NaturalNews) It is estimated that one in every two people will be
affected by Candidiasis in their lifetime but many will not be aware of
it or may even think that the symptoms are all in their head. The
unfortunate reality is that many people who seek medical advice from
their health care providers are told that there is absolutely nothing
wrong with them. This is due to the fact that the mainstream medical
establishment has been slow to recognize Candidiasis as a real issue;
the Integrative Medicine community, however, has been treating the
condition successfully for decades. If you feel that you're one of the
many who have suffered without validation or relief from this
life-altering illness, please read on.
Here are some common symptoms experienced by people with Candidiasis:
*
Do you regularly experience any of the following symptoms - bloating,
headaches, depression, fatigue, memory problems, impotence or loss of
libido, unexplained muscle aches, brain "fogginess"?
* Do you crave sweets, products containing white flour, or alcoholic beverages?
* Do you have repeated vaginal infections?
*
Do you repeatedly experience any of these health difficulties -
inappropriate drowsiness, mood swings, rashes, bad breath, dry mouth,
post-nasal drip or nasal congestion, heartburn, urinary frequency or
urgency?
* Do you have repeated fungal infections ("jock itch," athlete's foot, ringworm)?
* Have you recently taken repeated courses of antibiotics or steroids (e.g. cortisone)?
* Have you used birth-control pills?
If
you answered yes to two or more of these questions then you may be
suffering from a common yet drastically under-diagnosed condition:
Candidiasis.
Candidiasis is the medical term for yeast overgrowth. We all have bacteria
living in our intestinal tract - some of which we consider to be
"good", such as acidophilus and Bifidobacteria, and some of which we
consider to be "bad", such as Candida albicans. Candida albicans is a
form of yeast that can be dangerous to the body if it spreads. In order
to prevent this from happening, the "good" bacteria produces antifungal
substances that keep the "bad" bacteria in check. This "good" bacteria
also ferments carbohydrates into lactic acid, which maintains an ideally
balanced pH within the intestines to keep Candida albicans at bay. As
long as the "good" bacteria co-exist with the "bad" bacteria in healthy
ratios and the intestinal pH is correctly balanced, the GI tract can
live in peace. Havoc occurs, however, when the pH balance shifts and the
"good" bacteria come under attack.
Proper pH balance is vital
for so many reasons. If the body becomes too acidic (a condition known
as acidosis), it adversely affects the functioning of all its parts:
heart cells, blood cells, brain cells, nerve cells, muscle cells, bone
cells, skin cells, hair cells and hormonal levels. It also creates a
hostile environment with less available oxygen – a condition key to the
growth of microorganisms such as Candida albicans. As the bacteria
fueled by these new, toxic conditions die off, the toxic waste produced
by their decomposition further contributes to the already acidic
environment. This cycle continues on and on into a situation with
potentially grave consequences. Researchers suspect that most
degenerative diseases including cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis,
diabetes, acid reflux and heartburn can be contributed to chronic
acidosis.
While an imbalanced pH creates the perfect battleground
for the "bad" bacteria to spread, a number of other enemies are waiting
in the wings to take aim at the "good" bacteria.
The single largest enemy of "good" bacteria is sugar,
which can single-handedly weaken the immune system, thereby weakening
the "good" bacteria. But the sugar doesn't stop there! This sweet
invader packs a dangerous one-two punch and feeds the "bad" bacteria,
encouraging it to proliferate throughout the gastrointestinal tract.
Since a weakened immune system generally goes hand-in-hand with illness,
antibiotics or steroids may be administered, which further takes its
toll on the "good" bacteria, killing the illness-causing bacteria along
with the vital "good" bacteria. Once the "good" bacteria are out of the
picture, the "bad" bacteria are able to take over and sink its teeth
into the intestinal walls, eventually breaking down the barrier that
exists between the bowel and rest of the body. This intestinal breach
then opens up the flood gates for toxic debris, yeast waste products,
and partially digested proteins to enter the bloodstream, resulting in
allergic and toxic reactions all over the body – the symptoms of which
could manifest themselves differently for every person.
Dietary
factors play a key role in the survival of Candida albicans. These "bad"
bacteria thrive on sugar and as a result, intense sugar cravings may
ensue. Likewise, dairy foods can be excellent supporters for Candida
albicans for two reasons: (1) Non-organic dairy products contain traces
of antibiotics, which can kill the "good" bacteria that have managed to
survive and (2) dairy products contain the sugar lactose, which is one
of Candida albicans' preferred meals, feeding the bacteria and further
encouraging it to grow and spread. Other products that cause Candida
albicans to grow are yeast and glutens that also convert into sugar.
Environmental
factors can also be big supporters of Candida albicans' proliferation.
Exposure to pollutants such as pesticide residues, car exhaust,
industrial chemicals and heavy metals (particularly those found in
mercury amalgam dental fillings) may encourage the growth of these "bad"
bacteria.
Because Candidiasis suppresses the immune system,
symptoms of the illness span a broad range and include chronic fatigue;
weight gain; mental issues such as depression, anxiety, irritability,
confusion, loss of memory, and severe mood swings; digestive problems
including gas, bloating, cramps, chronic diarrhea, constipation, and
heartburn; respiratory issues including food and airborne allergies,
asthma, nasal or lung congestion, sinus pressure, hay fever, coughing;
recurrent fungal infections ("jock itch", athlete's foot, ringworm,
fingernail or toenail fungus) or vaginal/urinary infections; skin
problems including rashes, hives, acne and scaly skin; migraines,
headaches and sleep disturbances.
Everyone is at risk of
developing Candidiasis; however, people with weakened immune systems
(whether from severe illness or chronic stress), those with diets high
in sugars and carbohydrates, anyone who has taken repeated courses of
antibiotics or steroids, women currently taking oral birth-control
medications or who have taken them in the past, and women of
child-bearing age are most at risk.
Diagnosing Candidiasis can be
tricky as the symptoms of this condition mimic the symptoms of many
other illnesses. I generally consider several factors before pronouncing
a diagnosis of Candidiasis: medical history, a physical examination,
lab test results and failure to respond to previous treatments. If I am
then able to come to an adequate conclusion, I immediately begin my
patients on a treatment protocol. Catching the condition in its early
stages and commencing treatments immediately can be vital to heading off
the more serious diseases that yeast overgrowth can lead to (diabetes,
osteoporosis, heart disease, acid reflux, heartburn and even cancer).
No comments:
Post a Comment