Congestion and Celiac Disease

[RD13]

Hi - Is ongoing congestion and sinuses a frequent occurrence in Celiacs, even when gluten free? I have been suffering from severe congestion since I had my endoscopy for celiac disease confirmation done approximately 2 months back. I have consulted a few ENT's but haven't found much relief. To be honest, given the condition of my gut at this point in time, I am quite fearful of taking antibiotics since they almost always hurt my gut and make matters worse.

[Momofvmej]

13 hours ago, RD13 said:

Hi - Is ongoing congestion and sinuses a frequent occurrence in Celiacs, even when gluten free? I have been suffering from severe congestion since I had my endoscopy for celiac disease confirmation done approximately 2 months back. I have consulted a few ENT's but haven't found much relief. To be honest, given the condition of my gut at this point in time, I am quite fearful of taking antibiotics since they almost always hurt my gut and make matters worse.

You may also be allergic to milk. I also have milk allergies which give me congestion and sinus headaches. 

[cyclinglady]

I had some bad congestion for a long time.  It was always blamed by my allergies.  Years later,  it turned into a tooth infection (facial swelling) from an old root canal that did not show up until the infection was severe.  No pain. Once I healed from the tooth infection, all that sinus congestion went away.  

While celiacs can be lactose intolerant (as a huge chunk of the  general population) and that might resolve, you can also have a milk protein allergy as Momo suggested.  

[RD13]

Thank you so much for your responses. 

[Whitepaw]

My allergist recommends avoiding or minimizing dairy for this reason. Also, seasons may have changed, and exposure to new allergens may have coincided with the test. Dust and mold tend to trigger congestion, whereas grasses, trees, etc. tend to cause runny noses.  Outdoor molds occur with fall changes.  

You likely don't need antibiotics,  unless you develop a sinus infection.  You can relieve congestion with OTC guaifenesin. Find some online that say gluten-free, if you dont have time to contact companies.  Brand name is Mucinex. You can also try this site, can't recall if OTC is included.  https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/

Non drug options are steaming your sinuses and saline nasal sprays (OTC or look up making your own). I find even breathing through a wet washcloth can help in a pinch. Products like Sudafed can also help.