Earlyface

Sinus infections are nasty and they can put you out of commission for days! After all, who could be fully functional when the head feels like it’s about to explode from the buildup pressure and you can’t breathe properly?

According to the latest data, sinusitis is one of the most common infections known to modern mankind. Stats show there are about 40 million Americans who suffer from chronic sinusitis and, globally, about 12% of the population shares the same problem.

The situation wouldn’t be so dire if we had a miracle cure at our disposal.
Sadly, the treatments that most doctors prescribe are not nearly as effective as we’d want them to be. Most doctors will prescribe antibiotics or steroids, but it’s been long proven these are not effective in fighting sinus infections (over 20% of patients are unresponsive). Not to mention, both treatments have negative side effects if taken for too long.

At the end of the day, sinus infections are debilitating and it’s easy to understand why if you consider the symptoms: pain behind the eyes or in the face, tenderness of the face, fever, headache, fatigue, and the list could go on.

But is there really nothing that can be done?
We are just starting to understand that there is a powerful connection between the immune system (which can keep us away from sinus infections) and the bacteria living in the gut (called microbiome). It seems that a healthy immune system is connected in proportion of 80% with the microbiome’s health.

So, the only solution to get rid of sinus infections for good is to fix the gut first.




GUT PROBLEMS THAT MAY LEAD TO SINUS INFECTIONS
Sinus infections show up when the immune system is low. Of course, knowing that our body’s health defense falls when the gut is in trouble, below are the situations that are most commonly known to be at the root of sinusitis.

Microbiome Bacterial Imbalance
The microbiome is made of trillions of good bacteria that live in fragile balance and keep other microorganisms’ growth in check (also known as bad bacteria). When the balance is disturbed, there’s an explosion of bad bacteria, which in time, leads to infections in your sinuses.

According to recent studies, when you suffer from sinusitis, the microbiome of your nose lacks bacterial diversity. This means there’s an imbalance in the microbiome, and the problem usually starts from the gut.

To fix this, it’s important to know what exactly is growing in your gut eco-flora, so run microbiome lab tests. Once you know the cause of your imbalance, a specialist will be able to give you a well-targeted treatment.

Toxic Biofilm
Biofilm is a thin film of bacteria that line the gut, sinuses, and other mucous membranes. In terms of medicine, there is no good or bad biofilm, but the composition is important for your health because it can shift from probiotic to pathogenic. 

To reverse this, you have to make some lifestyle changes, eat healthier, and include natural remedies in your diet.


 
SINUS INFECTION CURE: FIX YOUR GUT TO RID SINUSITIS FOR GOOD
We’re sure you’re convinced by now that a healthy gut means a healthy body in general. After all, if the immune system is up and running it means your sinuses will stay clean as well. But that’s not all! Good balance in the gut means good energy during the day, overall good health, and a happier life.

Below, we list some of the most well-known ways to make sure your microbiome stays in shape.

A Gastrointestinal Cleanse
One of the first important things to do to heal your gut, and your immune system, is to do a gastrointestinal cleanse. A complete gastrointestinal cleanse is necessary to help “reset” your digestive system. Then, the other steps that follow will be far more effective and efficient, to help you speed up your healing.

Check Your Diet
It is a well-known fact that what’s in our diet influences what’s in our gut, right? Now, given that the microbiome is so important for the rest of our body, it’s only natural to want to know which foods can help fix the damages.

The secret stands in diversity; the more diverse your microbiome is, the better chances you have at fighting any possible parasites or other problems. Of course, it’s just as important to avoid foods that can lead to inflammation such as sugar and processed foods.

Here is a list of top 10 foods recommended for a healthy gut:

Homemade yogurt (unsweetened)
Bananas
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, cauliflower, or cabbage
Beans
Blueberries
Kefir and/or kombucha
Lacto-fermented pickles
Traditional cured Greek olives
Cereal grains (whole wheat, barley, rye)
Garlic
Probiotics
While there may still be some work to a definitive treatment, it turns out that probiotics are quite effective in fighting sinusitis symptoms. For instance, in some studies, probiotics managed to disrupt biofilms present in the case of chronic sinusitis, which is impressive considering these are difficult to eradicate through other means.

Other studies show that probiotics help in reduce the pathogenic bacteria found in the nose or upper respiratory tract.

Carrot And Orange Juice
The carrot and orange juice combo is often my go-to when asked about a juice that helps to relieve sinusitis. This combo is really miraculous in the healing of the sinuses. It just works!

The carotenoids in carrots are excellent for the breaking up of mucus for elimination, and strengthening the respiratory health. The carotenoids (precursor vitamin A) keeps the epithelium healthy. The epithelium is the tissue that lines the cavities in the bodies. Healthy tissues in the upper respiratory tract prevents sinus infections.

Drink a glass of carrot and orange juice every day and feel your sinuses heal. Simply juice: 1 pound of carrots + 2 oranges, and drink it every morning till your sinusitis subsides.

Supplements that Promote Repair
Given we don’t have the chance to get all the nutrients we need from food, supplements are extremely helpful. For instance, specialists recommend supplements such as:

Lactoferrin – it inhibits pathogens and helps biofilms stay healthy
Digestive enzymes – great for breaking down biofilm
Zinc, Omega-3, Vitamin E, A, and C
Xylitol – natural anti-biofilm
L-glutamine – an amino acid helpful in refreshing the gut lining
EDTA – used to draw toxins out of the biofilm
Exercise
It seems that food is not the only element to influence the health of our gut; exercise also has a positive effect! According to a study done on mice, exercise leads to a significant increase in the production of short-chain fatty acids, which are beneficial for the general state of health. Of course, there is still more work to be done in this direction, but the first findings are promising.

So, if you’re looking for natural ways on how to have a healthy gut, you should consider developing a well-balanced exercise routine.

Other Things You Can Do
Of course, there are other remedies to consider such as green juice or bone broth (highly recommended even by medical specialists). Some find herbs like Aloe Vera and Slippery Elm to be useful, but one sure remedy stands out is fermented foods. Foods like tempeh, kimchi, apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut and more, are amazing for your gut eco-flora in there.

Here’s an almost-instant sinus infection remedy using apple cider vinegar that you can use the next time you get a sinus infection. It is a great temporary remedy, yet you will need to fix your gut to be rid of sinusitis permanently.

Or, this various ways you can use garlic and other ingredients you have in your kitchen, to remedy this debilitating infection.

CONCLUSION
Our body is a complex system and more often than not, infections like sinusitis can be the symptom of an imbalance happening in one of the multiple sub-systems that keep us moving and functioning. Modern medicine is starting to understand this aspect, but we should do everything in our power to prevent and repair any damage before it’s too late.