Candidiasis
Candidiasis or "yeast syndrome" is the result of an overgrowth of a particular yeast, candida albicans, in the intestinal tract, genitourinary tract, or both. Normally candida lives in a healthy balance with bacteria in the gut, but certain conditions can lead it to multiply, first proliferating throughout the intestinal tract and then moving beyond the gut to invade tissues and organ systems throughout the body. Candidiasis affects a lot of people, especially women.
In the early stages of candidiasis, localized infections - particularly skin rashes and yeast infections (vaginitis) - are common. Other candidiasis symptoms include:
- chronic fungal infections such as athlete's foot, ringworm, or jock itch;
- fatigue or feeling drained;
- depression or mood swings;
- gastrointestinal problems such as bloating, cramps, chronic diarrhea, or constipation;
- chronic anxiety and tension;
- food allergies;
- poor memory;
- headaches;
- rectal itching;
- extreme sensitivity to chemicals, perfumes, or tobacco smoke;
- severe premenstrual syndrome symptoms;
- muscle or joint pain;
- cravings for sweets, bread, or alcohol
A characteristic feature candidiasis is that the symptoms worsen after you eat sugar or drink alcohol. All forms of sugar (except xylitol) and alcohol feed the yeast and cause it to spread. Symptoms also tend to worsen in damp, moldy climates or environments. If you have five or more of the above symptoms, you may be dealing with candidiasis. If you have two or more of these symptoms, you may want to consult with a health professional to rule out the possibility of candidiasis. Factors that increase your risk of developing candidiasis include frequent use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, ceclor, bactrim, or septra in the past; having used birth control pills for more than a year; frequent or prolonged use of steroid hormones such as cortisone, prednisone, or other corticosteroids; living in a damp, moldy environment; heavy consumption of sweets or alcohol; and having certain diseases such as diabetes, cancer, or AIDS. Recovery from chronic candidiasis can be achieved with a three-pronged approach. First, for three months, eliminate from your diet foods that the candida organism feeds on such as sugar and alcohol. Second, it is often necessary to take an antifungal medication such as nystatin or Nizoral which would be prescribed by your doctor, for a period of several months. Finally, candida tends to crowd out healthy intestinal bacteria, so you need to restore normal bacterial ecology in the intestine by implanting useful bacteria such as lactobacillus acidophilus and lactobacillus bifidus. Probiotic supplements are usually part of the treatment.
|