Sinus Infections and the Candida Yeast Infection Connection

There are two ways to get fungal sinus infections. The first is simply by breathing in fungus (most commonly Aspergillius) and mold spores from the air. They are abundantly present in the environment and will attach to trapped nasal mucus when sinuses are swollen from allergies or bacterial sinus infections.

The second way is connected to overgrowth of “bad” bacteria in our gut - “Candida albicans” - causing “Candidiasis”, a rapidly growing yeast infection.

When the delicate balance of our “good” and “bad” intestinal bacteria is upset (see our antibiotics page), our body is then primed for candida yeast infections. The good bacteria can be killed off by one or more of these factors:

• frequent or high-dose antibiotics and anti-inflammatories
• chemotherapy for cancer
• auto-immune diseases like AIDS, arthritis and muscular deterioration diseases
• high stress and low cortisol (cortisol is the body’s stress response secretion)

This results in a friendly breeding environment for the candida yeast (link to other candida pages when ready) and it grows out of control - clinging to intestinal walls, mucous membranes like nasal and bronchial passages, the genitals (mostly in females), and even producing toxins in the bloodstream.

Certain antibiotics are now well-known for creating subsequent vaginal yeast infections or oral “thrush” (white coating in mouth and on tongue). Some doctors will give an anti-fungal prescription at the same time as the antibiotic (see our information on “fluconazoles”). And vaginal yeast relief requests have become so prevalent that some gentle fungicides are now available over-the-counter.

But less commonly known is that this nasty candida yeast fungus is a vast cause of sinus infections – and doctors may just prescribe even more antibiotics!

How much can our digestive system have to do with Sinus Infections?

Our digestive system is the key to good health in our entire body. When it is not functioning properly it affects the central nervous system which sends alarms everywhere.

Oral, nasal or vaginal yeast may be a sign that the candida fungus has infested the
gastrointestinal tract, and treatment for the surface infections alone will not get to the root problem. More antibiotics will only add to the yeast build-up.

The spreading yeast fungus prevents proper digestion of all nutrients – the food we eat, the vitamins and minerals we take – thereby depriving the body of what it needs to remain healthy. It can trigger an over-reaction of white blood cells which normally gather to heal infection, making our immune system either over-active or under-active, and multiple health problems can take place.

Proper bowel function may go downhill. As this happens, more and more waste
toxins remain inside us and can get in the bloodstream. The yeast loves this and will be transported to the mucous membranes.

It then gets into the sinuses and nasal passages, either bringing bacteria with it or attaching itself to existing bacteria from outside elements – free radicals, airborne mold, etc.

Diagnosing a Candida Yeast Infection in the Sinuses

It’s hard to get yeast fungus out of sinus mucus. If any is left, the yeast multiplies again. Moreover, symptoms may be the same as any other sinus infection and it’s hard to diagnose, although it may sometimes result in greenish, glue-like clumps being expelled from the nose.

See an alternative practitioner for specialized testing.

Whether sinus infections have Aspergillius or Candida yeast fungus involved, using anti-fungals wouldn’t hurt. There are a number of herbal products which can help clean out chronic sinus infections. See our homeopathic and natural remedies page for sinus infections. Växa is proud to state we now have a homeopathic nasal irrigation system, Sinus Formula.

See our probiotic, ReFlora+, to help restore “good” intestinal bacteria, and Candid-Free to help prevent candida.