Oh Candida! - pretty name for always feeling bad......
Candidiasis is an infection caused by strains of the yeast - Candida, the most common being Candida Albicans. Candida is normally present in the digestive tract and the vagina. During certain favourable conditions such as warm, humid weather (living in Bali will do it nicely) or when an individual's immune system is impaired the yeast proliferates and can affect the skin. Mucous membranes in the mouth and vagina are also commonly affected. In rare cases Candida can invade blood and deeper tissues causing life-threatening infection.
People may sometimes develop a Candida infection after taking antibiotics. The antibiotics kill the bacteria that normally keep the Candida under control, allowing the Candida organism to grow unchecked. Pregnant women, diabetics and obese people are also prone to Candida infections. Corticosteroids also promote the growth of Candida.
Commonly Infected Areas
- Skinfolds, including the navel and anus. Symptoms include a red rash with patchy areas oozing whitish fluid, pus may also appear. The area will itch and burn. Perleche is a Candida infection at the corners of themouth, creating cracks and tiny cuts. It can also be caused by ill-fitting dentures.
-Vagina (vulvovaginitis), occurring most often in pregnant women, those taking antibiotics or those with diabetes. Symptoms include a white or yellow discharge, with burning, itching, and redness on the walls and the external areas of the vagina.
- Penis, occurring mostly to men (natch!) with diabetes or whose sexual partner has a vaginal Candida infection. A red, scaly, often painful rash appears on the underside of the penis. However, an infection of the penis (or the vagina) will not always cause discernible symptoms.
- Thrush, caused by a Candida infection of the mouth. Creamy white patches will appear on the tongue or sides of the mouth. Thrush can appear in a healthy child; however, in an adult it may be a symptom of a more serious disorder such as diabetes or AIDS. The use of antibiotics can also cause Thrush.
-Paronychia is caused from Candida growing in the nail beds resulting in a painful swelling and secretion of pus. Infected nails may turn white or yellow and separate from the surrounding skin.
Candidiasis or Yeast Syndrome?
Most conventional doctors restrict a diagnosis of candidial infection to the previously mentioned conditions. When there is doubt, cultures may be obtained to prove the diagnosis and check for susceptibility to antifungal agents. Alas, conventional physicians often encounter the vexing and increasingly common problem of women who have frequent vaginal yeast infections that are difficult to control. Many of these women are treated with multiple courses of potent antifungal agents, often without relief. And indeed, which can compound the problem.
This problm may be explained by another condition known as the "Yeast Syndrome", which is not clinically defined as candidiasis, but which is much more general and adversely affects the health and quality of life of countless millions of men and women. It is often left undiagnosed and untreated for years. The condition was identified by Dr Crook in his book "The Yeast Connection", which defines the term candidiasis much more broadly than does conventional medicine. What Crook and others refer to is a syndrome in which the predominant features are: fatigue, a generalised malaise, gastrointestinal complaints, recurrent general infections, allergies, skin problems, decreased concentration, depression, irritability and a craving for sweets or carbohydrates. The cause of this is said to be an overabundance of yeast in the bowels and elsewhere caused by the over-use of antibiotics.
While this may appear to be a very generalised list of symptoms the Yeast Syndrome theory as underlying cause rings all too true. I meet men and women all over the world who are not clinically diagnosed by their doctors with any definable condition, yet whose quality of life is markedly reduced by all or some of the above symptoms. If you suffer some or all of these symptoms, check in with yourself and see if it makes sense to you. If it does, then you're probably onto something worth pursuing further with a doctor more open to this broader diagnosis and the appropriate treatment for it. Many patients who have been diagnosed with yeast syndrome do get better when they follow a diet essentially devoid of sugar, yeast-containing substances and wheat.
Since yeast syndrome symptoms are so general it is often hard for people to assess if they have it or not. Dr Crook in his book put together an excellent questionnaire which allows you to judge for yourself (if you can't find the book and want the questionnaire, contact me and I can get a copy to you). It is also well worth your testing the acidity and alkaline levels (pH) in the stomach and duodenum.
Treatment
Treatment of Candida depends on the location of the infection. Infection of the skin is easily treated with medicated creams and lotions, often containing nystatin. Suppositories can be used for vaginal and anal infection. Thrush medications may be taken as a mouthwash or slowly dissolving lozenge. Along with an antifungal cream, hydrocortisone for skin infection may be used to relieve pain and itching. Keeping the skin dry will help to clear up the infection and prevent its return.
Most people have an occasional bout with candidiasis at one time or another in their lives. This article is directed to those who either have recurrent infections or suffer from yeast syndrome. It is very important first to screen for the more obvious and common causes like diabetes or chronic steroid use. The challenge then is to look for the more subtle problems that impair immunity. It is important to realise that, particularly with yeast syndrome, there is a vicious circle and you can become predisposed because of antibiotic overuse. Then when the syndrome takes hold, immune function is further impaired, making it all the more difficult to treat. For that reason anyone suffering from recurrent yeast infections should adhere to the following suggestions, particularly with regard to diet.
Sugar is Not for You.....
The importance of the removal of sugar cannot be overstated. Often people suffering from this problem have serious sugar and carbohydrate cravings that are of an addictive nature. Unhappily there is no magic bullet. Failure to change diet will result in failure to recover from the problem. Anyone who tells you that you can merely take an antifungal drug is mistaken!
Some experts say that decreasing honey and fruit juice during the period of recovery is sufficient. Many physicians feel that people need to eliminate these foods entirely during the recovery period and re-introduce them slowly. The same may be said for dairy products. Yeast containing products are also a definite no. Consideration should also be given to supplemental hydrochloric acid and pancreatic enzymes to assist proper digestion.
Most sufferers will wonder how long they must stay on such a diet? The truth is that as far as sugar is concerned, one should never resume its use. The other foods may be re-introduced slowly. It is wise to work with a physician who you know is experienced with recurrent yeast infections and who, most importantly, you know has treated them successfully. As you become more attuned to your body a certain sensitivity develops letting you know that eating certain foods leaves one feeling "not right".
Often people find that after 2 to 4 weeks of following this diet they begin to feel worse. This is good! Most often it is the result of the yeast dying off and releasing toxins. For this reason the diet should contain plenty of fibre to ensure proper elimination. Follow this diet for 2 to 4 weeks before initiating treatment with antifungal agents, natural or otherwise.
Perhaps the most effective natural thing you can do to treat antibiotic-associated bacterial infections like yeast syndrome, whether vaginal or intestinal, is to take probiotics, the beneficial beneficial micro-organisms - bifido and acidophilus bacteria. The daily intake of bifido bacteria can dramatically increase the beneficial bacteria in the gut to help fight Candida infections. Bifido bacteria feed on a special sugar trademarked under the name Nutraflora. One teaspoon of Nutraflora a day promotes the proliferation of friendly bifido bacteria in the gut. Acidophilus bacteria also helps fight Candida in the upper intestinal tract. Garlic (not Kyolic), biotin, and caprilic acid have a direct yeast killing effect in the intestine. Fibre in the diet also helps remove yeast and fungus from the intestines. There are certain yeast fighting formulations available on the market. The daily ingestion of 150 ml of yoghurt enriched with live Lacto acidophilus increases the colonisation of friendly bacteria in the vagina and rectum, reducing the occurrence of vaginitis. But, yoghurt will not help those with yeast syndrome or those with a known milk sensitivity. Recent studies have also shown tea tree oil to be effective against as a topical agent for skin infections and paronychia.
Other things to consider are goldenseal and oregano oil, both of which have antifungal properties. Goldenseal is best taken as an infusion of tea. Oregano oil should come as an enteric coated capsule to protect you from a bad bout of heartburn. Shark liver oil has also demonstrated an antifungal effect.
When diet and "natural" therapies fail, a number of antifungal drugs can be considered. One is nystatin, which only works in the bowel and is not absorbed systematically. The other is the most potent FDA-approved drug available: Diflucan. One month's treatment with Diflucan can temporarily eradicate a systematic Candida infection so that anti-candida nutritional supplements like a yeast-fighting formulation, probiotics and Nutraflora can prevent a new Candida infection from occurring. Drugs alone will not prevent the reccurrence.
Summary
- First step is to investigate carefully and rule out possible underlying problems.
- For a one-time infection use local treatment with a topical antifungal.
- Follow the yeast syndrome diet for 2 to 4 weeks before initiating antifungal therapy, but probiotics can be started at this stage.
- Take probiotics with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobaccilus bifidum.
- Use HCI (hydrochloric acid) and/or pancreatic enzymes.
- Consider garlic, biotin and caprylic acid.
- Consider goldenseal infusion or about 4 grams, 3 x p/day in capsule form.
- Consider oregano oil, enterically coated, one capsule 3 x p/day on empty stomach.
- Consider shark liver oil, up to 5 capsules p/day for no more than 30 days.
- If the above remedies fail, consider a course of oral nystatin or Diflucan.
- Lastly, consider orthomelecular therapy with intravenous vitamins, particularly Vitamin C.
Oh, and one last thing. If any of you guys think this is mainly a women's problem think again. As many men as women suffer candida overgrowth with equal ill effects. It is just that the symptoms are not as readily apparent.
If you are fatigued, suffer a generalised malaise, gastrointestinal complaints, recurrent general infections, allergies, skin problems, decreased concentration, depression, irritability and a craving for sweets or carbohydrates - you probably have undiagnosed Yeast Syndrome.
