Candida is a common type of yeast that is found naturally in the human body. In certain cases, it can overgrow, leading to a condition known as a Candida infection. In this article, we are going to discuss the signs and symptoms of Candida infections, their causes, diagnosis, treatment options, and preventive measures.
What is Candida
Candida is a type of fungus that is often referred to as a yeast. It is typically found in small amounts in the human body, particularly in the mouth, intestines, and on the skin. In healthy individuals, the body’s natural bacteria and other organisms help to keep the Candida levels in check. However, when these levels become imbalanced, it can lead to an overgrowth of Candida, which is known as a Candida infection.
Candida infections can affect different areas of the body and can range from mild to severe. In some cases, Candida infections can cause serious health complications.
Common Candida Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of a Candida infection will vary depending on the location and severity of the infection. Generally, the most common signs and symptoms of a Candida infection include:
- White patches in the mouth or on the tongue
- Redness, itching, and soreness in the affected area
- Thick, white, and clumpy discharge
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Fatigue
- Skin rashes or irritation
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Difficulty concentrating
Causes of Candida Infections
Candida infections are typically caused by an imbalance in the body’s natural bacteria and other organisms. This imbalance can be caused by a variety of factors including:
- Antibiotic use
- Illness
- Stress
- Poor diet
- Weak immune system
- Diabetes
In some cases, a Candida infection can also be caused by sexual contact with an infected partner
Diagnosis of Candida Infections
If you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of a Candida infection, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your doctor will likely conduct a physical examination and may also order laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Your doctor may also take a sample of the affected area to look for the presence of Candida. This is known as a culture test. This test can help to determine the type of Candida present and the best treatment options for your particular case.
Treatment Options for Candida Infections
The treatment for a Candida infection will depend on the type and severity of the infection. Generally, the most common treatment options for Candida infections include:
- Natural Antifungal medications
- Topical antifungal creams or ointments
- Probiotics
- Dietary changes
- Lifestyle Changes
Prevention of Candida Infections
In addition to the treatments mentioned above, there are also several preventive measures that can be taken to help reduce the risk of a Candida infection. These include:
- Maintaining a healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help to keep your body’s natural bacteria in balance, which can help to prevent a Candida infection.
- Avoiding antibiotics: While antibiotics can be necessary to treat bacterial infections, they can also disrupt the body’s natural bacteria, leading to an overgrowth of Candida.
- Wearing cotton underwear: Wearing cotton underwear that is loose-fitting can help to keep the area dry and prevent the growth of Candida.
- Avoiding douching: Douching can disrupt the body’s natural bacteria and lead to an overgrowth of Candida.
- Practicing good hygiene: Practicing good hygiene, such as regularly washing your hands and avoiding sharing personal items, can help to reduce the risk of a Candida infection.
When to use antimicrobials (natural antibiotics)
From my perspective dietary changes alone are not typically enough to manage fungal infection and or SIBO. Nutrition is a key component in the therapy plan, but for patients with fungal overgrowth or SIBO, I always recommend the use of antimicrobials. Generally, herbs are the first go-to, which works in 90% of the cases.
Generally, we work with plant-based, nutrient-rich strategies. Amongst those we use, and which have been backed up by research, are undecylenic acid; uva ursi; cat’s claw; graepfruit seed extract, oregano oil, pau d’arco; monolaurin (Lauricidin); taking a high dosage of biotin which has an antifungal effect; Saccharomyces boulardii, a beneficial kind of yeast which has been shown to not only impede Candida expansion but also restrain cytokine production that is associated with cells contaminated with Candida; and soil-based probiotics which appears to be effective in outcompeting Candida for adhesion sites in the digestive system.
Rebuilding the gut
It is vital to take a two-part approach when dealing with infection or an overgrowth. The first step is to clear away any present infection and the pathogen or the overabundance. The second is to restore and construct. These processes should not be done at the same time, because certain elements used to restore and construct – such as prebiotics – can cause the overgrowth to become worse. Elements such as resistant starches, FODMAPs, and non-starch polysaccharides are beneficial for a long-term recovery and can aid in increasing beneficial bacteria levels in the colon. This is important to prevent any possible recurrence of fungal overgrowth in the future.
It is often observed that patients put too much emphasis on the destruction and elimination of their gut bacteria. They remain on a particular diet or regimen for an extended period of time, which means they are depriving their beneficial gut bacteria of necessary nutrients. It is fascinating to note that there are now studies conducted on this topic. Recently, a paper discussed the effectiveness of the low-FODMAP diet for IBS patients, but it also suggested that doctors should not advise this strategy to be used long-term since it does not contain enough microbiota-accessible carbohydrates which are important for sustaining healthy gut bacteria and it is certainly clear how significant this concept is in the long run.
It is clear that a low-carb diet can be remarkably successful as a short-term therapy for a variety of health issues. However, this is not necessarily to indicate that consuming carbohydrates initially caused the problem. It can be rather confusing. I would like to highlight that once the Candida or fungal growth is balanced, we should not stop there. The next step and final step should always be to regenerate the advantageous beneficial bacteria, which will stop the Candida from becoming out of control again. This is why we always see reoccurring infections as the patient or practitioner might often see a lab of Candida being cleared, however, this is maybe 70% of the battle. A protocol needs to involve the full restoration of the gut to make sure it doesn’t come back.
How can we help?
If you are suffering from IBS issues or have been diagnosed with a Candida infection, reach out to us at the clinic. Our practitioners have years of personnel and professional experience of dealing with Candida,