Coffee may irritate and dry your sinuses. If you have sinus congestion, irritation or other problems with your sinuses, avoid coffee if at all possible. During times of illness, keep your sinuses moist. When your sinuses are dry and irritated, it makes it easier for bacteria and infection to invade your nasal cavity and take over.
Coffee
Coffee is a diuretic, which causes you to urinate more frequently than you ordinarily would. This can lead to water loss, including moisture loss within your nasal cavity, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology. The main component in coffee that acts as a diuretic is caffeine. Caffeine is also found in other foods and beverages such as chocolate, tea and soda.
Sinuses
Your sinuses need moisture to help keep the nasal cavity from becoming inflamed and irritated. When you have a cold, sinus congestion or a sinus infection, moisture is very important. The inflammation and irritation can make your nasal cavity more susceptible to bacteria, fungi and other infectious material. This can lead to illness or worsen sinus conditions. If your sinuses become too inflamed and irritated, you can develop a sinus headache. A sinus headache leaves a feeling of pain and pressure around your sinus cavity, eyes and forehead. The pain and pressure may worsen if you bend over or tilt your head down.
Prevention and Solution
Avoid coffee and other caffeinated items. Opt for decaffeinated coffee if you must absolutely have your coffee. While it may be tempting to have some caffeine to get your day started, it’s not worth the sinus complications that can arise from it. Do not drink coffee until sinus congestion has cleared and the moisture is fully restored within your nasal cavity. A dry or irritated sinus cavity may feel stuffy, itchy and inflamed.
Home Remedies
If your sinuses become dry due to coffee or other caffeinated products, there are ways to restore the moisture. Sometimes the caffeine can zap the moisture so quickly from your body that you do not realize how many fluids you’ve lost until it’s too late. Drink plenty of water as soon as you notice dryness in your nasal cavity. The water will help restore moisture and it will loosen congestion, MayoClinic.com reports. A humidifier can also help restore moisture to the air in a small or enclosed room such as a bedroom or home office. Nasal sprays and drops can help restore moisture and combat stuffiness and sinus congestion.
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