Thanksgiving is here again with all the holiday favorites: roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, green beans and sweet pecan or pumpkin pie. But if you’re battling a sinus infection, you might be worried about how congestion will affect your taste buds.
Let’s explore what causes sinus infections, how they impact flavor and what you can do to reduce congestion and savor the big dinner.
Why Do Sinus Infections Happen?
Sinus infections, or sinusitis, occur when the tissues in your sinuses become inflamed, blocking mucus flow and causing pressure, pain and congestion. Sinusitis can be triggered by factors including:
- Colds and flu
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Deviated septum
- Nasal polyps
- Smoking
How Do Sinus Infections Impact Taste?
When your sinuses are clogged, the mucus can block the smell receptors in your nose, interfering with your sense of smell. Without it, food loses its depth and complexity. For example, the savory scent of roasted turkey or the cinnamon-spiced aroma of pumpkin pie may smell dulled. If you can’t smell them, the flavors seem mild or unrecognizable—explaining why a reduced sense of taste is common among sinus infection patients.
Quick Tips to Relieve Sinus Congestion Before Thanksgiving
A few simple ways to relieve congestion and reclaim your sense of taste include:
- Treat the root cause. Make an appointment with one of our ENT providers to pinpoint and treat the cause of your sinus infection. In some cases, they may recommend you wait for the infection to clear up. If you frequently develop sinus infections, they’ll help you find the right treatment path to minimize reoccurrence.
- Take short-term medication. Over-the-counter decongestants can provide short-term relief, but avoid using them for more than three days to prevent complications like prolonged congestion.
- Try home remedies. Home remedies like steam inhalation, sinus flushing with a saline solution and drinking plenty of liquids like water, herbal tea and Berry Blendz juices can help thin and drain mucus for easier breathing.
If a sinus infection is stopping you from enjoying your favorite foods this holiday season, contact Alpine Ear Nose & Throat PC to make an appointment with one of our trusted ENT specialists to get to the root of your symptoms and find lasting relief.