South Palm Beach Today

• Sinus infections can lead to a loss of taste and smell.
• Losing the ability to taste and smell can cause a decreased quality of life for the patient.
• Treating the sinus infection can restore the patient's sense of taste and smell.

Dr. Cody Aull of West Palm Beach Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers said congestion forces you to breathe through your mouth, which is not good for your health. 

"People don't understand that we are obligate nose breathers," Aull told South Palm Beach Today. "Our body is designed to breathe through the nose. The nose is an organ that is built and formed perfectly. The mouth can also be breathed through, but it is not ideal in any way, shape or form."

Many American holiday celebrations feature a traditional meal, and a YouGov survey found that the most popular foods to have on the table at Thanksgiving and Christmas are roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, turkey, bread rolls and stuffing, Taste of Home reported.

But people suffering from sinus infections may not be able to enjoy their meals this holiday season due to a loss of the senses of smell and taste, Houston ENT reported. Congestion is a common symptom of sinus infections, and a stuffy nose can decrease the ability to taste by blocking access to the part of the brain that processes taste.

People who lose the ability to smell and taste frequently experience decreased appetite and poor nutrition, and they may be more likely to experience depression, according to Mayo Clinic. Some might use excess salt or sugar on food to try to make it taste better, which can exacerbate problems with diabetes or high blood sugar. Fortunately, if the loss of taste and smell is due to a sinus infection or other nasal issue, treating the infection can restore the patient's senses of taste and smell.

To learn more about the symptoms of sinus infections, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.