Drinking Beer Worsens Nasal Symptoms in a 35-Year-Old Man

January 3, 2022

Medscape.com asked me to give them a Case Challenge. I had a good one for them.
 
"A 35-year-old man with a history of adult-onset 
asthma has had nasal obstruction and smelling loss for 4 months. He also reports postnasal drainage, cough, runny nose, and facial pressure. He has no history of asthma or allergies as a child. He also has no history of previous nasal or paranasal sinus surgery. His symptoms worsen after drinking certain beers and also after using ibuprofen or aspirin."
 
This is a CT scan of his sinuses. White is bone. Black is air. Soft tissue is gray. The sinuses are supposed to contain air (black)!
 
There is not much black, meaning they certainly are filled up. No wonder he couldn't breathe!


Anyway, I was able get him better and he can even drink some beer now.
 
Read more here.

 


Thomas S. Higgins, MD, MSPH

Father. Husband. Sinus Nerd.


Woman with eyes closed, tilting head up toward bright light. Red jacket.
February 11, 2026
Discover how air quality affects your sinuses. Learn actionable tips to reduce indoor allergens, manage humidity, and breathe easier. Find out when to see an ENT specialist for chronic sinus issues.
Person suffering from sinus infection, holding tissue touching their face, likely due to a cold.
January 29, 2026
Learn how long sinus infections typically last and when to seek treatment. Higgins Sinus provides expert sinus care in Louisville, KY, and Southern Indiana.
Nose doctor checking on patient
January 22, 2026
Recover quickly and comfortably from sinus surgery. Get practical tips on rest, saline rinses, pain management, and timelines for FESS, balloon sinuplasty, and septoplasty.
close-up-portrait-of-sick-young-man-with-sinus-infection
January 12, 2026
Suffer from headaches with a stuffy nose? Learn how rhinitis (nasal inflammation) causes head pain, how it differs from sinusitis, and when to seek expert care from an ENT.
man-experiencing-nose-bleed
December 22, 2025
Are nosebleeds happening weekly? Learn what frequent episodes could signal—from dry air to high blood pressure—and when to see a specialist in Louisville or Jeffersonville for evaluation.
beautiful-smiling-ginger-woman-smelling-and-drinking-tea-at-home.jpg
December 9, 2025
Tired of sinus flare-ups? Our ENT expert in Louisville share proven daily routines to maintain clear sinuses, reduce inflammation, and minimize symptoms. Get personalized care tips here.
close-up-photo-of-a-sinus-doctor-examining-nasal-cavity-of-the-patient
November 28, 2025
Suffering from nasal polyps? Dr. Higgins, a board-certified ENT specialist in Louisville & Jeffersonville, offers expert evaluation, treatment, and endoscopic sinus surgery for lasting relief.
A young woman with a runny nose blows her nose into a tissue
November 14, 2025
Constantly dealing with a runny nose? Discover the real reasons behind your nasal drainage—from allergies to colds—and learn effective remedies and when to see a specialist. Get expert care from Dr. Higgins in Louisville, Kentucky; & Southern Indiana.
child-with-rhinitis-get-yellow-snot
October 27, 2025
Concerned about sudden yellow discharge? Get expert insight from Dr. Higgins, a leading sinus specialist in Kentucky and Indiana. Learn the signs of a sinus infection and effective home treatments.
Septal Swell Body treatment
September 30, 2025
Struggling with constant nasal congestion that sprays can't fix? You may have septal swell body hypertrophy. Learn the symptoms of this hidden condition and the minimally invasive procedure that can provide long-term relief in about a week.