Source
r/AdvancedRunning•
LeftHandedGraffiti

Trouble With Sinuses Clogging Up

Health/Nutrition

When it comes to lungs or legs, lungs have always been my limiter (even when I'm running tons of miles). One of the reasons seems to be that my sinuses often clog up during runs and races. Occasionally, popping a Claritin opens everything up and then I have a blissful workout where I feel like I get all the oxygen I need. But most of the time it doesn't work. Today I blew out my sinuses and took a Claritin pre-race, but at the race everything clogged up and I couldn't get much air through my nose.

Anyone else run into this? Suggestions? First response from my doctor was "keep taking anti-allergy meds".

Posted Oct 9, 2021, 10:31 PM UTC

127
ashtree35•

I find Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) to be very effective at clearing my sinuses! The only downside is that it makes my nose run a lot (the snot has to go somewhere I guess, lol), but it's worth it to be able to breathe effectively. I also take Claritin daily, but without the Sudafed I still get congested.

5
KrazyfrancoMost efficient answers in this sub•

FYI for folks who may care, Sudafed can be considered a PED and is banned in-competition by WADA.

https://www.wada-ama.org/en/questions-answers/prohibited-list-qa#item-1408

2
profpetitfours•

I have a deviated septum, plus other obstructions, and have occasionally used a breathe right strip while running. On long runs, I also have to blow my nose and carry Kleenex, though I’m slow and not winning any races, so YMMV.

3
gathering_blue10•

I get Breathe Right strips and tape them to my nose with Leukotape. It is the only thing that has worked for me to keep my nasal passages open since moving to a place where I seem to always feel congested. Without it, I run out of oxygen in my blood after about 2-3 hours and it becomes a real struggle. I also developed crippling nausea after my runs around the same time my congestion appeared - do you get that? Anyway, the strips help me a lot.

2
LeftHandedGraffitiOP1:15 HM•

Never had problems with nausea.

1
melonlord44Edit your flair•

Same problem and it sucks, worst thing is when it causes ears to pop during a hard effort. Flonase 1x spray in each nostril every day helps a lot, but 2x sprays and a sudafed before workouts/races is the ticket. Benadryl the night before has the two benefits: helps sleep and reduces allergy symptoms the next morning

Also maybe try using a neti pot, can be very uncomfortable and maybe even make it worse but if the congestion is the looser kind it helps a ton. Usually do it the night before a workout/race bc it can irritate your nostrils/sinuses

2
surlypower•

If you breathe threw your mouth when running, James Nestor's book Breath - the New Science of a Lost Art may shed some light on the issue.

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