5 dishes people with sinusitis should avoid

Sinusitis is a common ENT disease that affects people of all ages. The disease easily recurs and becomes chronic, affecting the patient’s quality of life. In addition to complying with the treatment prescribed by the doctor, the patient needs to have a reasonable diet.

In there, 5 food groups to avoidincluding:

Foods that contain stimulants, such as coffee, beer, wine or carbonated drinks. These drinks cause dehydration, making the mucus in the sinus area thicken, adversely affecting the push out of the stagnant mucus in the sinuses. Moreover, these drinks are also prone to cause gastroesophageal reflux disease – oesophagitis. Acid in the stomach when reflux is not good for the lining of the ear, nose and throat.

Milk and dairy products. Using a lot of these foods increases the amount of mucus in the nose and the consistency of the mucus, which clogs the sinuses. Because mucus can affect the circulation of gas, creating favorable conditions for bacteria to exist and grow in the sinus cavity and cause inflammation.

Fatty fast foods, such as hamburgers, fried chicken, sandwiches, pizzas… contain a lot of fat, which will increase mucus secretion and clog sinus cavities, aggravating difficult symptoms. in patients with sinusitis.

Hot spicy foods, spicy dishes are also easy to cause acid reflux. Acidic gastric juice causes throat irritation, pus stagnation in the sinus cavity more. In addition, they also irritate the nasopharyngeal mucosa, worsen inflammation, and increase the risk of infection. The result is severe sinusitis, more uncomfortable symptoms.

Cold items such as ice, water in the refrigerator, ice cream… are the causes of irritation to the mucous membranes of the pharynx and respiratory tract, making sinusitis easy to recur, due to sudden temperature changes. suddenly. Eating warm will be more beneficial. People with sinusitis should also limit allergenic foods such as beef, crab, shrimp, peanuts…

On the other hand, people with sinusitis should increase their intake of foods containing a lot of omega 3 fats, which help prevent inflammatory reactions, reduce swelling and discomfort, and increase resistance such as mackerel and fish. Salmon, herring, walnuts… Some foods contain antioxidants, antihistamines, and natural anti-inflammatory agents such as garlic, onion, ginger, turmeric, etc. to help improve sinusitis symptoms. . However, you should not use too much, it will heat up the body.

In addition, vitamin C in bell peppers, broccoli, papaya, strawberries, cauliflower, oranges, guava… and soy foods help provide calcium, essential minerals for anti-allergic function, strengthen the body’s resistance.

Drink 1.5 to 2 liters of water every day. When the body is sufficiently hydrated, the mucus will thin out, making it easier to cough up phlegm, blow your nose, and expel secretions to help clear your nose, relieve congestion, and headaches. The appropriate time to drink water is when you wake up, after exercising a lot, after meals, half an hour before going to bed and drinking water when thirsty. When drinking should be divided into small sips and drink slowly.

Associate Professor, Doctor Luu Thi Hiep

Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital – Campus 3