Cold and Flu Medications

• Regardless of whether you're battling the common cold or the flu virus, over-the-counter medications are highly effective remedies for chest congestion. Congestion results from the accumulation of mucus. Taking over-the-counter drugs that feature an expectorant promotes coughing, where you're able to expel mucus in the chest and nasal passageways. Read the package instructions and take the medication as directed. An infection may be the underlying problem if your symptoms do not respond to over-the-counter medications, and in this case you'll need an antibiotic.
  
  

Get Plenty of Fluids

• Another method of relieving chest congestion involves loosening or thinning mucus in the chest. Along with medications, drinking liquids can help thin mucus. Increase your intake of fluids such as water and juice. Drink between six and eight glasses of water a day to loosen chest mucus; increase your consumption of orange juice to encourage coughing and the expulsion of mucus. In addition to acting as an expectorant, orange juice features vitamin C--an immune system booster to help you fight infections.
  
  

Steam and Heat Therapy

• Steam and hot liquids are also effective remedies for chest congestion. Take a steam shower or sit in a sauna to loosen mucus in your chest and ease uncomfortable symptoms such as coughing, congestion and wheezing. Placing a heat humidifier in your bedroom is also useful. What's more, drinking hot liquids such as tea, warm water or chicken soup can quickly thin mucus, calm a cough and ease throat irritation.