ew.

December 15, 2007 3:45 PM

Why do I get severe nasal congestion after I have, um, stomach problems? Horrific details follow.

I have a sensitive stomach (lactose intolerance, fatty foods, overindulgence, etc), leading to various degrees of diarrhea almost every week. Immediately after, or during the 'evacuation,' I get severe nasal congestion. I blow my nose - conveniently, with the toilet paper close-by - but the congestion lasts for hours. After I leave the restroom my stomach is totally fine, I feel fine, but the stuffy nose remains for a long time afterwards, sometimes even into the next day.

My questions are 1) what is going on? and 2) what can I do to stop this double jeopardy? I really am only concerned about the congestion, the stomach problems are controllable.

note: I have a history of nasal allergies mostly with animal dander and mold, but nothing as immediate or severe as this.

posted by anonymous to health (10 comments total)

Dehydration can cause or aggravate nasal and sinus congestion, and nothing dehydrates like diarrhea. Have you tried hydrating heavily after one of your episodes?
posted by Dipsomaniac at 4:56 PM on December 15, 2007

An allergic reaction to something, or perhaps the stomach attack is causing an allergic response? I have had occasions when diarrhea has also seemed to cause asthma.
posted by tomble at 4:59 PM on December 15, 2007

Dehydration, bank on it. I get the same problem during allergy season. Drinking lots of water seems to help.

Cheers and GL
posted by Cycloptichorn at 5:11 PM on December 15, 2007

maybe food allergies cause you to to have the runs and fuck your nose up, too
posted by matteo at 6:15 PM on December 15, 2007

oh and the answer to question 2 is: imodium and vicks sinex
posted by matteo at 6:16 PM on December 15, 2007

you might have some acid reflux. i sometimes get congestion and a runny nose when i have heartburn, maybe there is some quirk in your anatomy that makes it happen regularly. or, i don't know, maybe if you are doubled over, that might make it go up your nose.
posted by thinkingwoman at 6:32 PM on December 15, 2007

oh my...i wonder if this explains why i always, without fail, get a runny nose and teary eyes during and after a boom-boom. or, maybe, this is more normal than we think? mayhap.
posted by wowbobwow at 6:37 PM on December 15, 2007

When your body wants to expel something, you clog up because should it for some reason decide to take the top route instead of the bottom, you won't get stomach acid in your nasal passages. It's a natural blockade in case the invading party decides to go north. It would take too long to clog up after it was suddenly determined that the north route was the actual exit point, so it covers the top just in case.
posted by Quarter Pincher at 8:10 PM on December 15, 2007

The duration may be a sign that not all of the expectoration-worthy substance is gone, it could be that the de-clog switch is harder to disengage. I say listen closer to the bodily response rather than trying to suppress symptoms immediately. You may need to be clogged up for a really good reason.
posted by Quarter Pincher at 8:13 PM on December 15, 2007

I'm lactose intolerant and if I have dairy it also causes sinus issues.
posted by disaster77 at 9:55 PM on December 15, 2007