SC Connecticut News

• 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. Robert Weiss of CT ENT Sinus Center said people who breathe through their mouth due to congestion in the nose can develop multiple negative side effects. 

"The bottom line is, if you're not getting good airflow through your nose and you're forced to breathe through your mouth, that's not a healthy state, affecting sleep," Weiss told SC Connecticut News. "Based on different studies, it can affect other things. It can be a risk factor for heart disease, blood pressure, etc. Sleep apnea is a big one I should mention, too."

Many American holiday celebrations feature a traditional meal, with a YouGov survey finding that the most popular foods to have on the table at Thanksgiving and Christmas are roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, turkey, bread rolls, and stuffing, Taste of Home reported.

But people suffering from sinus infections may not be able to enjoy their meals this holiday season due to a loss of the senses of smell and taste, according to Houston ENT. Congestion is a common symptom of sinus infections, and a stuffy nose can decrease your ability to taste by blocking access to the part of your brain that processes taste.

People who lose the ability to smell and taste frequently experience decreased appetite and poor nutrition, and they may be more likely to experience depression, according to Mayo Clinic. Some might use excess salt or sugar on food to try to make its taste stronger, which can exacerbate problems with diabetes or high blood sugar. Fortunately, if the loss of taste and smell is due to a sinus infection or other nasal issue, treating the infection can restore the patient's senses of taste and smell.

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