The Funk'tional Nutrition Podcast Prone to Sinus Infections or Ear Infections? Listen to This | Ep 395
Jan 27, 2026
Practical tips to stop winter colds from turning into sinus or ear infections. Why dry air and airplane cabins hinder mucus clearance and what a humidifier can do. Simple nasal rinses like neti pots or saline spray to physically flush irritants. Cautions about humidifier mold risk and how to monitor humidity. Quick prevention routines and when to consider deeper causes for recurrent infections.
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Twice-On-A-Year Antibiotics
- Erin Holt got the flu in June that progressed to a sinus and severe ear infection requiring antibiotics.
- She then caught a cold at Christmas that turned into a second sinus infection and another antibiotic course within a year.
How Sinus Problems Become Ear Infections
- Sinus linings swell and trap mucus so drainage stops and pathogens can grow.
- Inflamed sinuses can block the eustachian tube and cause ear infections from trapped fluid.
Run A Clean Humidifier Nightly
- Use a humidifier to keep indoor air moist so mucus stays thin and cilia clear debris.
- Choose an easy-to-clean model and monitor room humidity to avoid mold growth.