Comprehensive Guide to Symptoms and Treatment of Candida
What is Candida?
Many fungal species, including the yeast species known as Candida, live in the human body. Candida is typically present in small amounts in the mouth and intestines and skin. At normal levels, the fungus is not problematic. In this article we will examine all you want to know about the symptoms and treatment of Candida.
However, when Candida begins to grow uncontrolled, it may cause an infection known as candidiasis. In fact, Candida is the most common cause of fungal infections in humans. Typically, healthy bacteria in your body control Candida levels. However, if healthy bacteria levels are discontinued or the immune system is compromised, Candida may begin to overproduction.
Below are a few factors that can cause Candida to grow excessively.
Taking antibiotics
Eating a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates
High alcohol intake
Weakened immune system
Oral contraceptive
Diabetes
High stress levels
When Candida starts overproduction, it can cause various health problems. In this article, we will examine 7 Candida symptoms and treatment methods.
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What are the Symptoms of Candida Fungus?
1. Oral Thrush
Candidiasis developing in the mouth or throat is called “thrush”. It is the most common in neonates, the elderly and those with weak immune systems.
Individuals with poor oral hygiene or removable dentures are also at risk. People with oral thrush often develop white, ragged patches on their tongue, inner cheeks, gums, tonsils or throats.
The lesions may be painful and bleed slightly when scraped. Oral thrush is also often associated with redness or pain in the tongue and mouth. In very bad cases, it may spread to the esophagus and cause pain or difficulty swallowing.
SUMMARY
If there is too much Candida in the mouth, it can cause white, bumpy lesions in the mouth and throat, redness and pain. This is also known as oral thrush.
2. Fatigue and Exhaustion
One of the most common symptoms of Candida is fatigue. While there is no evidence that Candida causes fatigue, there are several ways in which it can contribute.
First, candidiasis is often accompanied by nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B6, essential fatty acids and magnesium. In particular, magnesium deficiency is known to cause fatigue.
Second, Candida infections usually occur when the immune system is weakened. A low-functioning immune system can make you feel tired and exhausted in itself. One study suggests that prolonged intestinal candidiasis may be a potential cause of chronic fatigue syndrome.
SUMMARY
Candidiasis is most common in people with a weakened immune system and may be accompanied by various nutritional deficiencies. This can make you feel tired and exhausted.
3. Recurrent Genital or Urinary Tract Infections
Candida is found in most women's vaginal area. Its growth can lead to candidiasis of the vagina, also known as a fungal infection. It is estimated that 75% of all women will have at least one vaginal yeast infection during their lifetime and half of them will have at least one recurrence.
Males may also develop genital yeast infections, but are much less common. Symptoms of vaginal candidiasis include redness, swelling, itching, painful intercourse, and an intense white discharge from the vagina. Although much less common, Candida can also cause urinary tract infection (UTI).
Candida-related urinary tract infections are most commonly seen in elderly, hospitalized or immunocompromised individuals. UTI symptoms include burning sensation during urination, frequency of urination, cloudy, dark or peculiar urine, and pain or pressure in your lower abdomen. However, other bacteria, such as parental bacilli, are more likely to cause UTIs.
However, if you suffer from recurrent infections and believe they are a result of Candida growth, you can test your urine to find out.
SUMMARY
Candida can cause genital and urinary tract infections that can cause pain and discomfort.
4. Digestive Problems
The health of your digestive system is based on a good balance between “good” and “bad” bacteria living in your intestines. The “good ter bacteria normally found in your intestines are important for digestion as they help to process starches, fibers and certain sugars. When the bacteria in your bowel become unstable, you may experience digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, cramping and bloating. Recent studies have shown that Candida overgrowth is associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
SUMMARY
It is normal to have small amounts of Candida in the intestines. However, if it starts to over produce, it can cause various intestinal symptoms.
5. Sinus Infections
Chronic sinus infections affect one in eight adults in the United States. Common symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, odor loss, and headache. Although short-term sinus infections are mostly caused by bacteria, many long-term chronic sinus infections are believed to be fungal. A study by Mayo Clinic looked at a group of 210 people with chronic sinus infection and found that 96% of them had fungal mucus.
Antibiotics are the usual method of treating sinus infections. This works for acute bacterial sinus infections, but it does not work for chronic fungal diseases. In fact, treating a chronic sinus infection with antibiotics may make it worse. If you have sinus infections lasting more than a month, Candida may be the culprit.
SUMMARY
Many chronic sinus infections are believed to be caused by fungi. If a sinus infection lasts more than a month, it may be caused by Candida.
6. Skin and Nail Fungal Infections
Just like your intestines, your skin contains bacteria that prevent Candida from growing uncontrolled. All bacteria grow under different conditions, including varying temperature, humidity or acidity levels. Therefore, a change in the environment around your skin may allow Candida to overproduction.
For example, cosmetics, soaps and moisturizers can alter skin conditions, particularly antibacterial variants. While skin candidiasis can affect any part of the body, hot and humid areas such as the armpit and groin are particularly prone to infection. Itching and a visible rash are the two most common symptoms of skin fungal infections.
Overgrowth of Candida can cause conditions such as athlete's foot, ringworm and toenail fungus.
Although not life-threatening, fungal infections can be very uncomfortable and can significantly reduce the quality of life.
SUMMARY
Excessive growth of Candida in the skin can cause conditions such as athlete's foot, ringworm and fungal infections.
7. Joint Pain
If Candida infection enters your bloodstream and circulates in your body, it can infect joints and cause arthritis. This typically occurs only after surgery or when Candida overgrowth is left untreated for a long time. Candida arthritis is associated with pain, stiffness and swelling in your joints.
Hips and knees tend to be most commonly infected. Candida may also cause bone infections or osteomyelitis that may cause pain and tenderness in the infected area. Bone and joint infections are not very common, but once infected they can be very difficult to recover.
SUMMARY
If excessive Candida growth is left untreated, it may enter your bloodstream and circulate throughout your body. When this happens, Candida can infect bones and joints, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling.
How to Treat Candida Fungus?
The best way to treat Candida fungus and prevent recurrent infections is to address the underlying cause. The food you eat plays an important role in maintaining the balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria in your intestines. Refined sugars, carbohydrates and high lactose dairy products can promote the growth of Candida and other “bad” microorganisms. If you have a suppressed immune system, eating too much of these foods can cause infection.
On the other hand, some foods have been shown to specifically promote “good” bacteria that inhibit Candida's growth. The following foods have been shown to help fight Candida infections:
Garlic: Garlic contains an antifungal substance called allicin, which has been shown to be effective against Candida yeasts in animal and test tube studies.
Coconut oil: Coconut oil is high in lauric acid, which has been shown to fight Candida infections in a multiple test tube study.
Curcumin: Test tube studies show that curcumin can kill or at least reduce growth of Candida yeasts.
Xylitol: In a scuba study, xylitol fought against Candida, reducing its ability to adhere to a surface and cause infection.
Aloe vera: Aloe vera gel can prevent Candida from growing in the mouth and prevent infections.
Pomegranate: A test tube study has shown that plant compounds in pomegranate are useful against Candida yeasts.
Kombucha: Kombucha tea is rich in polyphenols and acetic acid, which have been shown to kill Candida in test tube studies.
Probiotics: Probiotics such as Lactobacillus can reduce Candida growth and provide protection against infections.
Unfortunately, dietary changes may not always work, in which case antifungal drugs are the most common form of treatment. Candida is typically not life-threatening, but if left untreated, it spreads and eventually reaches the bloodstream. When the fungus travels through the body, it can affect vital organs such as the brain and heart, and cause more serious complications including death.
SUMMARY
Restricting your intake of refined sugar and carbohydrates can help prevent Candida from overgrowing. In case of infection, some foods, probiotics and antifungal drugs may help.
RESULT
Candida is the most common cause of fungal infections in humans. A few key symptoms can help you determine if Candida is overgrown.
The most common signs of infection include oral thrush, recurrent genital fungal infections, digestive problems, and fungal infections of the skin and nails.
Early treatment of candidiasis is important to prevent it from spreading and causing more serious complications.
This article has been reviewed and approved by the Appvice Dietetic Authorities based on scientific data.
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