My 3 years old son is going through sleepless nights due to his chest congestion, his nose is also blocked and he bites teeth while asleep, please suggest some home treatments
Children tend to be particularly prone to respiratory infections. They can catch a cold and cough 6 to 8 times in a year, as their immune systems are not yet very strong, and hence unable to withstand common pathogens. Small changes in the climate or exposure to dust may also be a cause of this, in the case of children who have allergies or low immunity. If your son suffers from this problem regularly or if these symptoms have persisted for a long time, you should consult a doctor. In most other cases however, some simple home remedies can provide relief while he recovers naturally. The best remedy for children suffering from chest congestion is a warm chest massage and a balanced diet, combined with steam inhalation. Massage therapy refers to a gentle massage on the child’s body, especially on the chest and throat. This massage should be usually done at bed time, and is believed to lower anxiety levels, enhance blood circulation, and cure chest congestion, besides also making the child feel relaxed and comfortable. For enhanced effect, you can use a mentholated topical cream in the chest massage.
Treatment For Chest Congestion
Your child should be fed with a balanced diet to make his immune system strong so that he can fight the infection. You should also make him drink plenty of water, as coughs and colds can dehydrate the body and make the congestion worse. A diet rich in vitamin C and E is particularly helpful in building up the child’s immune system and will help to clear up the congestion more quickly. You can also give your son a herbal tea twice or thrice a day. Herbal tea has many important nutrients and makes your immune system strong. Ginger, turmeric, and jaggery are also helpful for reducing the occurrence of chest congestion in children. Finally, for steam inhalation, you can either use a basin of hot water or steam up your bathroom by running a hot shower for a couple of minutes. The inhaled steam will loosen up the phlegm, making it easier to cough up. (Needless to say, running a hot shower tends to waste a considerable amount of water, and is not eco-friendly. In addition, the basin, even though it may be slightly more cumbersome to get ready, is more effective and easy to handle while doing the inhalation itself.) Aromatherapy can also prove very useful for chest congestion. Oils like clary sage, pine, rosemary and also eucalyptus can be applied on the chest to get some relief.
