Candida is nearly an epidemic in our society and is responsible for many of the chronic illness categories we see so frequently. Candida symptoms are vast and all encompassing and can even incapacitate the individual.
Most people are unaware that it even exists, because most main stream doctors are uneducated about its impact on our health. People suffering from this condition often go from doctor to doctor for years and are usually told they are a hypochondriac or that it is stress or a psychiatric problem, before ever discovering the real culprit.
Candida Albicans is a yeast that occurs naturally in the human body, but it is only one type of many different types of fungus that can be problematic. Normally it lives in harmony with a variety of other microorganisms and actually performs a couple important functions. The problem occurs when something upsets the balance of bacteria in the body and this allows the yeast organism to proliferate and take over all the healthy microorganisms.
It normally resides in the intestinal tract, mouth, throat and genitals, however it can burrow holes in the intestinal tract, enter the blood stream and then make it's way into any organ of the body. To make matters worse it emits over 70 different toxins into the body. Some people may even become allergic to the yeast itself.
Once this hardy organism proliferates in the body, it wrecks havoc in many ways and is the initiator of many common maladies, conditions, syndromes and illnesses in our population.
Some of the most frequent Candida symptoms are:
- abdominal gas and bloating
- headaches
- migraines
- excessive fatigue
- cravings for alcohol
- anxiety
- vaginitis
- rectal itching
- cravings for sweets
- inability to think clearly or concentrate
- hyperactivity
- mood swings
- diarrhea
- constipation
- hyperactivity
- itching
- acne
- eczema
- depression
- sinus inflammation
- pre-menstrual syndrome
- dizziness
- poor memory
- persistent cough
- earaches
- low sex drive
- muscle weakness
- irritability
- learning difficulties
- sensitivity to fragrances and/or other chemicals
- cognitive impairment
- thrush
- athlete's foot
- sore throat
- indigestion
- acid reflux
- chronic pain
Men may like to read the Candida symptoms in males section for additional information about some of the unique aspects that apply to them, but be sure to return back here for the majority of material is found here.
The brain is the organ that is most frequently affected by Candida Symptoms, but it also has profound negative effects on these systems:
- digestive
- nervous
- cardiovascular
- respiratory
- reproductive
- urinary
- endocrine
- lymphatic
- musculoskeletal
Reducing Candida Symptoms
There are a variety of causes of candida, but the two leading contributors are a diet high in sugar and refined foods and the overuse of antibiotics.
First and foremost you want to refrain from taking antibiotics unless it is absolutely necessary. Try to find other healthy alternatives to infections etc., but of course there may be times when it can’t be avoided. If you must take an antibiotic for some reason, you should always be sure to take an acidophilus supplement during the course of the treatment. This will help keep healthy bacteria present in your body.
Taking a good probiotic on a daily basis is one of the best defenses against yeast overgrowth and it promotes a healthy colon.
The second most important factor in reducing Candida symptoms is to follow a Candida diet. A diet high in sugar is a haven for yeast. It's crucial to eliminate sugars and refined foods to reduce overgrowth. Initially even fruits and high carbohydrate foods may need to be eliminated and then reintroduced to the diet later as you get better. Meat, eggs and low carbohydrate vegetables are what is best to stick with and a small amount of nuts, seeds and low sugar fruit. If you need some ideas on what to eat, you may enjoy the Candida diet recipes page.
Most people with yeast overgrowth are also suffering from nutritional deficiencies and correcting your deficiencies can help you in your battle over Candida symptoms.
Some of the most effective and popular natural health approaches used in the treatment of Candida symptoms include oxygen based products like food grade hydrogen peroxide, caprylic acid, oregano oil, garlic, taheebo tea, grapefruit seed extract and colloidal silver. Prescription based antifungals like Nystatin, Diflucan or Nizoral may be obtained by a physician, but carry a few risks.
It is also essential to keep your home environment healthy and not-toxic. Chemicals weaken the immune system and if the immune system is weak this also allows the yeast to proliferate. So keeping your home chemical free by using non-toxic and natural cleaning supplies, personal care products etc. will help your body stay stronger.
A good holistic Candida cleanse is the most powerful way to relieve symptoms and improve your health.
Many people find the use of a good colon cleanse like enemas to be helpful in eradicating or reducing their symptoms. These can be either plain water, or mixed with Nystatin or acidophilus. Good colon health is crucial for reducing yeast overgrowth.
Nystatin is a prescription drug that can be obtained from a physician. It is a non-toxic drug that is not absorbed into the blood stream and is very helpful with yeast in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. It can also be used as a douche if you are experiencing vaginal itching from yeast.
One very popular treatment product is called Threelac. You may want to read my review and experience with this product before trying it yourself.
There are many different treatment approaches and products on the market today and this can be very confusing. To make things more difficult, not all practitioners treating this condition have a well rounded picture of what's needed for success. It's important that you have a thorough understanding of the complexities of Candida yourself and the most effective way to approach treatment before trying any particular remedy. By randomly choosing products without understanding the true nature of this beast it can actually hinder your progress in eliminating yeast overgrowth. If you're looking for a quick read that will cover all the bases for you and get you on the right path from the very start, you may want to take a look at"Candida Secrets."
During any treatment approach most people experience a temporary worsening of symptoms called
die off. This is a normal part of the healing process, however it can be overwhelming and steps should be taken to minimize the negative effects.
Do You Have Candida?
There are a variety of Candida tests that practitioners use to diagnose yeast overgrowth, that may include stool tests, blood tests, live blood cell tests, etc., but the truth is that none of these tests are really reliable. They may or may not detect an infection of Candidiasis.
The simple most effective way to know if you have a yeast problem is by your symptoms. The very best and most accurate test to identify yeast overgrowth is the written questionnaire that you can find in Dr. Crook's book called "The Yeast Connection."
Another very popular test that many natural health practitioners use is called the "spit test." However, I would like to point out that some health practitioners do not feel this test is reliable. It has a high rate of false negatives and false positives. Personally, I do not advocate the spit test, but you will find other practitioners who stand behind it whole heartedly. So, I am going to provide the directions below in case you're interested, but please be aware of its potential limits. Here's how you do it:
As soon as you wake up in the morning before you put anything in your mouth, get a glass of water in a clear glass that you can see through. Don't use tap water.
Collect saliva in your mouth with your tongue and spit it into the glass.
Now keep an eye on your saliva in the glass for the next 15 minutes and observe what it does.
According to advocates of this method, if you see any of the following, then it indicates the presence of yeast colonies:
- Your saliva stays at the top and you see thin strands that look like strings or spider legs extending downward.
- Your saliva floats to the bottom and looks cloudy.
- Your saliva is suspended in mid-air and looks like little specs are fl
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