You’ve probably noticed that drinking often makes you feel warm. This occurs because alcohol triggers expansion of the blood vessels near you — body surfaces — including the lining of you nose and sinuses. This extra blood flow can lead to temporary swelling and increased mucus production, potentially provoking nasal and sinus congestion. However, there are times when the body produces excess phlegm, leading to discomfort and annoyance. This overproduction can be the body’s response to a variety of triggers, including upper respiratory infections like the common cold, allergies, or even changes in the environment.
Symptoms and Causes
Make sure to speak with a pharmacist when choosing a decongestant, antihistamine, or allergy medication. The pharmacist can also answer any questions you may have about a particular medication. The warmth why am i congested after drinking can provide comfort from any pain and help relieve the inflammation in the nostrils. To make a warm compress, first, soak a towel in warm water.
Processed and Sugary Foods
By the last days of a cold, most symptoms will have faded and your energy will have returned to your usual levels. You might still have a lingering cough or some mild congestion and nasal discharge. Call your doctor if your stuffy nose doesn’t improve after taking medication for more than 3 days, or if you have a fever as well. A warm compress may help alleviate some symptoms of nasal congestion by opening the nasal passages from the outside.
How to stop coughing up phlegm after eating
- It’s no secret that seasonal allergens like pollen or grass can make you stuffy in the morning.
- A person should consult a doctor for further evaluation and treatment if symptoms persist.
- The only way to prevent these uncomfortable reactions is to avoid alcohol.
The histamine causes the blood cells in the nasal region to dilate, resulting in mucus, nasal congestion, sneezing, and a runny nose. However, the severity of these symptoms may vary from person to person. While throat clearing and coughing after meals can signal excess phlegm production, acid reflux includes symptoms like chest tightness, difficulty swallowing, and heartburn. It’s important to note that a variant of GERD called Laryngopharyngeal reflux, also called silent reflux, may display just one symptom — chronic cough.
Acid Reflux/Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Infections — such as colds, flu or sinusitis — and allergies often cause stuffy and runny noses. Irritants in the air, such as tobacco smoke, perfume, dust and car exhaust, also can cause these symptoms. If you have any severe or painful symptoms after drinking alcohol, don’t just brush it off as alcohol intolerance. These side effects could be caused by a serious allergy and warrant a visit with your doctor to address your symptoms.
It is a relatively common condition affecting about 2-5% of the population. It is even more common among children, reaching about 6% (reference). Bronchitis is an irritation or inflammation of your bronchi. Nasal polyps — benign growths in the lining of the nose — may also be to blame, especially if they’re large enough to block airflow, per the Mayo Clinic. If you’re waking up congested without any other symptoms and are struggling to pinpoint a cause, your sleeping position might be to blame.
- Coughing up phlegm occasionally, especially in the morning, can be normal as the body clears overnight mucus accumulation.
- In this article, we’ll explore why drinking alcohol commonly leads to a stuffed up nose for so many people.
- Alcohol intolerance is a temporary, but pretty uncomfortable, reaction to alcohol — with nasal congestion and flushed skin being the two most common side effects.
- From dietary adjustments to lifestyle modifications, each step offers a path to greater comfort and well-being.
- Keeping a food diary can help track reactions and pinpoint triggers.
- The color of phlegm can provide insights into your health.
Next, squeeze the water out of the towel, then fold it and place it over your nose and forehead. Learn more about the correct ways to use a neti pot to relieve congestion here. Any of these may warrant emergency medical attention, notes Dr. Jang. Dr. Tina M. St. John owns and operates a health communications and consulting firm.
- This overproduction can be the body’s response to a variety of triggers, including upper respiratory infections like the common cold, allergies, or even changes in the environment.
- If you’ve ever noticed your nose gets more congested after you have a glass of wine (or other alcohol), you’re not alone!
- Combining drugs containing both an antihistamine and a decongestant can relieve the sinus pressure and swelling caused by allergic reactions.
- “Saline can be used before the steroid spray to keep the nasal cavities moist,” she says.
- This reflux often leads to increased phlegm production as the body attempts to neutralize and clear the acid from the throat.
It’s Another Health Condition
“This may manifest as nasal congestion, dry cough or frequent throat clearing.” Providers treat nasal congestion based on the specific cause. For example, if you have nasal congestion because you’re allergic to cats, you have a form of allergic rhinitis.
Alcohol Intolerance Can Contribute to Nasal Congestion After Drinking Alcohol
Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. These may include expectorants, such as guaifenesin (Mucinex, Robitussin), which can thin and loosen mucus so it will clear out of your throat and chest. These may also include medications for acid reflux or allergies.
And since it affects your genes, once you inherit it, you’re stuck with it. But, if your nose is all stuffed up or runny after just a few sips of wine, this process probably isn’t proceeding as smoothly for you as it does for other people. Finally, acetate is further broken down into water and carbon dioxide and, voila! Sharing this knowledge is not just about solving a personal health puzzle; it’s about empowering others in their journey toward better health and comfort.