Candida

Candida is a prevasive problem that can sap your energy and wreck havoc with your moods. Candida albicans is a yeast that normally lives in the body in the inner warm creases and crevices of the digestive tract and in the vaginal tract of women. Under stressful conditions, through the overuse of antibiotics, damage to the intestinal tract or due to immune system depression, C. albicans can overgrow. Yeast cells, particles of yeast cells, and various toxic by-products of yeast metabolism can enter the general circulation and significantly disrupt body processes.

The results is chronic candidiasis, leading to a wide range of symptoms affecting almost every system of the body - especially the gastrointestial, genitourinary, endocrine (hormonal), nervous and immune systems. Due to the effects of estrogen, birth control pills, and a higher number of prescriptions for antibiotics, women are eight times more likely to experience chronic candida than men.

Since virtually any body system can be affected, chronic candidiasis can trigger a multitude of symptoms. Patients say they feel "sick all over." Fatigue, allergies, immune system malfunction, depression, chemical sensitivities, and digestive disturbances are just some of the symptoms that suggest candida.

Those with chronic candidiasis are typically stuck in a vicious cycle. With regard to the immune system, a triggering event such as antibiotic use or nutrient deficiency can lead to immune suppression that allows Candida albicans to overgrow and become more firmly entrenched in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

Once the organism attaches itself to the intestinal cells, it competes for nutrition with intestinal cells and ultimately the entire body –- robbing the body of vital nutrients. In addition, Candida albicans secretes a large number of mycotoxins and antigens. Candida albicans is referred to as a "polyantigenic" organism because over 79 distinct antigens have been identified. Because of this tremendous number of antigens, an overgrowth of Candida albicans greatly taxes the immune system.

(Adapted from The Textbook of Natural Medicine by Joseph Pizzorno, Jr. and Michael T. Murray)

How do I Know if I Have Candida?

The more of the following symptoms you have the more important it is that you find out if you have candida and treat it with a comprehensive treatment plan.

• Chronic fatigue or lethargy


• Feeling of being drained


• Loss of energy


• General malaise


• Headache


• Decreased libido


• Numbness, burning, or tingling


• Muscle aches, weakness, or paralysis


• Dizziness, loss of balance


• Pain and swelling in joints


• Craving for foods rich in carbohydrates or yeasts such as high sugar
  foods, bread and alcoholic beverages


• Depression


• Frequent mood swings


• Inability to concentrate


• Feeling spacey or unreal


• Spots in front of the eyes


• Poor memory


• Erratic vision


• Nasal congestion or discharge


• Postnasal drip


• Nasal itching


• Sore or dry throat


• Cough


• Pain or tightness in chest


• Wheezing or shortness of breath

(Adapted from The Textbook of Natural Medicine by Joseph Pizzorno, Jr. and Michael T. Murray)

What to do

If your symptoms suggest candida, follow up with a qualified health care practictioner. There are reliable tests that can reveal the presence of candida.

There are many, many recommendations that are popular for treating candida. Over the counter quick fixes abound. Following these popular recommendations could leave you with poor nutritional choices, unbalanced mood and energy, confused, and probably still with candida.

There really isn’t any single magic bullet which can immediately eliminate chronic candidiasis and restore healthy functioning to the body. Instead a comprehensive approach involving lifestyle, stress management, exercise, diet, nutritional supplementation, glandular therapy, personal foundations and the use of herbal medicines can be used.

If you are interested in finding out more about candida you can contact me for testing, treatment programs and questions.

Free for you! I have a Candida risk screening assessment that you can use to get an idea about how important it might be for you to pursue further testing. If you suspect Candida might be a problem for you, get in touch with me and I will forward this screening assessment to you. Give me a call at 434-263-4996 or email me.