Candida-the kideys, the heart, lungs, eyes and brain-wow!

Candida Albicans

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Table of Contents

• Definition
• Description
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Questions
• Prevention

Definition

Candida albicans (sometimes referred to as monilia) is a fungus that is normally present on the skin and in mucous membranes such as the vagina, mouth, or rectum. The fungus also can travel through the blood stream and affect the throat, intestines, and heart valves.

Description

Candida albicans becomes an infectious agent when there is some change in the body environment that allows it to grow out of control.

Causes

Most of the time, candida infections of the mouth, skin, or vagina occur for no apparent reason. A common cause of infection may be the use of antibiotics that destroy beneficial, as well as harmful, microorganisms in the body, permitting candida to multiply in their place. The resulting condition is known as candidiasis moniliasis, or a "yeast" infection.
Candidiasis moniliasis:

• is called thrush when it grows in the mouth, especially in infants
• shows up on skin as a red, inflamed, and sometimes scaly rash, such as diaper rash
• causes vaginalitis moniliasis, commonly known as a yeast infection, in the vagina
• causes candidal onchomycosis in the nails or paronychia next to the nails
• can also affect the esophagus and the digestive tract

Candidal infection of the penis is more common among uncircumcised than circumcised men and may result from sexual intercourse with an infected partner.
In rare instances, when body resistance is low as in leukemia or AIDS, candida albicans can enter the bloodstream and causes serious infection of vital organs.

Symptoms

Thrush appears as creamy-white or bluish-white patches on the tongue - which is inflamed and sometimes beefy red - and on the lining of the mouth, or in the throat.
Diaper rash caused by candida is an inflammation of the skin, usually red and sometimes scaly.
Vaginitis is characterized by a white or yellow discharge. Inflammation of the walls of the vagina and of the vulva (external genital area) causes burning and itching.
Infections of the fingernails and toenails appear as red, painful swelling around the nail. Later, pus may develop.
Infection of the penis often results in balanitis (inflammation of the head of the penis).
An infection in the bloodstream can affect the kidneys, heart, lungs, eyes, or other organs causing high fever, chills, anemia, and sometimes a rash or shock. Candida can cause the following problems depending upon the organ infected:

• in the kidneys can cause blood in the urine
• in the heart can cause murmurs and valve damage
• in the lungs can cause bloody sputum (mucus discharge)
• in the eyes can cause pain and blurred vision
• in the brain can cause seizures and acute changes in mental function or behavior

Diagnosis