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How to relieve chest congestion For too many people, winter equals chest congestion season, when you have a load of mucus in your chest that just won't come up, no matter how hard you cough. Chest congestion can be caused by any number of ailments, chief among them the common cold and the flu. Fortunately, chest congestion relief also comes in many forms, from home remedies like hot steam to different kinds of medications. Hopefully one of these ways to break up chest congestion works for you. Plug in a humidifier Getting moisture into the air with a humidifier is a great home remedy for chest congestion. The principle is simple: Moisture helps loosen the mucus weighing down your chest so you can cough it up and out more easily. Using a humidifier to combat chest congestion doesn't work for everyone, but it's worth a try. If it works for you, just make sure to use it safely, says Alan Mensch, MD, a pulmonologist and senior vice president of medical affairs at Northwell Health's Plainview and Syosset Hospitals in New York. Humidifiers can breed mold and fungi, which can cause infections of their own. Clean your humidifier according to the manufacturer's instructions. "They're probably safe as long as they're kept clean," says Dr. Mensch. Embrace steam Lingering in a hot shower is a more targeted way to get the moisture where it needs to go than using a humidifier. Another option: Run the hot water in your sink and cover your head and the faucet with a towel, breathing in the steam. "That warm steam helps the airways open up a little bit," says Alice Hoyt, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Another plus: It gets you to take a break from your frenzied daytime activities. "So many people are very, very busy and stressed and aren't able to take time to rest," says Dr. Hoyt. A relaxing shower or a few calm minutes breathing deeply can help-as long as you don't let the water get too hot. Be wary if you have asthma, as inhaling steam may constrict your airways, cautions Norman Edelman, MD, chief scientific officer for the American Lung Association. |