Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
A chest infection is a common health condition that can develop due to any infection in the lower respiratory.
Most chest infections are relatively mild and tend to get better by themselves in a few days or weeks. However, in some cases, they can cause some serious complications.
The good news is that you can usually manage the symptoms of chest infections at home by consuming the right mix of nutrients in your diet.
Eating wholesome, nutritious, and soothing foods can provide much-needed relief.
In this blog, we will cover some common symptoms of respiratory tract infections along with a list of superfoods that can help to avoid the uneasiness associated with the condition.
Symptoms
Common symptoms and warning signs of a chest infection can include:
- A persistent cough
- Coughing up yellow or green mucus
- Breathlessness
- Rapid and shallow breathing
- Wheezing sound on breathing
- A high temperature
- Chills and sweating
- A rapid heartbeat
- Throat and chest pain
- Confusion and disorientated
Foods that can help
Here are 6 foods that can help relieve the discomfort, reduce symptoms and also help speed up the recovery.
Soup
Soups can be very helpful to ease your throat and relieve chest congestion. They contain a number of substances with beneficial medicinal activity including an anti-inflammatory mechanism that could reduce inflammation.
The broth thus helps thin out the mucus in your chest and loosens congestion A bowl of hot tomato or chicken soup can help to clear your airways and act as a natural decongestant.
Turmeric milk
Turmeric milk has been recognised since ancient times for curing many diseases. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that help heal congestion and other symptoms of a chest infection. Various studies have shown that consuming turmeric regularly can effectively boost lung functions.
Coffee
It is a well-known fact that coffee and other caffeinated drinks instantly boost our energy levels. Researchers have found that a warm cup of coffee can also provide comfort to your chest.
This is because coffee is rich in antioxidants that help in protecting you against external radicals such as other bacteria and viruses.
A cup or two of coffee per day while you are sick can help your body while it’s battling a chest infection.
Cocoa
Antioxidants found in cocoa can aid in easing chest congestion. Cocoa contains more phenolic antioxidants than most foods, which help the body fight off external radicals.
Additionally, it possesses anti-inflammatory qualities that may aid in easing congestion. Coughing and a sore throat are typical signs of a chest infection.
Warm milk with a bit of dark chocolate or cocoa powder added can be quite comforting to the throat and chest.
Green tea
Consumption of green tea has been associated with a lower risk of chest infection. Green tea is loaded with the goodness of polyphenols, which may help reduce the severity of your symptoms if you are suffering from a chest infection.
Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make this beverage ideal for clearing chest and air passage.
Ginger
Ginger is natural decongestant and antihistamine. Its antiviral and antibacterial properties can help in easing congestion in the chest by drying out excess mucus and stimulating the removal of its build-up.
Drinking ginger tea a few times a day can help in which can help in expelling and breaking up mucus.
Garlic
Garlic is a natural herbal expectorant which has been used since ancient times to break down phlegm build-up.
The potent anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties of garlic can help in fighting viral, fungal and bacterial infections which cause respiratory glands to produce more phlegm.
Final thoughts
If you have a minor chest infection, you may not need any tests. However, if your chest infection symptoms are more serious, then you may require to undergo a chest X-ray along with a blood test.
