Phlegm in the chest is a relatively common condition which many of us develop in the span of our lives. Chest phlegm is in fact a clinical syndrome which is caused if there is an irritation in the bronchial lining. The mucosa, as it is called, when attacked by outside irritants like pollution or bacteria for long, tend to react by producing a lot of phlegm. Tobacco smoke dust, industrial fumes and atmospheric pollution contribute in creation of phlegm in the bronchial cavities. For some, the pollutants are simply occupational hazard. There are others however, whose lifestyle causes respiratory problems and buildup of phlegm.
The condition usually affects males and is commonly observed in adults, especially those in the middle age. Phlegm in the chest, though common, can have dire consequences. Therefore it is always a good idea to get yourself thoroughly checked by an expert so that the exact cause of the problem can be found out. Constant phlegm can be indicative of serious lung disorders like chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis and even lung collapse.
If you are a regular smoker, there are good chances that you might develop conditions which can lead to bronchial irritation. Smoking is injurious to health and the warning should be considered seriously. In order to reduce the irritation in your lungs, bring down your smoking drastically. It is best if you could stop smoking altogether. If you do not smoke, maintain your distance from smokers to avoid passive smoking which is as bad if not worse, than smoking.
In order to thin out the phlegm so that it can pass easily from the body, inhale steam. The hot vapors help in loosening the phlegm from the bronchial lining. With that, avoid all types of sour food, even curd. Sour food increases the amount of phlegm. Keep yourself as warm as possible. Cold aggravates the condition and can cause a real problem.
Take a handful of basil leaves, a teaspoon of crushed ginger and a pinch of black pepper. Add all these into a cup of water and boil. Simmer the solution for 5 minutes or till the solution gets reduced to half its quantity. Add a little honey to this and take a spoonful. Do this 4 times a day. Your phlegm will reduce quickly.
Ginger and honey also make for an excellent medicine for chest phlegm. Grate a three inch piece of ginger and squeeze it to get a teaspoon full of juice. Mix it with one teaspoon of honey and take it three to four times a day.
answered by G M