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What is Candida?
Candida is a yeast (a kind of fungus). The most common form is candida albicans. Small amounts are on your skin, in your mouth, throat, vagina, or gut.
Normally, it does not cause any health problems. If it grows out of control, you will experience candida overgrowth syndrome (COS). This overgrowth is also known as candidiasis or a candida infection.
How does candida overgrowth happen?
If your immune system and good bacteria levels are healthy, candida overgrowth is rare. However, the most common cause of fungal infections in humans is candida albicans. There are various reasons candida levels become too high.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics cause an imbalance in your gut between good and bad bacteria. The medicine’s job is to kill bad bacteria, but it also kills the good. Probiotics, or good bacteria, work to keep candida levels under control. When the gut has lower levels of good bacteria, candida has the perfect breeding ground.
Researchers studied women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis cases. More commonly known as yeast infections. They learned the women were more likely to have used an antibiotic in the last month than the non-affected patients.
Asthma Inhalers
Asthma inhalers are a necessary tool for people suffering from asthma. Unfortunately, the corticosteroids in them can cause a candida breeding ground in your mouth. Don’t skip rinsing out your mouth after using your inhaler.
Cancer Patients
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment are at an increased risk of a candida albicans infection. The exact reason for this connection is the subject of many studies. Your doctor may suggest using a prophylactic antifungal treatment.
Chronic stress has a direct effect on your immune system. When your body is under stress, it produces higher levels of cortisol that cause inflammation. Now your immune system is working harder to fight off the inflammation and left with a limited ability to control candida. As we discussed above, a weak immune system is the perfect breeding ground for candida.
Diabetic Patients
Diabetic patients with dentures were studied, to determine if they had higher levels of oral candida than non-diabetic patients with dentures. A connection was found between elevated glucose levels and increased oral candida. The researchers determined that improved denture care and oral hygiene did lower the candida levels.
High Sugar Foods
Foods high in sugar or carbohydrates create a breeding ground for candida. Remember, we talked about how candida is a yeast? Well, yeast feeds off of sugar. They gave some mice larger amounts of sugar or carbs than others. The mice that ate more and supplemented with carbohydrates had higher levels of candida.
Oral Contraceptives for Women
Oral contraceptives (the “pill”) usage has a connection to recurrent infections. The same study found that the oral birth control users were more likely to have had a higher number of sexual partners in the 6 months prior to the study. They need more research to determine what the exact connection is between the two.
Weak Immune System
A weak immune system cannot fight off invaders as well. Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus and will take advantage of the immune system’s weakened state. Under these conditions. the overgrowth begins and there is little to stop it.
Symptoms
All the symptoms listed below are indications of candida overgrowth. They are also symptoms of other conditions. Do your research using only trusted sources.
If a candida overgrowth seems possible, talk to your doctor. When choosing a remedy, take the time to find one that has proven success and from a credible source. Remember, it is your health and you are in charge.
- Digestive Issues (Bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation)
- Arthritis and Joint Pain
- Chronic Fatigue
- Intense Sugar Cravings
- Vaginal Infections or itching
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Rectal Itching
- Skin Problems (Psoriasis, eczema, hives, or rashes)
- Fungal Infections of the Skin or Nails
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Increased or Unusual Irritability
- Oral Thrush
- Recurring Sinus Infections
What is candida auris?
A candida, called candida auris, has created a global health threat. Diagnosis is complicated with the usual lab methods. Labs need specific equipment to read labs and interpret correctly.
It is a multi-drug resistant candida. Some strains are resistant to all 3 types of drugs used to treat an infection. This is making it hard to fight the infection and prevent it from spreading.
These combined problems create a health threat on their own. However, there is a third factor in this global threat. This infection causes outbreaks in healthcare facilities. That means it is infected people that already have compromised immune systems. Now we have an infection that is hard to diagnose and treat that infects people at higher risk.
Candida auris is rare in the United States. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, there were 34,800 cases in patients that were hospitalized in 2017. That same year, they estimated that 1,7000 people died.
Prevention starts with washing your hands. If you come in contact with someone that has the infection, wash your hands immediately after touching them. Also, wash your hand after touching any bedding or supplies used by the patient. Medical professionals are directed to inform their local health department when anyone is diagnosed with a candida auris infection.
Summary
Get to know your body. What is normal and what is happening that you recognize as unusual for you. All of our bodies are different. You can’t base your diagnosis on what others have dealt with. Testimonies of others are a great way to find the right direction to turn but remember, you are unique. Research, ask your doctor for advice and decide together what is the best way to proceed.
Don’t ignore the signals your body sends. Candida overgrowth does not have to be difficult to treat. However, left untreated it can become quite problematic. Be proactive when possible and treat your body with all the care it deserves.
The Go Nutrients team hopes you enjoyed this article and find more valuable information here that makes living a healthy lifestyle easier. We are a leading brand of alcohol-free, high potency liquid herbal supplements and vitamins. Our focus is on delivering premium products that are safe and effective. Plus, our products are MADE IN THE USA!