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Chest cold is the most common health conditions, following are the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of the Chest cold.

What is Chest Cold?

Chest cold is the congestion of the Chest due to the Cold. It is an infectious disease which is also known as “Acute Bronchitis”.

Symptoms of Chest Cold

Following are the symptoms of Chest Cold

1. Wet Cough

   The Bronchial Infection and Inflammation causes Wet Cough that involves Yellow or White colored Phlegm. It is the main symptom of the Chest cold.
   

   Acute Bronchitis
   Photo by : wikimedia

2. Fever

   Bronchial Infection is linked with high temperature. The Fever can cause chills and aches in the body of the patient. These symptoms are also accompanied with cold feeling in Chest.

3. Breathing Difficulties

   The patients often suffer from breathing difficulties due to Chest cold.
   Other symptoms of this disorder include

• Wheezing

• Inflammation of Tongue

• Weakness in the body

• Feeling of Nausea

Causes of Chest Cold

The causes of Chest cold start with the normal case of cold. The condition affects the Chest when Mucus enters in to the Lungs.
The main causes of Chest are

• Viral Infection

• Bacterial Infection

• Exposure to smoke or Air pollutants

• Wheezing

• Mild Fever

• Flu

The Infection normally begins in the Lungs with the end of the conditions like Flu.
The Viral Infection of the Upper Respiratory Tract, Microbes spread to the Lungs. This leads to the Bronchial Infection and swelling of the Bronchi as well as the Bronchioles. Bronchioles are the small hollow passages inside the Lungs through which Air is passed while breathing.

Chest cold Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Chest cold is made with the physical examination. If Viral or Bacterial Infection is suspected, a Blood test is carried out for that.
If Pneumonia is the cause, a Chest X-Ray is carried out. A sample of Phlegm is analyzed for presence of Bacteria or Virus.
In some cases, a Sterile Swab is passed slowly through the Nostril and collects Secretions from the Nasopharynx.
Lung function tests are also performed to check the presence of Chest cold.
In some patients, sensors are attached to their Toe or Finger tips to check the level of Oxygen in Blood.
If you are suffering from Chest cold, the doctor will ask about the medical history. He will also ask if you recently had suffered from conditions like Pneumonia or Flu, if you have been exposed to the Fumes, Dust, Air Pollutants and Vapors etc.

Treatment of Chest Cold

The treatment of Chest cold depends on the underlying cause.
The short term cure of Chest cold focuses at reducing the symptoms and giving relief to patients.
The treatments of Chest cold may include

1. Antibiotics

   The infants and the older people are cured with the Antibiotics and they are continuously administered.This is effective to cure the mild to severe disorders.

2. Oxygen Therapy

   The patients who suffer from shortness of Breath are provided with the Masks and Nasal Prongs. This makes sure that Brain and Heart receives sufficient Oxygen for their proper functioning. The instruments and the equipments vary depending on the significance of the condition.

3. Ventilation

   The mechanical Ventilation and breathing tube are used in the serious conditions of breathing difficulties caused due to the Respiratory failure, Hypoxia, Shock or Pneumonia.

4. Bronchodilators

   The Bronchodilators are the medicines that help to lose the expanded Bronchial passage and improve the Air passage into the Lungs.
   These medicines are put in Air inhalers and breathed to open the lower passages of Lungs for entry of Air.

5. Cool Mist Vaporizer

   Cool Mist Vaporizer gives artificial Air to the Lungs and provides relief from Chest congestion by taking out Mucus from Lungs.

6. Suctions

   Suction is used, if a Chest patient has been severely congested with Phlegm. Mucus is sucked out from the Chest and taken out to clear the air passages. This technique is commonly done in Infants and older people.

Home Remedies for Chest Cold

Following are the home remedies for Chest cold

1. Increase Intake of Fluids

   Patients suffering from Chest cold may suffer from Dehydration. These patients should increase the intake of fluids like juices, Water, Milk etc. it is necessary to drink lots of Water every day. This will help to make Mucus thin and remove it completely with time from Lungs.
   It is perfect to drink fluids containing Vitamin C. Vitamin C in present in fruits like Cranberry, Tomato, Orange and Grapefruit. Vitamin C increases the immunity of body and helps in fast recovery.

2. Intake of Warm Water

   Intake of warm Water especially made of Herbs like Chamomile and Peppermint help to lose the Mucus that blocks the Air. This provides relief from Chest congestion.

3. Inhaling Vapors

   Heating few drops of Peppermint or Eucalyptus Oil and taking in the Steam can reduce the Chest colds.

4. Massage of Chest

   Patients of Congestion can massage their Chest with the Vapor balm or Oil, it also provide relief from the Coldness of Chest.

How to Get Rid of Chest cold?Some natural remedies are useful in curing this disorder. They include

1. Thyme

   Add 2 tablespoon of fresh Thyme in a small sized cup of Boiling Water. Boil the mixture for 4 to 5 minutes. Drink this mixture when it is warm. This helps in thinning of Phlegm and removes it from the Lungs. It is one of the best Chest cold remedies.

2. Saltwater Gargle

   Dissolve half teaspoon of Salt in a glass of 8 ounces of warm Water. Mix these things and gargle with it.Saltwater gargle helps to provide the relief from sore throat and Chest congestion.

3. Ginger

   Boil a piece of Ginger in a container filled with Water and add Tea Leaves to make Ginger Tea.
   Drink this Tea, it will provide soothing sensation to the Throat.
   Ginger is a rich source of Enzymes that is used as a Chest cold remedy. It fights with Cold Virus and provides relief from irritation of Throat.

Prevention from Chest Cold

Following are the preventions for the reduction of Chest cold

1. Healthy Diet:

   A diet that consists of healthy foods such as Vitamin C, Multivitamins, Flax seeds, Almonds andSea food etc. sea food is rich in Omega 3. It increases the immunity that helps the body to fight against Viruses that causes Chest infections.

2. Water

   Try to drink at least 8-10 glasses of Water a day. It keeps the system by excreting out toxins from the body.

3. Wash Hands

   It is very important to wash Hands winter months. Avoid touching your Face with dirty Hands as it can cause Flu and other Virus Infection in the body.
   People who take care of other family members, who are suffering from Flu, they should wash their Hands right after treating them.
   
   This disorder can spread from 1 person to another with Hands infected by body fluids of the person.

4. Avoid Smoking

   The excessive smoking can damage the Hair-like projections known as Cilia. Cilia can be found in the Bronchial Tubes.
   These Cilia can trap the germs and pollutants from the Lungs. Absence of Cilia makes people liable to continuous Mucus production. It is necessary to avoid Smoking due to this reason.

Chest Cold Recovery

With proper treatment, Chest congestion disappears in a Week. The complete recovery from this uncomfortable condition can take few days for patients.
If you are suffering from Chest cold symptoms, try home remedies for 2, 3 days. However, it is important to get immediate medical cure instantly for infants and older members both.