Throbbing pressure in your head, a congested nose, Kleenex for days – nobody thinks sinus infections are a breeze, and yet they affect (1) a whopping 28.9 million of us. But go to a doctor, and what do you get? “Cures” like over-the-counter sinus medications, pharmaceutical antibiotics, and steroids, all with side effects that can be as bad or worse than the infection itself. Sure, sometimes these medications might be necessary, but the truth is that these mainstream options are over-prescribed and they often don’t have any effect on the actual progression and healing of the infection - especially if you suffer from chronic sinus infections, not just a single acute infection during cold and flu season.

If you suffer from recurring sinus infections, let me be the first to tell you, that is not normal. But there is hope to break out of this uncomfortable cycle. By discovering the underlying cause behind these infections, you can correct the problem, rather than just masking the uncomfortable symptoms with conventional treatments. From gut dysfunction to environmental toxins, read on to learn more about chronic sinus infections, their causes, and the steps you can take to breathe easy and finally find relief.

What are sinus infections?

Sinus infections, also referred to as sinusitis in the medical community, occur when the tissue lining of your sinuses start to swell or become inflamed. These hollow cavities around your nasal passages normally produce mucus to moisturize the nose and trap harmful particles. However, when they become infected or blocked due to allergies, infections, or other factors, the trapped mucus can harbor bacteria, viruses, or fungi, leading to an infection. 

Sinus infections often result in symptoms like facial pain or pressure, nasal congestion, headache, cough, fatigue, and sometimes a fever. While most sinus infections are acute in nature and clear up on their own or with appropriate treatment, they can sometimes become chronic, requiring a more in-depth approach to address whatever the underlying causes is

The link between sinus and stomach problems

The number one cause of chronic sinus infections is gut bacteria imbalance.Since at least 80 percent of your immune system is manufactured and stored in your gut and directly influenced by the trillions of bacteria making up your microbiome, it’s time to recognize that your sinuses are really an extension of your digestive tract. (Seriously – it’s science!) When the bad bacteria are in charge, you are more likely to get sick because your immune system won’t be functioning optimally. In fact, studies have shown (2) that people who struggle with chronic sinus infections have less bacterial diversity in the microbes of their nose, which, again, leads to your gut.

 A microbiome that is unbalanced in favor of the bad guys, can lead to chronic inflammation of the mucus membrane that is causing the blockage of the drainage ducts and fluid in the sinuses that can lead to an infection. Candida overgrowth – an overpopulation of this immune-compromising fungus – often occurs after long-term antibiotic use, making recovery even more difficult, and even triggering more sinus infections and perpetuating the vicious cycle of infection.

If you want to learn more about this connection, check out my article “The Connection Between Gut Health and Seasonal Allergies”.

What to do about it: I suggest running microbiome labs to find out the landscape of your gut garden. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus have been shown to improve sinusitis symptoms, so those can be a good defense. Plus, healing foods like celery juice and bone broth are some of my favorite ways to heal the gut to promote better immune function and head off sinus infections.