Sierra Corbin, a Physician Assistant at Gulf Coast Breathe Free, advises patients with chronic sinus issues to consider dietary changes, such as reducing dairy intake. She notes that patients often see improvements when avoiding foods identified in allergy testing. This statement was shared on Instagram.
"I have learned that in practice that certain things like dairy seem to increase mucus production," said Corbin, according to Instagram. "We used to do allergy testing for foods, but we have learned that if people avoid some things that came up positive on their allergy test that they seem to do better overall, sinus wise."
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that milk and dairy consumption can increase the perception of mucus production in the upper respiratory tract. Participants who believed dairy thickens mucus reported greater nasal congestion and phlegm after intake. These findings support clinical observations linking dairy to increased sinus discomfort in susceptible individuals.
In 2022, a prospective study published in Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology demonstrated that balloon sinus dilation provided sustained symptom improvement for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Two years post-treatment, participants continued to report significant gains in sinus quality-of-life scores and reduced infection frequency.
According to Kaplan Sinus Relief, most balloon sinuplasty patients can return to normal activities within 24–48 hours, compared to several days for traditional sinus surgery. The minimally invasive technique avoids nasal packing and extensive tissue removal, leading to shorter recovery times and less postoperative discomfort.
Corbin is a board-certified Physician Assistant at Gulf Coast Breathe Free. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Indianapolis and completed her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies at Franklin College. She specializes in treating sinus and allergy conditions across the Gulf Coast region.
Gulf Coast Breathe Free is an ENT medical center under the direction of Dr. Matthew Blair, dedicated to diagnosing and treating sinus and allergy disorders. The clinic offers advanced treatments such as balloon sinuplasty and sublingual immunotherapy, focusing on minimally invasive methods to improve long-term patient outcomes.
