If Candida is an on going problem is your life then you need to consider your overall health and not just what's going on 'down there'. There are many reasons for developing candida and they can be treated.
Candida as described by Mosby's Medical, Nursing and Allied Health Dictionary 3rd Edition, is a genus of yeast-like fungi including the common pathogen, Candida albicans.
Candida albicans lives naturally in the body; however in some conditions there can be an overgrowth which causes a set of symptoms. Candida is commonly seen in the vaginal and gastrointestinal tract and is commonly known as 'thrush'. The symptoms of thrush can be overriding and uncomfortable.
Symptoms of Candida
- Pruritus
- White discharge
- Peeling
- Easy Bleeding
Causes of Candida
- Diet Imbalance
- Antibiotics
- PMS
- Oestrogen Dominance
Antibiotics kill germs in the body but unfortunately are not selective to particular pathogens, therefore the dis-balance in intestinal bacteria promotes growth of candida albicans.
When there is too much candida albicans in the body, it causes the set of symptoms mentioned above.
Diet can cause candida by upsetting the intestinal tract. If you have a diet that is high in processed foods, sugars and simple carbohydrates then you could be at risk of developing candida. Candida feeds on sugar which promotes growth.
Premenstrual syndrome and oestrogen dominance can contribute to the formation of thrush by upsetting the balance of hormones which indirectly affects the bacterial growth in the intestines.
Many oestrogen dominant women have found that they regularly contract candida just before their period.
Candida Treatment
Candida can be treated effectively with natural medicines that have been proven to help. Probiotics that contain a number of different strains of lactobacillus taken orally have been proven to replenish the good bacteria in the intestinal tract. This discourages overgrowth of candida.
If you are taking antibiotics and wish to prevent candida, you can still take Probiotics at the same time but make sure there is a two hour interval between antibiotics and probiotics.
Diet needs altering if candida is a regular problem. Cut down on processed foods, breads that contain yeast, and sugars. This will prevent candida from thriving.
If you have oestrogen dominance or struggle with PMS every month then action is needed to re-balance the hormones. Hormones can be tested at home or by your practitioner.
Candida is quite easy to treat if you eliminate the causing factors and assess your diet. If you have eliminated all the factors mentioned above and still having trouble with chronic candida, it is advisable to see your Doctor or Health Provider for more testing.
Kristin Collins - Having graduated as a Naturopath in 1995 I then went on to work as a consulting Naturopath in several different pharmacies. During this ...
