It’s impossible to avoid Candida. It’s always in the body and usually lives harmlessly with all the other bacteria that help us live healthy lives. It’s when an imbalance occurs that Candida multiplies and causes infection. Numerous and varied symptoms make the Candidiasis difficult to self diagnose. Although it’s usually considered a very ‘annoying’ medical condition, Candidiasis left untreated can invade the bloodstream with a possibly fatal outcome.

Candidiasis is typically described as a yeast infection attributed to a common yeast, Candida albicans, which thrives in the vagina, mouth, esophagus, digestive tract, and on the skin. Invasive candida infections occur when the yeast penetrates the bloodstream and proliferates throughout the body and expands the toxin. Candidemia is the 4th most frequent bloodstream infection among hospital patients in the USA.

Thrush is a form of Oropharnygeal Candidiasis (OPC). It usually shows as painless white patches in the mouth. Occasionally cracking at the corners of the mouth can occur. People with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to OPC, although persons who inhale corticosteroids, denture wearers, newborn babies and the elderly can be at risk.

Candida esophagitis is also a form of OPC. An infected esophagus makes it painful to swallow. It is difficult to self-diagnose since the symptoms may indicate other conditions. OPC can result in invasive candidiasis if it is not treated.

Genital/Volvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) is a very common yeast infection. Most women are aware of it since three fourths of them have had it at least once, and it reoccurs 45% of the time. It rarely is sexually transmitted to men.

VVC is accompanied by itching or burning sensations in the pubic area. It may also exhibit a candida vaginal discharge. Conditions such as pregnancy, diabetes and a weak immune system can increase the risk of infection. VVC may be misdiagnosed as a urinary tract infection since symptoms are practically the same. But not all vaginal irritation is caused by a yeast infection. Some sexually transmitted diseases also display the same symptoms and must be treated by a physician.

Cutaneous candidiasis is a skin infection that usually shows up in warm moist environments such as the pubic area or under toenails. Candida is actually a prevalent cause of diaper rash. This kind of candidiasis causes severe itching and is very likely to reoccur. It is especially common among diabetes sufferers.

Systemic candida symptoms result from fungi entering the body, traveling through the bloodstream, and infecting other organs.  Fungi can be introduced into the body by medical procedures and equipments that may not have adhered to protocols of hygienic preparation.  Before Candidiasis can be diagnosed, other possible medical conditions should be ruled out first.  However, fevers and chills that don’t respond as expected to antibiotic treatments should promptly alert your physician to order blood and culture studies to rule out Candidiasis.  Data provided by the CDC shows that 8 out of every 100,000 patients are diagnosed with Candidemia, which is the blood-borne form of systemic candida. 

There are several options if you are concerned about candidiasis, but knowledge of the dangers and benefits must be a priority before making a decision. Self diagnosis and self treatment of Candida bring certain risks. Relief of irritation does not mean that the infection has been eliminated, causing reoccurrences of the symptoms. While most people with yeast infections are successfully treated with antifungal medication, patients with a weak immune system may find a cure for Candida more difficult.

Naturalists believe that a strict candida elimination diet is a total candida cure and can cleanse excess yeast from the body. Because yeasts feed on sugar, you can remove their food source by eliminating it from your intake. As starch and carbohydrates turn to glucose in the body, a strict Candida cleanse would remove these foods from the diet also, with candida wheat must be totally avoided. Replacement foods that will provide your body with essential nutrients must be found to avoid further complications to your health. Although it doesn’t sound logical, Brewer’s yeast can be eaten during Candida recovery. It is an immune enhancing food and will add nutritional support. A Candida diet high in fiber can also be beneficial as it allows food to digest properly.

Herbs and supplements can also be used with a Candida cleanse diet. Garlic is not only an immune stimulant, but a powerful antifungal. If you don’t like the taste of garlic cloves, it is also available in tablet form.

Recommended as remedies are the essential oils of rosemary, oregano, and peppermint. In addition, if ingested in recommended dosages, ginsing, ginger, clove, and cinnamon are non-toxic and can be found in the form of tablets.

The berberine in Barberry and Golden Seal cause Candida to die off.  Along with acting as an anitfungal treatment, these herbs also assists with digestion.  Aloe vera and tea tree oil can soothe the discomforts of yeast infecti  Over-using of some of the herbs in Golden Seal can cause liver irritation.

Several over the counter treatments are available for Candida treatment . Butoconazole Nitrate is an antifungal agent used primarily as a topical cream to treat Volvovaginal Candidiasis. Clotrimazole in the form of a vaginal cream is inserted via applicator once daily, preferably at night, for 7 consecutive. Also available as a lotion, or solution, it can be applied to the affected and surrounding skin areas, generally twice daily in the morning and evening. Miconazole in now also available without a prescription in cream, lotion, powder, spray liquid, and spray powder form to be applied to the skin. It also comes as a cream and suppository to be inserted into the vagina. Another topical treatment, Tioconazole, will treat the infection by killing the fungus or preventing it’s growth.

The most common forms of Candida are treatable with various medications including Intraconzole, Fluconazole, and Imidazole Ketoconazole.

The danger in using unsupervised over the counter medication to treat a yeast infection is that the fungus develops resistance to that medication. Treatment of a misdiagnosis may lead to a resistant infection that is difficult to treat. If you have completed the recommended treatment period, or if your symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks or reoccur, seek medical advice.



By: Greg McKenziw

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