Brittany Anas and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article
If you’re sneezy or stuffy, you’re likely to blame a seasonal cold or deduce that an allergen like ragweed must be blooming, releasing its pesky pollen in the air and wreaking havoc on your sinuses. But if your congestion doesn’t subside and you feel like you’re single-handedly keeping Kleenex in business, there could be something deeper at play that has nothing to do with what’s in-bloom. or the latest cold circulating
Pro Tip:Allergens may actually be what’s causing you to be stuffy. I recommend checking out a site like IQ Air, which can give you a pollen and allergen forecast for your zip code
In fact, everything from gut imbalances and vitamin deficiencies to a hard-to-diagnose histamine intolerance could be to blame for your persistent sniffles. Ahead, naturopathic doctors and a registered dietitian share six possible culprits of chronic congestion, and what to do about each of them
Advertisement
ABOUT OUR EXPERTS: Board certified naturopathic doctor Dr. Lana Butner, N.D., is the founder of Dr. Lana Wellness; Dr. Revée Barbour, N.D., M.S., a licensed naturopathic and functional medicine doctor based in Sacramento; and Kelsey Butler, R.D., is a dietitian
1. Histamine Intolerance
Histamine is a compound that the immune system produces when your body is having an allergic reaction, explains board certified naturopathic doctor Dr. Lana Butner, N.D., founder of Dr. Lana Wellness. “Having too much histamine in the body can cause the immune system to think it needs to elicit an immune response to an allergy,” she says.
This can be a problem when an enzyme called diamine oxidase (DAO), which is responsible for degrading histamine within the intestines, doesn’t function properly and histamine remains in the body in higher concentrations than it should, Butner says. “High concentrations of histamine can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, constipation, abdominal pain, headaches, dizziness, and, you guessed it, nasal congestion,” she explains
But where does all of that histamine come from?Several foods are naturally high in histamine while others help release histamine stored in the body. Since high-histamine foods are pretty wide-ranging, many people struggle to pinpoint that their symptoms are, in fact, due to high levels of histamine
Foods high in histamine include fermented foods, canned foods, acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits, avocado, dried fruits, mushrooms, smoked fish, anything that contains vinegar, pickled foods, yogurt, and spicy foods, Butner says. Meanwhile, foods that trigger histamine release include alcohol, bananas, papaya, citrus, chocolate, and wheat germ
Advertisement
Solve it: Since there’s no specific diagnostic test at this time to clinically diagnose histamine intolerance, it is oftentimes considered after ruling out allergies or other conditions.
If you get to that point, your solution is to stick to low-histamine foods and avoid high-histamine foods, Butner says. If that is not possible for you, you can take DAO supplements when eating high histamine or histamine-stimulating foods
2. Mold Exposure
At the very least, mold exposure can cause chronic nasal congestion because the spores mold overgrowth releases into the air irritate the linings of your sinus cavities and your throat, according to Dr. Revée Barbour, N.D., M.S., a licensed naturopathic and functional medicine doctor based in Sacramento. On top of congestion, exposure can also lead to debilitating symptoms including fatigue, brain fog, muscle and joint pain, sleep disturbances, and other inflammatory conditions. In some people, mold can even cause Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, a condition that causes repeated episodes of anaphylaxis (a serious allergic reaction).
If you get a whiff of mildew anywhere in your home, beware. Places that could potentially be damp or moist—think leaky pipes, drainage spots where water could pool, or leaks in the roof—are some of the most hospitable to mold growth, Barbour says
Advertisement
Solve it: Have your home tested by certified indoor environmental mold specialists to confirm if there is an overgrowth present—especially if you’ve experienced flooding or leakage. If your home tests positive, you’ll consult with them about mold remediation. You’ll also want to contact your doctor so you can complete mold allergy testing and discuss treatment to help resolve your symptoms.
Unfortunately, treating mold illness isn’t a quick fix. In addition to in-home mold remediation, some initial treatments may include nasal sprays containing saline and xylitol, as well as mycotoxin binders that prevent the toxic compounds produced by mold from being absorbed in the gut and bloodstream, says Barbour. A low-histamine diet, sauna therapy, and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy may also be among some initial treatments, he says.
“Due to the variable and severe nature of mold-illness, it’s best to work with a doctor specializing in mold illness because starting treatments too fast or strongly can make symptoms worse,” he says
3. Micronutrient Deficiencies
Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients help support our immune and respiratory function, so certain deficiencies may leave you feeling less than your best in those areas, Barbour explains. Specifically, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to chronic congestion.
Solve it:Barbour recommends having your vitamin D levels checked by your doctor and consulting with them or a dietitian on how to raise your levels and restore balance. Ideally, you’d get vitamin D from sun exposure (it’s pretty tough to find in foods, but you can find it in items like beef liver, mushrooms, sardines, and fortified foods). But if you’re not getting enough rays, you could benefit from vitamin D supplements. Check with a dietitian or your doctor to see if a Vitamin D supplement works with your diet.
4. Gut Imbalances
Sure, you know that gut microbiome imbalances can cause digestive issues—but they can also contribute to your pesky congestion. When good bacteria is reduced in our body from exposure to stress, a poor diet, antibiotics, or other reasons, microbial imbalances are created, he explains. “Then this reduces our overall immune protection and can promote harmful bacteria overgrowths linked to numerous health issues, including congestion,” Barbour says
Advertisement
In fact, if you’re experiencing chronic congestion in addition to digestive complaints like frequent bloating and changes in regularity, bad breath that’s not solved by brushing your teeth and regular dental visits, and strong cravings for sugary foods, your gut microbiome is likely off-kilter, he explains.
Solve it: If your gut is the reason for your stuffy nose, start by reducing or eliminating your intake of potentially mucus-producing foods such as dairy, refined sugar, gluten, red meat, and alcohol, Barbour suggests. Instead, opt for foods that are high in antioxidants, micronutrients and fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, fermented foods, beans, and gluten-free grains. You might also consider incorporating broad-spectrum probiotics to support those good gut bugs, he says
5. Lactose
Speaking of those mucus-producing foods, dairy can contribute to congestion in some people even if it doesn’t cause any digestive upset, according to dietitian Kelsey Butler, R.D
The culprit here is lactose, a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products, she says. It can have a mucus-thickening effect that can contribute to respiratory irritation
Solve it:If lactose is contributing to your congestion, you’ll likely notice your symptoms get worse within 20 minutes to an hour of eating dairy, Butler says. So, if you think dairy might be behind your frustratingly stuffed-up nasal passages, consider avoiding it for two weeks and assessing your symptoms. From there, you might choose to replace your typical dairy products with alternatives like lactose-free milk, coconut yogurt, and cashew cheese. Just note that if you docut dairy out of your diet, you’ll need to seek out important nutrients like protein, calcium, and phosphorus from other foods.
6. Inflammatory Foods
Eating inflammatory foods—think anything heavily processed, including white bread, pastries, candy, and more—can also cause congestion, Butner says. You see, these foods raise levels of inflammation markers in the body, which the body responds to with an immune response, she explains. This response typically involves mucus production and, therefore, nasal congestion
Advertisement
Solve it:Keeping a food journal that includes how you feel after eating certain foods could help you pinpoint whether inflammatory foods are to blame for your stuffy nose, Butner suggests. Pay attention to what you’re drinking, too, as soda and other sugary drinks can also cause inflammation Incorporating more known anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish, leafy greens, and berries is also a good move
7. Pregnancy
You may know about the more common symptoms of pregnancy like nausea, heartburn, and frequent urination. But many pregnant women are surprised to learn that hormonal changes during pregnancy can also leave them feeling surprisingly congested, even if they’re not sick or suffering from allergies? This condition is often called “pregnancy rhinitis,” and it’s largely driven by increased levels of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones can cause the blood vessels in your nasal passages to expand, leading to swelling and excess mucus production.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, pregnancy rhinitis often comes on during the third trimester
Solve it: Stuffiness due to pregnancy usually goes away within the first couple weeks after having your baby. But how do you deal with the discomfort while pregnant? Your doctor may recommend nasal sprays and rinses, but always check with them to make sure even over-the-counter treatments are safe for your use during pregnancy
Advertisement
Exercising, according to the Cleveland Clinic, may help, too, because getting your blood flowing can help bring down blood vessel swelling. Again, always check with your doctor about which exercises are safe during pregnancy
Sleeping slightly upright and drinking plenty of water can also help reduce the stuffiness
In the end, persistent congestion isn’t always as simple as a seasonal cold or allergies, and it can often point to deeper underlying issues within the body. From histamine intolerance and mold exposure to nutrient deficiencies, gut imbalances, and dietary triggers, there are many possible reasons why your symptoms may linger
Paying attention to patterns in your environment, diet, and overall health can help you uncover the root cause
Advertisement
In some cases, by working with your doctor and making lifestyle adjustments, you can move beyond temporary relief and address the
Brittany Anas Creator
Brittany Anas is an award-winning journalist covering all the sweet things in life, from travel to home to food and beverage. She is based in Denver, Colorado.
Creators are not employed by Yahoo. Views expressed by creators do not reflect the opinions and position of Yahoo.Learn how to become a creator.
