Grand Canyon Times

Many Americans associate St. Patrick’s Day with a good time — eating, drinking, and having fun — but the day after might not be so good, especially if you’re inclined to experience sinus problems.

Sometimes, if you overindulge with the celebrations, you might wake up with trouble breathing.

"Acid normally habitats in the stomach to aid in breaking down the food we eat. However, overproduction of this acid can take place which then leads to the acid more readily moving upwards into the throat region. This can be exacerbated by certain foods or beverages we partake in such as coffee, black tea, chocolate, dark sodas, caffeine products in general, red sauces, and citrus drinks. “Explains Diana Ruiloba, a Physician Assistant at Arizona Breathe Free.

Medical guides list three things that can make sinusitis flare up, and some of those pertain to holiday celebrations. The contributing factors are: acid reflux from food, alcohol-induced inflammation, and seasonal allergies.

A 2021 study by the BMC Pulmonary Medicine journal showed that acid reflux can aggravate nasal issues, and eating party foods is more likely to result in reflux.

Alcohol can prompt an allergic reaction that results in sinus inflammation that impairs nasal breath, according to ScienceDirect. 

Those who suffer environmental allergies know that springtime brings worsening symptoms, a report from the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology said. 

It’s not just the sinuses that are affected, Lee said.

"There are medications to help management acid reflux, however the best long-term solution for this is diet modification," said Ruiloba, "I like to encourage patients to not eat too late and not go to bed right after eating dinner."

If your symptoms get worse, and the problem lasts, you might want to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist. You can take this quiz to find out if medical intervention can help.