Having sinus problems after going vegan

[Florina]

Hi,

I have eaten vegan foods for 2 weeks now, for health reasons.
On day 3 I got some cold-symptoms; sneezing, running nose (thin and clear snot) and sinus feeling dry. I have had these symptoms for 12 days now, and I am getting frustrated.
I don't have a fever and I don't feel sick, but rather irritated and out of place.
I have tried sinus-cleansing with the odd bottle-thingy and drinking hot lemonwater.
I don't usually have any kind of cold symptoms or sinus problems. Don't think I have had a cold for 10 years.
I can't think of anything else in my daily routines or surroundings that has changed in the last few weeks, other than my diet.

Can anyone offer tips, tricks, experiences or explanations to this?

Best wishes for you all,
Florina

[hoodedclawjen]

sounds a bit like an allergy nose reaction- sounds like mine, anyway.

what specifically have you been eating thats different? anything new, or in larger amounts than usual?

[LucidAnne]

if youve already tried the neti pot,
you might want to try a humidifier also.
when your nose/ sinuses get inflamed from dryness, you will get stuffy. and w/ the dry air, you would be more prone to getting sick as well.

if you dont have a humidifier, you can place a hot water pot on your wood stove or another heat source (radiator, for example) and allow the water to evaporate into the air. a moisturizing saline spray may help as well.

[Shamandura]

Maybe a new allergy? I would definately go for a doctors visit if you have been ill for that long. You could very well just have a common cold. Aside from a possible addition to what you normally eat, I definately wouldnt pinpoint going vegan as "the" cause.
Hope you feel better soon!

[Gita]

This is flu season and a lot of people are sick with various things. Saying that a switch to vegetarian food 2 weeks ago is the cause might be false attribution. If you still think it is an allergy, then simply take out the things that you haven't eaten before that you think may be the cause. For instance, are you eating more soy now? Like fake meat?

Using a neti pot is really good for nose problems.

[Shamandura]

However, I would be careful not to use the neti pot too much, it can really dry out your nose and cause nose bleeds. Try using maybe once a day. I use them when I am stuffed up, right before bed, so I can breath clearer at night. With that though, you need to be sure you can still breath through your nose first, or else you may end up choaking on the solution.
Be sure to use a humidifier like others mentioned; they really are better that most store bought medicines that give temporary relief. Last time I was ill, I tried those plug in menthol release deals(Sudacare Gentel vapors?, I think), that works great in combination with a warm-air humidifier.

[codemonkey]

It sounds to me like you have the same flu that's going around like crazy this year. I have it, my husband has it, my son has it, oddly my daughter doesn't have it, my mom has it, all my friends have it...

You get the idea. I've been calling it the plague.

[Gita]

However, I would be careful not to use the neti pot too much, it can really dry out your nose and cause nose bleeds.

Well if you put a ton of salt in it, it will. I use it every day in winter and have never had a nosebleed.

[Shamandura]

Well if you put a ton of salt in it, it will. I use it every day in winter and have never had a nosebleed.

True. Regardless of using less salt, I have still had problems with drying out my sinuses. I barely use the recommend amount of salt per dose with my neti pot. I am however have sensitive to what I use on my skin/medicines.

[healthyfreak]

You may simply be allergic to something in your new diet. I also have had something similar happen to me when I converted to vegan 1 years ago. I do miss and in/out burger now and then, but hey it is my decision. Anyway, when I converted to vegan, I started getting a mysterious rash on my neck region. I discovered that I was allergic to new seasoning that I now used when I prepare my food. I simply stop using that seasoning. I also found a great web site that discusses allergies and natural remedies for them. The site is at,

http://www.herbalintel.com/allergyrelief.php

I hope that helps you as much as it has help me get over my allergies. :up:

[Florina]

Wow... thanx for all your replies!

I checked, and there is no flu going around where I live (Denmark). Plus I don't feel sick or ill other than the sneezing.
Pretty much everything in my diet is new, or in larger amounts, so it's gonna be hard to figure out what it is, if it really is a food-allergy.

Funny thing is... as soon as I had written the post, it got better within the next few hours. It's still there, but down by something like 80% now, and still getting better.
...oO( Maybe it'll go away completely after this post ) - heh.

Thanx a lot for all your words, tho!

/Florina

[LucidAnne]

glad you are feeling better!

but i doubt it would be a food allergy/ intolerance if you have no other symptoms, like stomach/ gastro issues, or itchy tongue, hives, rash, etc.
hopefully it really is just a case of the sniffles.

[veg_blondie]

Also, make sure that whilst on your new diet you've been paying attention to nutrients/vitamins and such.
make sure your getting enough vitamin C, definitely helps prevent getting sick

[Jamie77]

Hi,

I have eaten vegan foods for 2 weeks now, for health reasons.
On day 3 I got some cold-symptoms; sneezing, running nose (thin and clear snot) and sinus feeling dry. I have had these symptoms for 12 days now, and I am getting frustrated.
I don't have a fever and I don't feel sick, but rather irritated and out of place.
I have tried sinus-cleansing with the odd bottle-thingy and drinking hot lemonwater.
I don't usually have any kind of cold symptoms or sinus problems. Don't think I have had a cold for 10 years.
I can't think of anything else in my daily routines or surroundings that has changed in the last few weeks, other than my diet.

Can anyone offer tips, tricks, experiences or explanations to this?

Best wishes for you all,
Florina


Do you eat a lot of soy? Sneezing and a running nose are both symptoms of a soy allergy. I get both of these symptoms as well as itching all over and a "weeping" rash on my lips. Try going to an allergist to rule that out. I'll be checking on this for myself at the end of the week.

[hardybar]

Well if you put a ton of salt in it, it will. I use it every day in winter and have never had a nosebleed.
I just started using the netipot and i've had two nosebleeds in 3 days, after having none for many years! I use the pre-measured packets that came with the netipot and I use distilled water. It is not unpleasant to use and I seem to smell things more intently afterward, but I am not sold on its use, considering the nosebleed probelm. I use once a day and I think I will back off on that regimen. Anyone else have the problem?

[hoodedclawjen]

I just started using the netipot and i've had two nosebleeds in 3 days, after having none for many years! I use the pre-measured packets that came with the netipot and I use distilled water. It is not unpleasant to use and I seem to smell things more intently afterward, but I am not sold on its use, considering the nosebleed probelm. I use once a day and I think I will back off on that regimen. Anyone else have the problem?

i think i'd go and check that out with a doctor, myself. maybe your nasal lining is just really fragile or easily irritated, but there might be a reason behind that thats worth investigating.

[LucidAnne]

hardy...if you aregetting nosebleeds w/ the neti pot, dont use it so much. You may not need it each day...to maintain your nasal health,you prob can just use it a few times a week instead. If its cold or allergy season, u can increase the frequency asneeded.
jen is right, you may have more sensitive or thin nasal passages...nosebleeds indicate irritation. You can try using a less salty solution as well, use half a pack,for example.