What is Candidiasis ?

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Candida Albicans is a type of parasitic yeast like fungus that inhabits the intestines, genital tract, mouth, esophagus, and throat. Normally this fungus lives in healthy balance with other bacteria and yeasts in the body; however, certain conditions can cause it to multiply, weakening the immune system and causing an infection known as Candidiasis. The fungus can travel through the bloodstream to many part of the body.

Because candidiasis can affect various parts of the body – the most common being the mouth, ears, nose, gastrointestinal tract and the vagina - it can be characterized by many symptoms. These include constipation, diarrhea, colitis, abdominal pain, headaches, bad breath, rectal itching, impotence, memory loss, mood swings, prostatitis, canker sores, persistent heartburn, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, congestion, nagging cough, numbness in face or extremities, tingling sensations, acne night sweats, severe itching, clogged sinuses, PMS, burning tongue, white spots on the tongue and in the mouth,extreme fatigue, kidney and bladder infections, vaginitis, arthritis, depression, hyperactivity, hypothyroidism, adrenal problems, and even diabetes. Symptoms often worsen in damp and/ or moldy places, and after consumption of foods containing sugar or/ and yeast. Because of its many and varied symptoms, this disorder is often misdiagnosed.

When candida infects the vagina, it results in vaginitis characterized by a large amount of white, cheesy discharge and intense itching and burning. When the fungus infects the oral cavity it is called thrush. White sores may form on the tongue, gums, and inside the cheeks. In a baby, the white spots of oral thrush may resemble milk spots. Oral thrush in an infant can spread to a mother’s nipples by breast-feeding, and can lead to a situation in which mother and baby continually re-infect each other. Thrush may also infect a baby’s buttocks, appearing as a diaper rash. Candida infection may also take the form of athlete’s foot or jock itch. Systemic Candidiasis is an over growth of candida everywhere, throughout the body. In most severe cases, candida can travel through the bloodstream to invade every organ system in the body causing a type of blood poisoning called Candida Septicemia. This condition almost always occurs in persons with serious underlying illnesses, such as advanced cancer or AIDS.

Candidiasis may affect both men and women; however it is rarely transmitted sexually. It is most common in babies (an infected mother may pass the fungal infection to her newborn.) and in persons with compromised immune systems. Virtually all people with AIDS have some type of fungal infection. Anyone who has been on long-term antibiotics therapy, or has taken antibiotics often, probably has an overgrowth of candida somewhere in his or her body. Antibiotics weaken the immune system and also destroy the “friendly” bacteria that normally keep candida under control. As it proliferates, the fungus releases toxins that weaken the immune system further. Other factors that increase the chances of contracting a yeast infection include pregnancy and the use of corticosteroid drugs.

Very often, allergies to foods are present in people with candida infections. Oral thrush, athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, fingernail or toenail fungus, and even diaper rash can develop as a result of the combination of food allergies and Candidiasis Albicans. The symptoms of a food allergy can also mimic those of candidiasis. To further complicate matters, some people with candidiasis go on to develop environmental sensitivities as well. Many cannot tolerate contact with rubber, petroleum product, tobacco, exhaust fumes, and chemical odors.