Candidiasis Information

Candida / Candidiasis - More Common Than You Thought

What is Candida Albicans?
Candida is a fungus that lives naturally inside the intestines in balance with beneficial bacteria. It is
also normally present in the vagina and mouth, and its growth is kept under control by bacteria in
those organs. If antibiotics or infections compromise the body’s immune system, the fungus may
multiply rapidly, resulting in thrush (a disease that is caused by a fungus marked by white patches
in the oral cavity) or moniliasis (Candida infection, candidiasis). An estimated one third of the
population in the Western world could be suffering from Candida in some form. Candida is age and
gender irrelevant.

Where Does Candida Primarily Manifest Itself?
The Digestive System - symptoms may include:

bloating
gas
cramps
alternating diarrhea with constipation
food allergies
irritable bowel syndrome.

The Nervous System - symptoms may include:

fatigue
anxiety
mood swings
drowsiness
memory loss
depression
insomnia
mental fogginess.

The Skin - symptoms may include:

hives
psoriasis
eczema
excessive sweating
acne
nail infections.

The Genito-Urinary Tract - in men, common symptoms include:

chronic rectal or anal itching
recurrent prostatitis
impotence
genital rashes
jock itch
loss of interest in sex.

In women, common symptoms include:

PMS (depression, mood swings, bloating, fluid retention, cramps, craving for sweets,
headaches prior to menstruation)
recurrent bladder or vaginal infections
loss of interest in sex.

The Endocrine System - There is a direct link between the immune system, the nervous system and
the endocrine system (glandular system - adrenal glands, pancreas, parathyroid, pineal gland,
pituitary gland, male and female sex glands, thymus and thyroid gland). The thyroid and adrenal
glands in particular are often involved. It is not uncommon to find that the individual suffering
from hypo and hyperthyroidism, especially the auto-immune variety, has fungal overgrowth. Ninety
percent of Candida victims have low thyroid function (Hypothyroidism). Many suffer from
Hypoadrenia, an abnormal decrease in adrenal gland activity.

What Causes Candida?
Candida overgrowth can happen when bacterial/fungal balance in the intestines is affected adversely
by drugs such as:

antibiotics
vaccinations
steroids
birth control pills; chemicals such as: -amalgam -mercury -other toxic metals -pesticides
-aspartame -MSG -perfumes.

Candida overgrowth can also occur from:

a poor diet including refined sugars
consistent alcohol consumption
nutritional deficiencies
overeating
refined, canned, smoked, preserved and fried foods.

Candida overgrowth can also stem from:

diseases such as diabetes mellitus
chronic constipation or diarrhea
genital Candida.

Finally, Candida overgrowth can come from physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual imbalances.
Candida burdens and suppresses the immune system. Food and inhalant allergies, which Candida
commonly causes, also burden the immune system. Additionally, nutrient deficiencies induced by
Candida, may impair immunity and thus contribute to further growth and spread of Candida.

Treatment of Candida
There are no traditional medical treatments or diagnostic tests for this infection. However, Candida
can be treated easily by a change in life style and eating habits. Supplementation and herbal anti-
candida / anti-fungal have proven very effective in elimination of this disease.

The following are guidelines to control Candiditis:
   •        Reduce stress in your life.
   •        Use an herbal intestinal and total body cleanse.
   •        Use anti-fungal supplementation / herbs to rebuild the gut wall.
   •        Use probiotics to reestablish “good” bacteria in the gut.
   •        Go on a strict diet to starve the candida albicans.
   •        Identify and avoid drugs, chemicals, foods and other allergens such as car fumes,
             pollutants, insecticides, preservatives, emulsifiers and food allergens that you know
             trigger Candida and its symptoms. Also, avoid yeast spores released into the air by mold
             in areas such as the bathroom, kitchen and around leaking pipes. Remove the mold or
             move to a dry sunny spot.
   •        Rebuild your immune system on solid ground.
   •        Address all three aspects of your health: body, mind and spiritual wellness.

Your daily routine should incorporate a good diet, plenty of fluid (water), supplements, exercise,
meditation and relaxation.

If you are experiencing symptoms of Candiditis, call today to schedule an appointment. We can help.

There are kinds of fungi (called candida and tinea) that can infect the skin and/or mucous membranes;
they can also grow under the nails, between the toes, or on internal surfaces of the colon and other
organs. Fungal infection of the skin is most common in places where skin tends to be moist and one skin
surface is in contact with another, such as the groin area "jock itch" and between the toes "athlete's
foot" However, moist, possibly itchy, red patches anywhere on the body can indicate fungal infection. In
babies, a fungal infection can manifest itself as diaper rash that makes the skin bright red in
light-skinned babies and darker brown in dark-skinned babies. Fungal infection of the mouth is referred
to as oral thrush, a condition in which creamy-looking white patches form on the tongue and the mucous
membranes of the mouth. If the patches are scraped off, bleeding may result. This condition is most
common in infants and in those with compromised immune systems. Nursing mothers sometimes develop
a candida infection of the nipples that causes severe pain while feeding. This can be further complicated if
the baby develops oral thrush; it can lead to a ping-pong type effect in which mother and baby continually
re-infect each other.

Fungal infection under the nails "paronychia" or between the toes may cause discoloration and swelling,
and the nails may become raised above the surface of the nail bed. In fungal infection of the vagina. yeast
infection, a cheesy discharge is present, usually accompanied by intense itching. Ringworm is a fungal
infection of the skin or scalp characterized by the development of small red spots that grow to a size of
about one-quarter inch in diameter. As the spots expand, the centers tend to heal and clear while the
borders are raised, red, and scaly, giving them a ring-like appearance. Like other fungal infections,
ringworm can be very itchy. Recurrent fungal infections are a common sign of depressed immune
function. The people most likely to be affected are people who have diseases like cancer, diabetes, or HIV
human immunodeficiency virus. Women who use a lot of oral contraceptives and people who take a lot of
antibiotics are also at risk of fungal infection more often. Obesity also puts one at more risk as well.

NAIL DISEASE OR FUNGUS

WHAT IS IT?

A fingernail or toenail infection that is caused by a fungus is called onychomycosis (say:
"on-ee-koh-my-ko-sis"). Toenails are more likely to become infected than fingernails. This infection can
make your nails thick and discolored. You may even have pain in your toes or fingertips.

Anyone can get a fungal nail infection. These infections are more common in adults older than 60 years of
age. They are especially common in people with diabetes or circulation problems. Children hardly ever get
fungal nail infections.

WHAT CAUSES IT?

It may be hard to know where or how you got a fungal nail infection. A warm, wet place is a good place for
a fungus to grow. If you often wear heavy work boots that make your feet warm and sweaty, a fungus can
grow around your toenails. If you often walk barefooted in locker rooms, you can pick up a fungus from
the warm, wet floors.

People whose hands are often wet (for example, dishwashers in restaurants and professional house
cleaners) are more likely to get fungal fingernail infections.

Sometimes several people in a family will get fungal infections in their nails at the same time. This can
happen because their immune systems aren't able to fight off the infection very well or because the
infection is being passed when they use the same towels.

Call today for an appointment. We can help.