Hi Dr. Jahn,
I have been avoiding certain foods that apparently cause phlegm, but now I want to put them to the test, to see if I REALLY need to avoid them or not. So, I try certain foods and drinks in the morning and, without eating anything else, I will wait to see if I feel a significant increase in phlegm. I just need to know: how long should I wait after eating the test food? In other words, if a substance is going to cause a big increase in phlegm, how long does it take?
-Peter
Dear Peter,
What you were doing is a common technique in allergy evaluation, called an elimination diet.
I would start by eliminating one class of foods, such as dairy, from your diet. While some people develop excess phlegm shortly after consuming dairy products, I think that giving it two weeks would be a reasonable trial.
You might also want to see an allergist and be tested for specific food groups to guide in your food choices.
Along with your dietary experimentation, please don’t forget to increase your hydration.
Also, irrigate your nose daily with a sinus wash device, such as a Neti pot. Water washes away the potential allergens and also thins out the mucus and makes it less of a nuisance.
– Anthony F. Jahn, MD, FACS, FRCS(C)
This discussion is for general information and not to be construed as specific medical advice that you should obtain from your own physician.
Dr. Jahn is an internationally renowned otolaryngologist based in Manhattan with a sub-specialty interest in the professional voice. His practice includes classical and popular singers. He holds academic appointments at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Westminster Choir College in Princeton. He is Medical Director at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and former Director of Medical Services at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Dr. Jahn has published several books for vocalists, including “Vocal Heath for Singers” (Singdaptive) and “The Singer’s Guide to Complete Health” (Oxford University Press).
