GSE
Candidiasis (Yeast infection):
Candidiasis / Yeast Infection - Information About
What is Candidiasis ?
Tests for systemic Candida
Albicans
Commonly referred to as a yeast infection or thrush.
Candidiasis is a fungal infection (mycosis) of any of the
Candida species. Other technical names for candidiasis include candidosis, moniliasis
and oidiomycosis. The most prevalent species involved in yeast infections is
C. Albicans.
Candida
Albicans
As a controlled population, the yeast form
of Candida Albicans and other species is a normal part of the digestive
tract flora (non-parasitic organisms that live inside
our mouth, throat, intestines and genitouriniary tract, such as L. acidophilus,
B. bifidum, L. bulgaricus, S. thermophilus and L. salivarius )
- One
of Candida's functions is to recognize and destroy pathogenic bacteria
- Candida
does not like an acid environment
- Candida
thrives in damp, moldy places and after consumption of foods rich in carbohydrates
- such as sugars, refined carbohydrates and starches.
When its numbers get out of
control, it is the most frequent of the yeast fungi to cause damage, which
can affect the whole body - some experts estimate that ~ one third of the industrial
nation populations suffer from diseases attributed to candida albicans
(1) Thrush
The common unicellular yeast form of candidiasis
Yeast appears as a whitish plaque, discharge or
rash
Is limited to mucosal membranes in the
mouth or vagina. It is usually easy to cure in people
who are not immuno-compromised;
High risk groups.
Include newborns and adults over 65 years;
Vaginal thrush can be caused by frequent
vaginal douching (in addition to the causes mentioned above).
This disturbs vaginal pH, increasing risk of yeast infection.
Tips to prevent the progression from
this level to the next more aggressive level
- Oral hygiene
is crucial. To remove the candida and prevent the yeast
from becoming more aggressive, which can happen over a period of years. Remember
to brush your tongue, and rinse your mouth with an anti-fungal solution (E.g. 3%
hydrogen peroxide),as well as brushing your teeth.
- Ensure
your body is well-stocked with probiotics. E.g. by either
taking a good probiotic supplement or eating a daily serving of an organic, multi-strain,
live-culture yogurt, containing around 20 billion organisms. This will increase
intestinal acidity, which deters Candida.
How to increase body's probiotic presence
C. Albicans in oval yeast
form (no hyphae)
(2) Mycelial /Chronic candidiasis
With a weakened
immune system, Candida albicans can overgrow and change into an aggressive fungus
In this aggressive form, Candida
sprouts long root-like rhizoids. These are called
hyphae, which Candida uses to anchor to mucous membranes
Symptoms.
Include reoccurring ulcers, red patches, painful sores
"Leaky Gut Syndrome"
Mycelial Candida makes microscopic holes in the gut lining,
through which large food molecules, bacteria and yeast can pass into the bloodstream.
- Allergies.
When undigested substances get into the blood, where they are not supposed
to be, they can cause allergies.
Candida Albicans
is involved in over half of Interstitial Cystitis (IC) cases.
Candida glabrata .
Often no longer visible like
white thrush
.
Candida can not be medically detected
in the small intestine.
C. Albicans in mycelial
form (with hyphae)
Toxic.
Releasing
toxins to many parts of the body, it further weakens the immune system
- Candida
Albicans produces ~100 different toxins putting a great strain on the liver.
The liver can then no longer adequately detoxify the body, resulting
in extreme fatigue and a general feeling of discomfort. These toxins produce pathological
changes in tissues and organs and interfere with proper immune function. Candida
toxins also cause allergic reactions and are responsible for the debilitating symptoms
of Candidiasis.
(3) Invasive Candidiasis (IC)
Rarely, Candida can penetrate the intestinal walls, and
gain access to the bloodstream (called candidemia) and
thus can travel to the central nervous system or organs - where, if untreated,
it is fatal in a matter of days.
Widespread throughout body.
Candida can contaminate the glands, kidneys, bladder, lungs,
heart, liver, skin, mucous membranes and the brain and nervous system producing
a large number of symptoms
Statistics.
According
to the Center for Disease Control, the blood of ~ 8 in every 100,000 people become
infected with invasive Candidiasis (IC) each year in the U.S., and a
review of data from the National Center for Health Statistics and recent literature
determined that IC-associated mortality has remained stable since 1997, at approximately
0.4 deaths per 100,000 population .
Persons at high risk for candidemia.
Include low-birth-weight babies, surgical patients, and those
with immuno-deficiency (E.g. AIDS patients)
