Causes of Chest Congestion

There are few things that can be as annoying as chest congestion. Coughing, wheezing and tightness in the chest can be symptoms of many things. Here are a few causes for chest congestion.

1. Allergies: This happens to a lot of people in the spring, but can happen during summer and fall as well. Irritants in the air get into the lungs and cause them to create mucous to try and push it out. Sometimes the problem will go away after getting away from whatever is irritating your lungs. However, if you have an allergy to pollen, this can be a pain in the spring. You may need to visit your doctor if the problem persists. Otherwise, over the counter medications such as zyrtec or claritin may solve your problem. You can find out more about these at their respective websites. www.zyrtec.com or www.claritin.com.

2. Cold/flu: The common cold and flu can cause chest congestion. This can cause you to cough. This can be accompanied by a stuffy nose, chills and a fever. While there isn't much you can do to cure a cold, there are things you can do to lessen the severity and the time you have the cold or flu. Drinking plenty of fluids loosens the congestion, and helps you heal faster. Teas and other hot drinks will help loosen the congestion, but avoid dairy products. Getting plenty of rest will also help. Products like Zicam lessen the time you have a cold, and also reduce the severity of symptoms. Airborne may also help this, but in my experience, Zicam has worked more efficiently. Adding steam, such as a hot bath or shower, can help loosen the mucous and help clear out your lungs faster.

3. Infection: The chest congestion could also be caused by an infection. If you are coughing a lot, and your windpipe feels a little bit like it's burning, this could be a sign of an upper respiratory infection, and you should see your doctor.

4. Asthma: If your chest feels tight you are wheezing, this might be a sign of asthma. Asthma is when your bronchial tubes are swollen, and have trouble pushing air in and out. This is something you need to see a doctor about. He or she can prescribe a medication that will reduce your symptoms. It's also important to have a rescue inhaler in case of an emergency.

5. Heart problems: Very rarely, chest congestion can be a sign of heart trouble. The heart is not pumping properly, which allows the lungs to fill with fluid. There will often be other symptoms such as swollen ankles, difficulty breathing at night and heart palpitations. It's important to see your doctor immediately if you have these symptoms, especially if your heartbeat isn't normal.

These are the main causes for chest congestion, however, there are others. Most often, it can be dealt with at home, but if you have any doubts, visit your doctor.