Where does cold mucus accumulate in the chest?

Answer 1

Any place gravity takes it in your airway passages from your nose to your throat to your bronchial tubes and even down into your lungs in some cases. In response to the invading cold viruses, mucus is produced by the mucous membranes that line your air passages. The common cold viruses cause the response by the mucous tissue to produce excess mucus in attempts to flush the virus particles from your body. This causes the mucus to build up and trigger coughs and sneezes to further force the virus from your body and to clear your airway.

If you have accumulation of mucus in your chest, an expectorant cough medicine is often recommended. One of the best over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to help loosen and expectorate (cough up) the mucus and chest congestion is guaifenesin. It is the active ingredient in Robitussin and many other cough preparations. There is no difference between the guaifenesin in brand name cough medicines and generic versions - they are all made from the guaiac tree. This medicine has been used by native Americans for centuries. Look for the generic equivalent to Robitussin or ask your pharmacist for help selecting the most cost-effective expectorant cough medicine that has this active ingredient. I usually buy the type that has no other ingredients (like decongestants), since I don't always need both. I don't like to take medicines I don't need, having them as separate preparations lets me use only what I need when I need it.