For the best results, gargle with salt water 3 or 4 times daily.

You can purchase peppermint tea at any grocery store or supermarket.

The more time you spend in a warm, humid environment, the looser the congestion will become. If you have the time, shower for at least 10 minutes.

You can purchase a humidifier at any large retail outlet. Humidifiers are also sold at large department stores and at major online retailers.

Some expectorants and may not be available to minors (anyone under 18). If you have a child under 18, consult with a doctor before giving them an OTC expectorant. Expectorants that contain the drug Guaifenesin should not be taken by individuals who have asthma or who are chronic smokers. Taking expectorants containing Guaifenesin when you have asthma or smoke regularly can cause mucus to build up in your airways. Many expectorants contain acetaminophen, which can cause liver damage in children, or in adults, if taken in amounts that exceed the recommended daily dosage. Always read the label on an expectorant carefully.

Mucinex (a brand name for Guaifenesin) is a common over-the-counter brand of mucolytic. Drink lots of water when you take a mucolytic to help it work better.

Asthma. Reactive airway disease. Cystic fibrosis. Other symptoms of cystic fibrosis include sticky, thick mucous, wheezing, and frequent lung infections. Pulmonary fibrosis. Other symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include shortness of breath, weight loss, and painful joints or muscles. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD). COPD is most commonly caused by frequent cigarette smoking, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. Symptoms include a shortness of breath and a chronic cough (which produces large amounts of mucus) for at least 3 months a year for 2 years.

Stay in each position for 5–10 minutes. The medical term “postural drainage” simply means adjusting the position of your body so that phlegm can drain from your lungs.

Press out your stomach as far as it will go, and then imagine that you’re trying to fill that entire space with air when you inhale. The medical term for this type of breathing is “belly breathing” or “diaphragmatic breathing. ”

You may need to ask a friend or family member to help you tap hard-to-reach parts of your chest and back.

As the phlegm comes up from your lungs, spit it out into a tissue, trash can, or other nearby receptacle. Practice controlled coughing to avoid coughing fits, which often cause your trachea and other airways to constrict.