One of the most common ailments that affect a large number of people during the change of seasons is nasal congestion. Although this condition might seem harmless, it can cause serious discomfort and can disrupt the daily routine of a person. It is important that one must not ignore nasal congestion because it might turn into a serious ailment if proper care is not taken.

An overview of nasal congestion
Nasal congestion, more commonly known as “stuffy nose”, is a health condition that occurs when the nasal tissues and blood vessels become swollen with excess fluid. This results in a stuffy feeling in the nasal cavity and can also result in a runny nose, aggravating the discomfort. This condition has serious implications for children and infants as it can disrupt their sleep or make it difficult for them to ingest food.

Causes of nasal congestion
Nasal congestion is usually caused by anything that can lead to the inflammation of nasal tissues like infections, allergens, or irritants. Some people might suffer from a runny nose without any specific cause inducing it. In many cases, nasal congestion is caused by the consumption of certain food products. Resultantly, it becomes important to identify such food products and restrict their consumption.

Foods that can cause nasal congestion
There are some foods that can cause swelling of the mucus lining in the throat and nose, aggravating the condition of nasal congestion. If one is suffering from nasal congestion, it becomes important to avoid certain food products as they cause discomfort while breathing:

  • Sugary foods: Food products that are rich in refined sugar result in an increase in the yeast and bacteria levels in the body, leading to congestion in the nose. Foods like chocolates, candies, and packaged foods are rich in refined sugar and should be avoided.
  • Milk products: Consumption of milk and certain dairy products results in the thickening of the mucus lining, which, in turn, leads to the growth of allergens in the body. Consumption of full cream milk, butter, clarified butter, and other dairy products must be regulated.
  • Red meat: As red meat is a rich source of protein, it leads to excessive mucus formation in the nose, thereby leading to nasal congestion. Consumption of red meat when one is suffering from sinus can worsen the condition.
  • Nuts: Certain nuts act as allergens in people, which leads to worsening of the sinus and leads to excessive mucus creation. Nuts like peanuts and cashew nuts must not be consumed when one is suffering from sinus as it leads to a swelling of the nasal passage.
  • Seafood: Consumption of fish that has high oil content like salmon and sardine can lead to inflammation and swelling in the nasal passage. This poses difficulty in swallowing and breathing, aggravating the nasal congestion.

By avoiding these foods, one can significantly reduce the chances of nasal congestion. If suffering from a stuffy nose, some simple home remedies can help, or one can consult a doctor for medications if the home remedies don’t help.