Grand Canyon Times

• Sinus infections can lead to a loss of taste and smell.

• Losing the ability to taste and smell can cause a decreased quality of life for the patient.

• Treating the sinus infection can restore the patient's sense of taste and smell.

Dr. Brian Lee of Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center says that some patients are so used to living with sinus problems that they are surprised by how much their quality of life improves after they receive treatment. 

"A lot of patients who come in have suffered with these issues for so long that they either never knew or forgot what it was like just to be able to breathe through their nose," Lee told the Grand Canyon Times. "And once we get them all taken care of and get everything opened up, kind of that 'aha' moment that they get when they take a breath through their nose, they're like, 'Oh my gosh, I've never been able to breathe like that.' It never gets old to see that look on their face when they actually take a full breath in through their nose."

A survey conducted by Taste of Home found that the most popular foods found at a holiday dinner table are roast or mashed potatoes, turkey, bread rolls and stuffing. Those who suffer from sinus infections, however, might not be able to enjoy their meals this holiday season because of a loss of smell and taste, according to the Houston ENT website.

Congestion is a common symptom of sinus infections, and a stuffy nose can contribute to the loss of a sense of taste by blocking access to the part of the brain that processes flavors.

Those who lose their ability to smell and taste often experience a loss of appetite, which leads to poor nutrition, which could then lead to depression, according to Mayo Clinic. Adding excess salt or sugar to food to try to make it taste better could exacerbate existing problems with diabetes or high blood sugar. 

To learn more about the symptoms of sinus infections, take this this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.