Candidiasis

The common yeast Candida Albicans is present in every individual. Candida is a unique among opportunistic pathogens. Because it is an ubiquitous fungus commonly found in human and animal flora of the mouth, oropharynx, intestines, vagina and skin. Normally, the yeast lives harmlessly in the gastrointestinal tract and vaginal mucous membrane.

However, occasionally the yeast will over grow and lead to significant disease. In healthy individual with strong immune system, it is harmless and kept in check by good bacteria called acidophilus and bifido bacteria. If the balance of the intestinal environment is altered by a compromised immune system or other factors, the opportunistic candida proliferates, penetrating in to their tissues. The candida becomes pathogenic, transferring from simple yeast in to an aggressive (mycellial) fungus that can severely compromise ones health. This condition is known as Candidiasis. The fungal form of candida appears to permeate the gastrointestinal mucosal lining and break down barriers to the blood stream. When the fungal forms of candida occurs in the body, toxic and allergic substances can penetrate in to the blood stream more easily, where they form immense complexes and perhaps even promote food allergy reactions. Candida can affect areas of the body far from candida colonization in the gastrointestinal tract and vagina. Its symptoms cover a broad spectrum and the condition can cause a number of diseases including allergies, thrush, vaginitis (an invasion of the genitro urinary tract), frequent bladder infections, excessive vaginal discharge and irritation, digestive disorders, liver disorders, nervous system disorders, and auto immune disorders. Manifestations vary in accordance with the differing response of individual patients to this infectious agent. Symptoms may be limited to the site of infestation. They may occur anywhere in the digestive tract, vagina, nails, skin etc. As a result symptoms of this kind vary in character, location and severity.The Clinical Picture: Coated tongue, oral thrush, heart burn, abdominal discomfort, distention and bloating, gas, gastritis, colitis, constipation, diarrhea. Central Nervous System: headaches, lethargy, agitation, hyperirritability, inability to concentrate, memory loss, depression, anxiety, nervousness, loss of self confidence, inability to cope.Genitourinary Tract: Vaginitis, accumulation of yeast can cause irritation, discharge, menstrual irregularities, cramping, endometriosis, cystitis, urethritis, kidney and bladder infections, menstrual problems, premenstrual tension.Generalized Symptoms: Chronic Fatigue, joint pains and stiffness, lethargy, cold hands and feet, increased body hair, numbness and tingling, food cravings especially for sweets, loss of libido, skin conditions, acne, eczema, hay fever, asthma and many more.Causes of Candidiasis Frequent or indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animals and humans. High fat, low fibre, high sugar diets, use of birth control pills, cortisone like drugs and immuno suppressant drugs. According to Ayurveda, candida is usually caused by weakness of digestive fibre. It is usually an ama, or toxic condition caused by accumulation of an undigested food mass in the intestine. It can occur in any of the three doshas (humors), but is most common in Vata (air) or Kalpha (water) condition, as they tend to be lower in agni (fire). Causative factors include eating too many sugars, drugs or stimulants, depressed immune system, emotional factors such as worry and fear, hyper sensitivity of nervous system, as well as general toxic state of our environment.Treatment Eliminate use of antibiotics, steroids, immune-suppressing drugs, birth control pills (unless, there is an absolute medical necessity) - Follow a controlled diet and enhance digestive system. Enhance immune system function- enhance liver function - use nutritional and herbal supplements which help control yeast over growth and promote healthy bacterial flora - eliminate candida toxins by using a water-soluble fibre source such as guargum, psyllium seed or pectin which can bind to toxins in the gut and promote their secretion. Some of the herbs and other medicinal substances used effectively by Naturopathic physicians are as follows:Hydrochloric acid tablets, pancreatic enzymes, caprylic acid, lactobacillus supplementation, grape seed extract and artemesia, garlic, barberry, golden seal, poudarco tea. There are a number of other natural products that a Naturopathic physician may use after careful evaluation.
Candidiasis