Chest congestion is a common symptom of respiratory tract infections such as the common cold. It’s what happens when the mucus membranes (mucosa) that line your airways jump into overdrive.
WHAT CAUSES CHEST CONGESTION?
When you breathe, you inhale particles that are floating around in the air like dust, allergens, bacteria or viruses. Usually, these particles are trapped in the mucus that covers the mucus membranes of your nose and airways. Then small hairs referred to as cilia transport the mucus (with the trapped particles) toward the throat. From there, it can be coughed out, also known as expectorating.
However, oftentimes, particles like dust can irritate your mucus membranes or a virus or bacteria can cause an infection. This causes inflammation and results in extra mucus in your airways. This extra mucus is one of the ways your body tries to eliminate an irritant.
With excessive, thicker, mucus, you body may bot be able to get rid of it in the usual ways. This is why you may start cough more and more. As a matter of fact, coughing is a way for your body to eliminate all of the irritants in your airways or an accumulation of extra mucus that’s stuck inside your lungs.
