The Big Deal About Candida
What
is Candida?
Candida
albicans is a yeast that causes irritation and infection of the
mucous membranes of the body, occurring in the mouth, throat,
intestines, vagina, and anus. This fungus is naturally present in
the digestive tract of every person and normally lives in harmony
with a variety of other micro-organisms. Candida helps us digest
excess sugar and even make small amounts of vitamin K and B12.
However
an overgrowth or imbalance in the intestinal environment can cause
out-of-control growth of the candida cells.
An
overgrowth of candida albicans is also commonly known as candidiasis,
yeast infection, oral or vaginal thrush, and vaginitis.
What Causes Candida Infections?
There
are many possible causes of candida, including a diet high in sugar,
refined carbohydrates and alcohol that help feed candida. Other
potential causes include:
Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics
Sometimes,
antibiotics are needed to fight a stubborn infection to kill the
offending bacteria in your system. The problem with antibiotics and
with overusing them (often creating antibiotic
resistance)
is that they don’t just
kill
the bad bacteria; they kill the good ones, too.
The
good bacteria in your system are responsible for digestion and
keeping candida under control. After a long course (or multiple
courses over a short period), antibiotics can make your body a
literal breeding ground for candida.
Birth Control Pills
Unlike
antibiotics, birth control pills in and of themselves do not directly
cause a yeast infection or candida
overgrowth syndrome.
However, when a woman consumes a diet high in refined sugars and has
had a course of antibiotics, birth control pills can adversely affect
her body, leading to a candida infection.
Some
women find that
birth control pills seem to instigate yeast infections
—
and even long after the initial infection is gone, once they start
taking the birth control pills again, candida can take root.
Oral Corticosteroids
Individuals
who treat their asthma with corticosteroid inhalants are at an
increased risk of developing candida in the mouth, leading to
systemic candida overgrowth. It is imperative that individuals using
corticosteroid inhalers for asthma
follow
the directions for swishing the mouth out after each use. If oral
candidiasis is detected, it can be treated with the gargling of
coconut oil and a drop or two of essential clove
oil.
Cancer Treatments
According
to the Department of Clinical Research at Merck Research
Laboratories, candidiasis can become invasive in cancer patients and
present a serious complication. In this study, one-third of patients
being treated for cancer had “invasive” candidiasis. Chemotherapy
and radiation can both work to kill cancerous cells and tumors;
however, they also kill off the healthy bacteria that naturally fight
candida.
Diabetes
In
a Type 1 or a Type 2 diabetic, sugar levels in the mouth and other
mucous membranes are traditionally higher than in an individual
without diabetes. Since candida is a type of yeast and sugar feeds
yeast, it is understandable that those with diabetes are at a greater
risk for developing candida overgrowth syndrome.
Weakened Immune System
Any
individual with a weakened immune system is more likely to develop
candida. This population includes infants, small children, the
elderly, those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and other inflammatory and
autoimmune conditions.
Candida
yeast overgrowth can be difficult for a physician to diagnosis. This
type of systemic yeast infection presents different symptoms in
different people. Some candida overgrowth symptoms include:
1. Chronic Fatigue
If
you have fatigue or exhaustion that you simply cannot shake,
regardless of the number of hours you sleep, you may have chronic
fatigue syndrome.
The disease is characterized by fatigue that lasts a minimum of six
months and is often accompanied by other candida symptoms, including
headaches, joint pain, difficulties with memory and concentration,
and sore throat.
Often
one of the candida symptoms is chronic fatigue. While a candida
infection is not the only cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, many
physicians believe it heightens the risk of CFS.
2. Mood Disorders
One
of the reasons it can be difficult to diagnose candida is that so
many of the candida symptoms are common to other conditions,
including mood disorders. Individuals with candida overgrowth may
experience dramatic mood swings, anxiety,
irritability, depression and even panic attacks.
3. Recurring Vaginal and Urinary Tract Infections
When
an individual experiences recurring infections in the urinary tract
or vagina, candida may be at the root of the problem. It is important
to realize that candida can be sexually transmitted, and partners can
spread it back and forth. For women, reduce the risk by avoiding
tight-fitting underwear or pantyhose and avoid hot baths during an
active infection.
4. Oral Thrush
Oral
thrush
is
actually a yeast infection caused by the same strain of candida that
affects other mucous membranes, including the vagina. It’s most
often caused by the use of prednisone or other oral corticosteroids
as mentioned above. Left untreated, it may spread through the body,
including the digestive tract, lungs, liver and heart valves.
Oral
candida is communicable. Newborns can get thrush during birth;
children can get it from sharing toys with other children; and adults
can pass it back and forth through the saliva. (
5. Sinus Infections
As
with many of these other candida symptoms,sinus
infections
are
common today, and it can be difficult to pinpoint the root of the
cause. Candida does affect the sinuses and can result in a persistent
cough, post-nasal drip, an increase in congestion, seasonal
allergies, and general flu-like symptoms. If you experience
consistent problems with your sinuses, it’s time to check for a
candida infection!
6. Intestinal Distress
Ongoing
intestinal distress is one of the more uncomfortable candida
symptoms. Persistent flatulence, burping, bloating, constipation or
diarrhea, and stomach cramps may be caused by a lack of healthy
bacteria in your digestive tract.
When
yeast overtakes the intestines, healthy bacteria are undermanned, and
cannot fight off the infection alone. When the bacteria in your gut
are out of balance, it’s known as dysbiosis. Many individuals
experience dramatic relief of chronic intestinal distress when
effectively treating a candida infection.
7. Brain Fog
Along
with mood changes and chronic fatigue, brain
fog is
often overlooked as one of the candida symptoms. However, candida
overgrowth can cause a lack of focus, poor physical coordination,
difficulty in concentrating on tasks and poor memory.
8. Skin and Nail Fungal Infections
Athlete’s
foot
and
fungus in the toenail are common yeast infections, which stem from
the same strain of candida. Continued infections may be a sign that
you have a systemic candida infection.
9. Hormonal Imbalance
A
hormonal
imbalance
is
one of the candida symptoms that presents in many other health
conditions. However, it is important to recognize how an infection
can cause early menopause, PMS, a low sex drive, migraines,
endometriosis, water retention, mood swings and an inability to lose
unwanted pounds.
While
in the midst of candida overgrowth, your body becomes inflamed,
causing the yeast to grow and spread beyond the digestive tract. One
of the byproducts of candida actually can mimic estrogen, leading to
a serious hormonal imbalance.
Candida
transforms from a beneficial yeast into a harmful fungus when it
becomes unbalanced or when an overgrowth occurs. This is the reason
why the immune system needs to be strong to prevent this
transformation.
To
strengthen one’s immune system and cleanse the body from a harmful
overgrowth of candida, one can do the following:
1.
Do a candida cleanse
– this kind of detox will involve cutting out all foods that
stimulate the production of candida, and re-introducing healthy and
beneficial bacteria into the body and gut.
2.
Correct your diet
– cutting out harmful foods (like sugar and refined carbohydrates)
and eating more beneficial foods (such as organic vegetables and
cultured dairy products like kefir) can help control the growth of
candida
3.
Adding the right supplements
will restrict the amount of fuel the yeast in your intestines has
available to it. Please consult a doctor or nutritionist about the
correct supplements.
4.
Do whatever you can to
build and strengthen your immune system
– a strong immune system will control the growth of, and eliminate
pathogens such as candida
albicans.
If
you suspect your suffer from candida, please contact Designer Health
today for a consultation. We can help you only with cleansing your
body of the overgrowth, but also with dietary changes, monitoring and
the recommendation of suitable supplements to strengthen your body
and help you return to optimal health!
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