Candida Infection

Everything You Should Know About a Candida Infection

Modern research in natural therapy continues to uncover the connection between the bacteria in our body and the role it plays in the functioning of our digestive system. Natural treatments are available to deal with illnesses such as a Candida infection, alongside traditional prescribed medication, but an understanding about the functioning of our digestive system is vital to recognize and be able to prevent a Candida infection. While many people may not be aware of what a Candida infection is the symptoms are common such as headaches, digestive problems, joint pain, recurring yeast infections, etc. This article will give you a little insight into the Candida infection as well as provide the knowledge on how to identify a Candida infection and resolve the problem.

Candida can be found in your digestive system, more locally within the intestines. It is not there to upset the balance but more to help the digestion process and promote a healthy system. It is actually a natural flora that is a member of the fungus family and is commonly referred to as a form of yeast. There are a number of species of Candida, of which Candida albicans is commonly perceived as the most harmful. However, the majority of people (around 80%) biologically have it within their systems in some small measure but, for the most part, it is harmless. So how does that translate into an ongoing Candida infection?

So what is a Candida Infection?

A Candida infection is often referred to as candidiasis. This is the umbrella term for thrush and other similar yeast infections that are caused by the overproduction of various species of Candida within the body. A healthy body does not generally allow overproduction because it is fully equipped to keep the Candida at low and harmless levels. However, there are certain circumstances in which overproduction can occur and then begins to impede digestion instead of encouraging it.

If the body is unable to cope with a Candida overgrowth then it has no way of controlling it, let alone dispelling it. However, as overgrowth gets to the stage at which it becomes an infection (when it does begin impeding the body’s regular functionality), it can actually seriously affect our overall health by encouraging the presence of other infections and preventing the body from dealing with them. This is a major problem for people with compromised immune systems or those that have an existing health concern such as cancer or HIV. For the majority of us, it is just an uncomfortable annoyance. However, the Candida infection can be extremely difficult to deal with, which is why it is important to get an accurate diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible. To identify the signs of a Candida infection you have to have a little knowledge of the cause and the symptoms!

The Causes

Many medical experts denounce the idea that the Candida infection exists and this has led to severe delays in terms of research. Few believe that a substance found naturally within the bodies of 80% of the population can actually cause various problems with the immune system of an otherwise healthy body. As a result, many planned projects for Candida infection and related research have not even been given funding. However, the research that has been conducted has not only proved the existence of Candida infection and health related connections to the yeast in our bodies but also made some progress towards revealing its main causes. There are a number of things that can actually aid the overproduction of yeast within the digestive system by speeding up the mating process (known as colonization in medical terms) and rendering the body unable to actually control it naturally via the good bacteria in our digestive systems.

For example, a reduction in the effectiveness of the immune system can have severe consequences and encourage the production of excess Candida, which can lead directly to candidiasis or a Candida infection. There are various factors that can contribute to the overall internal health of the body and damage to immune system, whether on a temporary of permenant basis and they include the following:

- The use of drugs that suppress the immune system
- Excessive use of antibiotics
- Heavy metal poisoning or chemical poisoning.
- A serious illness such as cancer, terminal viruses like AIDS or an ongoing illness such as depression.

There is another acknowledged cause of Candida infection that does not actually result from a compromised immune system, but it does result in integral changes to the chemical composition of the body, which in turn creates a haven for Candida to multiply on a much grander scale. That cause is a change in the balance of the hormones within the body, which in turn leads to a variety of problems and can ultimately lead to a Candida infection. There can be any number of reasons for the change but hormone level is important in keeping the body working at its optimum level so if something causes an imbalance then the rest of the body is thrown out of sync as well. Some examples of causes of hormone imbalances are:

- Use of oral or implanted contraceptives that introduce hormones into the body (birth control pills).
- Use of any form of steroids, most of which will actually send hormones into overdrive with some containing extra testosterone.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
- Natural hormone changes such as puberty, menopause and pregnancy.
- Chemotherapy

Stress can also be a major factor in an weakened immune system and an overgrowth of yeast within the body resulting in a Candida infection. Stress figuratively paralyses the body. As the brain does not seem to be functioning correctly the messages that it relays around the rest of the body are distorted. These distorted messages signal to the body that something is wrong and the body will react by trying to heal itself which is why many people often feel ill or extremely tired if they are under a lot of stress. A weakened immune system creates a scenario for the overgrowth of yeast leading to a Candida infection.

The Symptoms

There are a number of symptoms that are associated with a Candida infection, although this is in part because there are so many Candida infections out there and they all bear different symptoms and different effects. The fungal form of Candida can create some especially chronic symptoms if it is able to spore and thus move through the walls of the intestines. This is an advanced stage of Candida infection but can affect your body in a number of ways.

In fact, there are three groups of infections and illnesses that it can cause:

- Group One – Toxins enter the blood stream owing to the damage done to the walls of the intestines, causing allergic reactions to various foods, migraines and some minor muscles pains.

- Group Two – Candida enter the endocrine system, thus causing thrush, cystitis, ear infections, athletes foot, asthma, menstrual problems, ear and eye infections and various other similar problems.

- Group Three – Intestinal disorders as a result of overproduction such as excess wind, bloating, diarrhea and nausea.

As you can see, all of the above infections are very different in terms of their nature and thus have very different symptoms. However, all include digestive problems such as bloating, gas or nauseas, and the majority of cases will also come complete with thrush. Thrush is a type of yeast infection that is most easily recognized by white patches within the mouth and on the tongue. If you do happen to have thrush then it is a sure fire sign that you have a yeast related illness or more serious Candida infection.

The Possible Solutions

The best solutions when dealing with a Candida infection come in the form of diets. Taking prescription medications can often temporarily relieve the symptoms but do not go far enough and act on your internal problem, because antibiotics continue to kill the healthy bacteria in the body that help to keep the yeast in check. To really get rid of the yeast overpopulation a strict yeast free diet should be started with an emphasis on eliminating yeast and sugars and replenishing the healthy bacteria the body needs to fight against the Candida infection. A healthy yeast diet will help to flush out the system, remove any excess yeast that remains and allow your body to regain control over Candida production. However, no diet should be undertaken without reading all of the guidelines carefully because it is important to get the balance right if you want it to take effect. Just remember though, the sooner that you do something about Candida overproduction the better chance you stand of getting rid of the problem or preventing a more serious Candida infection.