Sinus Pressure - The Allergies and Food Connections

Could allergies or some foods be the main cause of your sinus problems, especially sinus pressure? Finding out could mean less suffering plus saving time and expense. Here we will go to the cause and effect relationship that could exist among them; and explain a simple way to find out. Finally we will make some suggestions that may help keep your sinus pressure at bay.

What really is sinus pressure?

Whenever anything in the environment--pollens, pollutants, chemicals, dust, smog--irritate the membranes lining the nasal and sinus cavities, the body tries to remove the irritant by producing an extra amount of mucus to moisten and protect these membranes. Additional secretion is also caused by virus infection or "colds." In either case the mucus is so abundant that it cannot flow fast enough from the sinus into the nasal cavity and thus it accumulates. The irritation of those membranes causes them to swell, blocking the small opening through which mucus and air flow. The result is sinus pressure.

The allergy connection

Allergy is an abnormal reaction of the body to a substance--an allergen. It can be inhaled, ingested or come in contact with the skin. The allergic reaction can be severe and accompanied by a large amount of sinus mucus and swelling of the sinus membranes, which blocks the sinus opening and causes pressure and pain. Two common environmental allergens are house dust and pollen. Whenever sinus pressure is caused by allergies the allergen involved must be ascertained. This is done with precision by allergy testing by a physician. If an environmental allergen is identified injections can be given, in increasing doses, to desensitize the body from the allergen. Sinus pressure would then disappear gradually. In less severe cases the use of an antihistamine is often sufficient.

The food connection

Empirical--derived from experience--data strongly suggests the connection between certain foods and some sinus problems. As a former sinus sufferer I can attest to that. Whenever the use of these foods was discontinued for a period of time the sinus condition disappeared, until they were used again. You could try this approach and judge the results for yourself.

Sinus pressure prevention

The best way of dealing with an ailment is to prevent it. Reducing the use of or dropping certain mucus producing foods would make sense. When allergies may be the cause of the problem, histamine containing or producing foods should be avoided. Having this information makes possible an adjustment in the diet.

Often the solution to sinus pressure has been found by just adjusting the diet and using additionally some simple remedy, whether medicinal or natural. Doing some experimentation, safely, with a good amount of plain common sense added to it, was the way some of us found the cure to sinus pressure. So, give it a try and you could surprise yourself with the results.