physically getting rid of harmful particles. The presence of extra mucus trips up nerve endings, called mechanoreceptors, and activates your “cough reflex.” While uncomfortable (and yes, kind of gross), coughing up mucus actually helps remove germs from your airways. This cough can start early and continue even after your other symptoms have subsided.

When to see your doctor about chest congestion

Chest congestion can be annoying, but isn’t always serious. However, you should see your doctor immediately if:

·      You develop a fever higher than 100° F

·      You're having trouble breathing

·      You’re coughing up blood

·      Your chest cold is keeping you up all night

·      You’re experiencing wheezing

·      You have shortness of breath

·      Your cold doesn't start getting better in seven to ten days

·      You’re seeing black mucus

What helps get rid of chest congestion

The right treatment for your chest congestion depends on the exact cause. 

But there are simple things you can do at home to get rid of chest congestion.

·      Stay hydrated

Drinking lots of fluids can help thin the mucus. Stay away from beverages that dehydrate you, like alcohol or caffeinated drinks.

·      Steam it up

Steam can do wonders. It can help moisturize your airways and loosen the dried mucus—use a humidifier or cool mist vaporizer. Taking a hot shower can also help you breathe a sigh of relief.

 

·      If coughing is keeping you up at night, consider a humidifier to loosen the mucus in your airways and use extra pillows to prop yourself up in bed.

 

Of-course, you can always consult a doctor online in the event of any necessity and have get yourself treated!

 

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