Foods for Chronic sinus/sinustis sufferers
SoleilxStitch
Posts: 95 Member
I have been suffering from chronic sinus problems for years (fevers, blocked nose, headaches and constant cough and ear ache) and no medicine has helped and neither has an operation on my nose. I'm not sure food can help but its worth looking into. Does anybody have chronic sinus problems and found that diet has helped, or of any foods that can help?
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Replies
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Have you done tests for the most common allergens? It would give you a starting point. The alternative is to get on complete elimination diet (you will have to google for the full list) and if things improve then start reintroducing foods until you figure out what was the problem.0
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These conditions are horrible....fellow sufferer here and you have my sympathy.
I found cutting down/out a lot of milk was helpful for me. Yoghurt and cheese only in smallish quantities don't seem to have the same clogging effect. I also now drink herbal teas such as lemon/ginger, peppermint etc etc I also found that ones like camomile made me very snuffly....I think it has something to do with the fact that I have multiple allergies including daisies which camomile is.
I have also stopped eating gluten....I started out by cutting wheat due to another unrelated health issue and found that it really helped with my sinuses, this then got me to thinking that it may be worth a shot with other types of grains....this is pretty drastic and not undertaken lightly. I get away with small and infrequent servings of rice and maybe porridge now and again....but my reaction is hit and miss.....sometimes it affects me clogging wise others not.
Upping my zinc and magnesium levels too seemed to have helped....immune boosting maybe but I'll take the benefit.
I have also found a lot of benefit from steaming ie. towel covered head over a large bowl of steaming water it can help loosen the mucous up and give you a bit of relief from the pressure pain...I tried unsuccessfully to use those saline nose squirter things from the Pharmacy and didn't get anywhere. Also cold packs that you can put in the freezer have been a God-send when trying to lower the inflammation just be careful to wrap so you don't get too cold and start a brain freeze headache on top of your other pain.
Hope these ideas help. All the best.0 -
Have you done tests for the most common allergens? It would give you a starting point. The alternative is to get on complete elimination diet (you will have to google for the full list) and if things improve then start reintroducing foods until you figure out what was the problem.
I haven't had tests done, what seems to have caused and aggravates the sinus problems, is air conditioning, I cant really cope in places with bad aircons, and I find after awhile of being at work and uni my body just literally breaks down from all the sinus problems.
All I can really do is take cough drops, nasal sprays (which dont really work at all) and ear drops, which is costing me a small fortune of around £50 a month. So I'm hoping diet can toughen my body up somehow.0 -
I think tracking down possible allergens would be more helpful than trying to find magic food. You might also try stress busters like exercise or meditation. Do you sleep well?0
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HippySkoppy wrote: »These conditions are horrible....fellow sufferer here and you have my sympathy.
I found cutting down/out a lot of milk was helpful for me. Yoghurt and cheese only in smallish quantities don't seem to have the same clogging effect. I also now drink herbal teas such as lemon/ginger, peppermint etc etc I also found that ones like camomile made me very snuffly....I think it has something to do with the fact that I have multiple allergies including daisies which camomile is.
I have also stopped eating gluten....I started out by cutting wheat due to another unrelated health issue and found that it really helped with my sinuses, this then got me to thinking that it may be worth a shot with other types of grains....this is pretty drastic and not undertaken lightly. I get away with small and infrequent servings of rice and maybe porridge now and again....but my reaction is hit and miss.....sometimes it affects me clogging wise others not.
Upping my zinc and magnesium levels too seemed to have helped....immune boosting maybe but I'll take the benefit.
I have also found a lot of benefit from steaming ie. towel covered head over a large bowl of steaming water it can help loosen the mucous up and give you a bit of relief from the pressure pain...I tried unsuccessfully to use those saline nose squirter things from the Pharmacy and didn't get anywhere. Also cold packs that you can put in the freezer have been a God-send when trying to lower the inflammation just be careful to wrap so you don't get too cold and start a brain freeze headache on top of your other pain.
Hope these ideas help. All the best.
Thank you for all the advice, I have read in places that herbal teas can help relieve the symptoms.
I'm trying to stick to low carb for unrelated issues, so that part doesnt seem drastric to me.
I know what you mean on the saline spray, for me they actually made it worse and just burnt my nose at the same time.
I also use cold packs/migraine packs when everything is abit much it tends to take the foggy feeling away and helps with the fevers.
I think I will give herbal teas and upping magnesium/zince a shot =] I can't escape my environment, all I can do is protect myself from it as much as possible.0 -
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I think tracking down possible allergens would be more helpful than trying to find magic food. You might also try stress busters like exercise or meditation. Do you sleep well?
My allergen seems to be environmental, I've been going to the doctors for years.
I do exercise and go to the gym.
My sleep is bad when sinus problems get too much, but the operation stopped the nose being as bad
Before that I was getting a few hours sleep a night if any.0 -
There's some concoction of cider vinegar, cayenne, turmeric, etc that my husband researched and makes me and it keeps me from getting a real sinus infection. That in combination with the lymphatic drainage I saw on a old video that was circulating on social media. Hope you can find them!0
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I agree that seeing a specialist would be a better starting place.
Contact a doctor that specializes in nasal / allergy issues and have him run the appropriate tests.0 -
If its the air conditioning that aggravated your sinuses, does this also happen with heating ? ( they come from the same place essentially. Is it all forced air or just air conditioning?)
And if your 100% sure its just Air conditioning, could you wear a respiratory mask ? I wear a mask when cleaning heavy dusk and it helps.0 -
catscats222 wrote: »did you eat a lot of processed foods?
i see you have been logging for just 2 days
a good diet can go a long way towards boosting your immunity
water? are you getting enough? greens? beans? grains? fruits and veggies? sleeping enough?
you don't smoke do you? take antibiotics often?
drinking or partying often?
My profile is new, that is why only two days logging.
I dont smoke and or take antibiotics. A lot of vegetables I don't like but I do eat like spring greens, cabbage, spinach I love < vegtables like these I eat.
I do drink alot of alcohol at times, that I could reduce, it makes my throat more dry. but its always dry...0 -
thorsmom01 wrote: »If its the air conditioning that aggravated your sinuses, does this also happen with heating ? ( they come from the same place essentially. Is it all forced air or just air conditioning?)
And if your 100% sure its just Air conditioning, could you wear a respiratory mask ? I wear a mask when cleaning heavy dusk and it helps.
Yes it does happen with the heating aswell nose completely blocks after a few hours, any smoke causes me to cough. It seems anywhere that air and dust or dirt is forcefully moving.
I did buy masks but I wear glasses so its quite annoying.0 -
Sol_down_on_carbs wrote: »I think tracking down possible allergens would be more helpful than trying to find magic food. You might also try stress busters like exercise or meditation. Do you sleep well?
My allergen seems to be environmental, I've been going to the doctors for years.
I do exercise and go to the gym.
My sleep is bad when sinus problems get too much, but the operation stopped the nose being as bad
Before that I was getting a few hours sleep a night if any.
I feel for you, and have the same issues...As someone mentioned above, avoiding milk and almost all grains has gone a long way towards lowering the number of sinus attacks/sessions I have. (Grains were cut out for other health reasons, win win!) My worst sinus attacks seem to be during the night, when the furnace or AC is going. The only thing that really helps me is to take a Sinutab, OR a 24 hr Claritin for allergies....both help ALOT, and very quickly, which is important if you've been suffering. . I know we don't want to be dependant on pills, but sleeping is very important to both our physical and emotional health, as is having a work day that doesn't leave you literally in tears. Good luck!! xp0 -
thorsmom01 wrote: »I agree that seeing a specialist would be a better starting place.
Contact a doctor that specializes in nasal / allergy issues and have him run the appropriate tests.
@Sol_down_on_carbs I know that I have come up with a few suggestions and I'm glad you think that they might be of help.....but I should have prefaced my ideas with what has been said above too.
It sounds as though you have done the rounds of Doctors and having an Op. that didn't work must have been awful for you but have you don't mention whether you have had tests done that actually identify your triggers and then go through desensitizing.....
I did this a couple of decades ago.....came back I was allergic to everything they tested me for except one, I went through the shots and I 'think' that they did help....at least then I had an idea of what I could/could not avoid if possible. I would like to think surely the testing and help has progressed in recent years.
The only other bright light I can think to say at this point is that many people (Hubby included) find that as they get older their sensitivities lessen and the infections etc subside.....hopefully that will happen for you.
This problem can be such a battle, often one infection seems to knock your general health around so much that you end up having a spate of them in a row and that's bloody terrible to say the least.....also there is the joy of seasonal changes that exacerbate your snuffliness too.
If dodgey air con makes things worse for you have you thought of a personal vapouriser that you can add sinus clearing medications to so that can be run and compensate for the drying effects and germ recycling of the air con?? Just a thought
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I think tracking down possible allergens would be more helpful than trying to find magic food. You might also try stress busters like exercise or meditation. Do you sleep well?
I had chronic sinus problems some years ago arising after I had experienced prolonged and intense stress. It went away as time went by thankfully. Mine was worst at night so I suspected dust mite allergies were part of the problem. I washed my sheets and pillowcases daily.
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I have been able to decrease my asthma and sinus problems through a yeast free diet. I have found a number of medical journals that link yeast/mold allergies to both asthma symptoms and inflammation (sinuses included). I'm on the wait list for an allergy test to confirm this. I've also read that dairy, sugar, gluten, red meat, and processed foods (particularily fried foods) can cause these symptoms too. It might be worth cutting out one group at a time for a week or so and monitoring for any symptom changes.0
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I know the mask can be annoying and embarrassing to wear , but it might be helpful for you. Since you said all forced air causes this reaction, I would definitely invest in a good respiration mask.
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HippySkoppy wrote: »thorsmom01 wrote: »I agree that seeing a specialist would be a better starting place.
Contact a doctor that specializes in nasal / allergy issues and have him run the appropriate tests.
@Sol_down_on_carbs I know that I have come up with a few suggestions and I'm glad you think that they might be of help.....but I should have prefaced my ideas with what has been said above too.
It sounds as though you have done the rounds of Doctors and having an Op. that didn't work must have been awful for you but have you don't mention whether you have had tests done that actually identify your triggers and then go through desensitizing.....
I did this a couple of decades ago.....came back I was allergic to everything they tested me for except one, I went through the shots and I 'think' that they did help....at least then I had an idea of what I could/could not avoid if possible. I would like to think surely the testing and help has progressed in recent years.
The only other bright light I can think to say at this point is that many people (Hubby included) find that as they get older their sensitivities lessen and the infections etc subside.....hopefully that will happen for you.
This problem can be such a battle, often one infection seems to knock your general health around so much that you end up having a spate of them in a row and that's bloody terrible to say the least.....also there is the joy of seasonal changes that exacerbate your snuffliness too.
If dodgey air con makes things worse for you have you thought of a personal vapouriser that you can add sinus clearing medications to so that can be run and compensate for the drying effects and germ recycling of the air con?? Just a thought
I havent had tests for allergy, maybe because the trigger is so obvious drs havent suggested it and I have been to an ENT... I have had xrays and other things and from that I know I do not asthma and my sinuses are not yet damaged. yet...
I haven't heard of a personal vapouriser, but I will look into that. I do have a vapouriser thing by vix at home and put medications in that sometimes.0 -
thorsmom01 wrote: »I know the mask can be annoying and embarrassing to wear , but it might be helpful for you. Since you said all forced air causes this reaction, I would definitely invest in a good respiration mask.
Might have to wear one at uni, half the building is okay but then there is the workshop block where I just end up in coughing constantly.0 -
DeserveVictory wrote: »I have been able to decrease my asthma and sinus problems through a yeast free diet. I have found a number of medical journals that link yeast/mold allergies to both asthma symptoms and inflammation (sinuses included). I'm on the wait list for an allergy test to confirm this. I've also read that dairy, sugar, gluten, red meat, and processed foods (particularily fried foods) can cause these symptoms too. It might be worth cutting out one group at a time for a week or so and monitoring for any symptom changes.
I have read that about the meat too and dairy. They are large source of my calories. I can switch red meat to white and fish but im not sure how to compensate for dairy. I eat yoghurt and cheese a lot.0 -
Nasacort Allergy 24 hour spray!
I use it and it works very well. It used to be prescription but now is over the counter. It's not a typical nasal spray, it's a corticosteroid. I use is until my nose is better and then I slowly wean off. It's amazing!0 -
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you can drink and inhale peppermint and/or ginger tea or gum and that will help clear the sinuses
Spicy foods can help too.
Obviously it won't cure sinusitis but can help clear sinus passages temporarily which may help prevent "clogging" in the future0 -
Sol_down_on_carbs wrote: »Have you done tests for the most common allergens? It would give you a starting point. The alternative is to get on complete elimination diet (you will have to google for the full list) and if things improve then start reintroducing foods until you figure out what was the problem.
I haven't had tests done, what seems to have caused and aggravates the sinus problems, is air conditioning, I cant really cope in places with bad aircons, and I find after awhile of being at work and uni my body just literally breaks down from all the sinus problems.
All I can really do is take cough drops, nasal sprays (which dont really work at all) and ear drops, which is costing me a small fortune of around £50 a month. So I'm hoping diet can toughen my body up somehow.
Sounds like mold. I had sinus problems all the time in the 90s and it turned out our building had Stachybotrys chartarum, the "sick building syndrome" mold. I am much better now than I was then, but still have chemical sensitivities as a result, 15 years after I stopped working there.
Do you know of water damage to your building? Do you have a flat roof? Are other people in your building also more sick that usual? (Maybe not as often as you, but more sick than normal.)0 -
catscats222 wrote: »mold - why not test it. in the states you can buy a cheap test kit at a store like home depot
that place you work at could be dangerous to your health
taking a multi-vitamin with extra C could bring some benefit
I wouldn't get a cheap mold test. This is a potential worker's comp issue. I'd spring for an actual indoor air quality expert, and not one hired by my employer.
When I moved back to Massachusetts, I moved in with my mom for a few months, and had to move out because it felt moldy. She was getting sick a lot. She had mold remediation specialists come in, do tests, identify problem areas and solutions, and no more problems.
Yes, it was expensive, but air quality is a very important issue.0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »Sol_down_on_carbs wrote: »Have you done tests for the most common allergens? It would give you a starting point. The alternative is to get on complete elimination diet (you will have to google for the full list) and if things improve then start reintroducing foods until you figure out what was the problem.
I haven't had tests done, what seems to have caused and aggravates the sinus problems, is air conditioning, I cant really cope in places with bad aircons, and I find after awhile of being at work and uni my body just literally breaks down from all the sinus problems.
All I can really do is take cough drops, nasal sprays (which dont really work at all) and ear drops, which is costing me a small fortune of around £50 a month. So I'm hoping diet can toughen my body up somehow.
Sounds like mold. I had sinus problems all the time in the 90s and it turned out our building had Stachybotrys chartarum, the "sick building syndrome" mold. I am much better now than I was then, but still have chemical sensitivities as a result, 15 years after I stopped working there.
Do you know of water damage to your building? Do you have a flat roof? Are other people in your building also more sick that usual? (Maybe not as often as you, but more sick than normal.)
This place i'm working now the air conditioning isn't terrible, It takes about half the day for me to feel effected by it. Nobody around me is sick. My previous job the air conditioning was worse, thats where it started but that place has moved offices now. I don't remember anyone being unwell other then when the seasons bugs go around.
Places I'm definately feel it strongly are at university, in peoples cars and on buses.
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@Sol_down_on_carbs, I will pipe in as well about the dairy. I had frequent sinus infections due to stress and poor ventilation conditions (filters never changed, moldy ducts, managers who don't care about health, etc.) at work, and cutting dairy at the advice of my nutritionist helped greatly. I can do some yogurt or cheese, but I used to drink a lot of dairy milk. Once I cut it down (I miss you moo milk!), the frequency dropped, but not completely. As I said, poor conditions at work.
Try a saline mist. You can pick one up at any drug store (these tend to be overpriced for what they actually are), or make your own. See http://www.webmd.com/allergies/saline-spray. You'd simply need a bottle that could deliver it as a mist, so you may want to purchase on the first time. Keep the sinuses moist. This has been the most helpful for me. Also, there are saline rinses that are meant to be run through the sinuses to clean them. I find this as good "preventative maintenance" as well as can help stop an infection before it becomes full blown. That saline solution described in the link above can be used as a rinse as well.
As others have addressed, stress. It plays a part. When I have a streak of bad days at work I can definitely feel an infection coming on (I don't know if it's common, I cant find info anywhere and my doctor looks at me odd, but I can sense this odd 'odor' which I now call an infection smell). Once the stress reduces, it subsides, if I'm lucky before a full blown infection forms.0 -
I would definitely do these things first.
Go get an allergy test done. It's a prick test either on your arm or your back,
Go get an ALCAT test done. It's a blood test which will tell you if you have any food intolerances.
This will tell you pretty definitively if it's something you can fix or something you are eating causing the problem.
My next suggestion is to keep and live in a clean environment free of dust. I suggest getting a HEPA filter if possible (my boyfriend and i use one and it's fantastic). I also suggest a humidifies or a defuser near your bed when you're sleeping.0 -
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Sol_down_on_carbs wrote: »I think tracking down possible allergens would be more helpful than trying to find magic food. You might also try stress busters like exercise or meditation. Do you sleep well?
My allergen seems to be environmental, I've been going to the doctors for years.
I do exercise and go to the gym.
My sleep is bad when sinus problems get too much, but the operation stopped the nose being as bad
Before that I was getting a few hours sleep a night if any.
Then either you need a way to control the environment (open a window for example, or take breaks to walk outside) or you need to discuss with your dr about antihistamins you can take daily. If you already know what is the cause of your problems it is pointless to try changing something completely irrelevant, like diet.0
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