Diet Triggers to Avoid
Nasal polyps are small, non-cancerous growths inside the nose that can make it hard to breathe. Certain foods can make these polyps worse. Let’s look at the worst foods for nasal polyps and why they are bad.
6 Worst Foods for Nasal Polyps
1. Dairy Products
Dairy, like milk, cheese and yogurt, can make your body produce more mucus. This extra mucus can clog your nose and make nasal polyps worse. If you have nasal polyps, it’s a good idea to avoid or limit dairy products.
2. Processed Meats
Processed meats, such as bacon, sausage and ham, contain preservatives and additives that can trigger inflammation. Inflammation can make nasal polyps grow larger or become more irritating. These meats also have high amounts of salt, which can dry out your nose and make it harder to breathe.
Many people rely on preventative and rescue medication, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for alternative methods for asthma.
3. Sugary Foods
Foods with a lot of sugar, like candy, cakes and soda, can lead to inflammation. Sugar can also weaken your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off the infections that can cause nasal polyps to get worse.
4. Alcohol
Alcohol, especially beer and wine, can cause your nasal passages to swell. This swelling can make it harder to breathe if you have nasal polyps. Alcohol can also trigger allergies, which can make polyps worse.
5. Spicy Foods
Spicy foods, like hot peppers and spicy sauces, can cause your nose to produce more mucus. This extra mucus can make nasal polyps more bothersome and can also irritate your nasal passages.
6. Gluten
Gluten, found in wheat, barley and rye, can cause inflammation in some people. If you are sensitive to gluten, eating foods that contain it can make your nasal polyps worse.
Treatment Options for Nasal Polyps
If you have nasal polyps, seeing a doctor for treatment is important. Here are some common treatments:
- Nasal sprays: Steroid nasal sprays can reduce inflammation and shrink polyps.
- Medications: Your doctor might give you pills to reduce swelling and treat the infection.
- Surgery: If nasal sprays and medications don’t help, surgery might be needed to remove the polyps.
- Avoid triggers: Avoid foods and allergens that can worsen polyps. This includes the foods listed above, as well as dust, pollen and smoke.
Eating Smart
Taking care of your diet and following your doctor’s advice can help you manage nasal polyps and breathe easier.
