What’s the deal with sinuses and infections?

Sinuses are surprisingly vulnerable spots in the body. They’re basically hollow cavities in your skull that connect to the nasal passages, and several features of their anatomy and physiology make them prone to infection:

Narrow drainage pathways

Each sinus drains through tiny openings (ostia) into the nasal cavity.

These openings are narrow and easily blocked by swelling from allergies, colds, or irritants.

When blocked, mucus can’t drain, creating a stagnant environment that bacteria or fungi love.

Warm, moist environment

Sinuses are lined with mucous membranes that produce mucus to trap dust, allergens, and microbes.

While normally helpful, this warm, moist lining can also become a breeding ground if drainage slows down.

Proximity to pathogens

Sinuses connect directly to the nose, which constantly encounters viruses, bacteria, and pollutants from the air we breathe.

When you catch a cold or flu, the virus can inflame sinus tissues, leading to secondary bacterial infections.

Impaired mucociliary clearance

The sinus lining has tiny hairlike structures (cilia) that move mucus along.

Viral infections, smoke, dehydration, or certain medical conditions (like cystic fibrosis) can weaken ciliary function, letting mucus pool.

Immune response “traffic jam”

When the immune system responds to an irritant or infection, it causes swelling and more mucus production.

Ironically, that protective response can worsen blockage and set the stage for infection.

Anatomical variations

Some people have structural differences — like a deviated septum, nasal polyps, or unusually small drainage openings — that increase their risk.

But I have seen DRAMATIC symptom improvements when I work on people’s sinuses. Particularly when I do an f-scan and identify what pathogen(s) are causing the inflammation. The Firefly Light is able to penetrate deep into the tissues and nasal cavities, unlike other modalities that have had limited success at getting after different infections.

Here is a text I received from a client this week who has dealt with 20+ year of sinus congestion that she deemed allergies:

Super crazy about 30 min after the treatment I could breathe deeply and I can’t remember that kind of deep breath since before I had allergies. I did a nasal rinse with the bottle one and it worked great!!!! Hoping that helps flush what we worked on today with the light!

Migraines and blood sugar

I didn’t realize how unstable my blood sugar really was. Until it wasn’t. I’ve had a long history of chronic migraines (since 15 years old) and have struggled with Lyme disease. I have done so many protocols and seen so many practitioners. Something that I think was missing all along though was keeping my blood sugar stable.

You don’t have to be diabetic or have a glucose test come back wonky to feel the effects of fluctuating blood sugar. I can tell if I eat pancakes for breakfast and no protein, an hour later I’m spacey and don’t feel great. That’s my blood sugar fluctuating and not serving my body well!

My migraines improved so significantly when I started balancing my blood sugar that I had this a-ha moment. It truly is in the foundations that our health presides. You build from there. You can throw protocol after protocol at an issue but if you don’t have your metabolism working properly, so many things break down.

As women and teen girls, our bodies go through a lot of changes that can impact our metabolic health. However, with the right knowledge and tools, we can take control of our health and feel our best.

Here are some tips to improve your metabolic health:

1. Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water can help improve digestion, energy levels, and metabolism.

2. Prioritize sleep: Getting enough quality sleep is essential for a healthy metabolism. Aim for 7-9 hours per night.

3. Eat a balanced diet: Incorporate whole foods such as lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Avoid processed and sugary foods.

4. Move your body: Exercise can help improve insulin sensitivity and boost metabolism. Find activities you enjoy and make them a part of your routine.

5. Manage stress: High levels of stress can negatively impact metabolic health. Practice stress-reducing activities such as meditation or yoga.

I am so relived to have figured this out and now offer a personalized nutrition plan to others. It is life changing.

What if you didn’t have to think so hard?

I remember thinking, in tenth grade, this is bunk!!

I was suffering from debilitating daily migraines. The nutritionist thought I should try a "whey-free” diet. This was the 90s and who the heck knew what whey was back then, let alone now. I remember going home and feeling very confused and frustrated. She had given me and my parents zero resources on what I COULD eat and what I SHOULD eat. Something switched on in me and I remember thinking, “this is ridiculous!” and my trust in what she was trying to do went way down.

Knowledge is power. Especially when it comes to nutrition. My tenth grade self needed someone to lay out to me what would I should be eating. Yes, good to know what to avoid as well but it can’t stop there.

Foods have nutrients, minerals, vitamins that our body needs to work optimally. Instead of focusing on what NOT to eat, what if we focused on all the nourishing things we GET TO eat?

Every good practitioner starts with foundations - nutrition, sleep, stress, movement, etc. When you have those dialed in, your body is able to work it’s magic. To recalibrate back to what it’s meant to do. It’s incredibly smart and wants us to be thriving!

What would life look like if you learned exactly what would really nourish your unique body? And you didn’t have to think so hard about what you should be doing. You could just do it?

xo Amy