Candidiasis


Candida albicans is a type of parasitic yeast like fungus that inhabits the intestines, genital tract, mouth, esophagus, throat, ears and nose.

Normally this fungus lives in healthy balance with the other bacteria and yeasts in the body. However, certain conditions can cause it to multiply, weakening the immune system and causing an infection know as candidiasis. The fungus can travel throughout the bloodstream to many parts of the body.

Symptoms: Constipation, diarrhea, colitis, abdominal pain, headaches, bad breath, rectal itching, impotence, memory loss, mood swings, prostatitis, canker sores, persistent heartburn, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, congestion, nagging cough, numbness in the face or extremities, tingling sensations, acne, night sweats, sever itching, clogged sinuses, PMS, burning tongue, white spots on the tongue and in the mouth, extreme fatigue, vaginitis, kidney and bladder infections, arthritis, depression, hyperactivity, hypothroidism, adrenal problems and even diabetes.

BECAUSE OF ITS MANY AND VARIED SYMPTOMS THIS DISORDER IS OFTEN MIS DIAGNOSED.

One of the most important thing you can do for your health is to take a "cure" for candidiasis and then see if your symptoms persist and go from there. With this being the case of so many varied maladies, it would be a logical step to take. Now some of the ways that the symptoms can manifest themselves: When candida infects the vagina, it results in vaginitis characterized by a large amount of white, cheesy discharge and intense itching and burning.

When the fungus infects the oral cavity (mouth) it is called thrush. White sores may form on tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks. IN a baby the white spots of oral thrush may resemble milk spots. Oral thrush in an infant can spread to the mother's nipples by breastfeeding. This can lead to a situation where the baby and mother continually reinfect each other.

Thrush may also infect a baby's buttocks appearing as a diaper rash. Candida infection may also take the form of athlete's foot or jock itch.

SYSTEMIC CANDIDIASIS is an overgrowth of candida everywhere, throughout the body. In the most severe cases candida can travel through the body, causing a type of blood poisoning called candida septicemia. This condition almost always occurs in persons with serious underlying illnesses such as advanced cancer or AIDS.

Although this condition can affect both men and women it is rarely transmitted sexually. Anyone who has been long term on an antibiotic treatment most surely will have candida somewhere in his or her body. Antibiotics weaken the immune system and also destroy the "friendly" bacteria that normally keep candida under control.

Then as the candida gets stronger and proliferates throughout the body it weakens the immune system even more. Other things that increase the chances of contracting a yeast infection include pregnancy and the use of corticosteroid drugs.

Very often allergies to foods are present in people with Candida infections. Oral thrush, athlete's foot, ringworm, jock itch, fingernail or toenail fungus and even diaper rash can develop as a result of the combination of food allergies and C. albicans.

The symptoms of food allergy can mimic candida and to make matter more complicated some people with candidiasis go on to develop environment sensitivities as well. Many cannot tolerate contact with rubber, petroleum products, tobacco, exhaust fumes and chemical odors.

Now some things you can do:

Nutrients:

  • Essential fatty acids (flax seed oil and borage oil are good sources) Important in healing and preventing the fungus from destroying cells.
  • Acidophilus (take on an empty stomach) Fights candida infection. Use a non-dairy formula.
  • Caprylic acid (An anti-fungal agent that destroys the candida organism)
  • Garlic 2 capsules 3 times daily..... if you get the one with parsley you won't have body odor from the garlic. This can also be put in a douche in the case of vaginal candida. Garlic inhibits the infecting organism.
  • Quercetin 500 mg twice daily, 30 minutes before meals. Speeds healing and reduces the effects of food allergies and inflammation.
  • Vit B-complex 100 mg 3 times daily. B vitamins are required for all bodily functions, resistance to infection and all enzyme systems. Important for brain function. Use a yeast-free formula.
  • Calcium is usually deficient in people with candida.
  • Magnesium needed to balance the calcium.
  • Vit D enhances the absorption of calcium.

Herbal solutions:
Pau d'arco (also know as lapacho or taheebo) contains an antibacterial and antifungal agent. If you don't benefit from this tea, try clove tea instead.

Some recommendations:

  • Avoid all sugars, yeast feeds on sugar.
  • Do not use corticosteroids or oral contraceptives until your condition improves. Oral contraceptives can upset the balance of microorganisms in the body leading to the spread of cC. albicans.
  • Avoid household chemicals and cleaners, chlorinated water, mothballs, synthetic textiles and damp and moldy places, such as basements.

OF GREAT HELP;

Colloidal silver is a natural broad-spectrum antiseptic that fights infections, subdues inflammation and promotes healing. It is a clean golden liquid composed of 99.9 percent pure silver particles suspended in pure water. Colloidal silver can be taken by mouth or used topically.

Kombucha tea may be helpful. It contains many of the B vitamins, boosts energy and improves the immune response.

Candida may also be related to hypoglycemia.