Yeast Infections (Candida) and What You Can Do About Them!

 

 

What is Candida?

 

Candida is a highly adaptable fungus that causes oral thrush, athlete's foot, vaginal yeast infections, and systemic candidiasis. Small numbers of candida are found in the intestinal flora of healthy men and women of all ages. Fungal overgrowths that lead to unpleasant symptoms are caused by a combination of cumulative factors, including poor diet, stress, prescription medications, and chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes. Candida albicans is the most common form of yeast that causes related medical conditions. The effects of chronic and systemic candidiasis are not fully understood, however, infections have been linked to fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, ADD, and many other conditions.

 

Candida organisms releasemore than 70 known toxins that accumulate in the joints, spinalfluid, and soft tissue.

 

Since the mid 1990s, researchers at Stanford University, MIT, and Harvard have been mapping genomes of the common Candida albicans fungus. Decades of innovative DNA research have changed the way scientists view and treat candida. To evolve and thrive, the fungus is constantly mutating its gene sequences. Candida is capable of spontaneously rearranging data, deleting gene patterns, and changing chromosomal repeats similar to the way computers rapidly handle and exchange data packets.

 

 

·         gastrointestinal distress

·         headaches and dizziness

·         hypoglycemia

·         infertility

·         inflamed prostate

·         learning difficulties

·         lupus

·         memory loss

·         multiple sclerosis

·         mood swings

·         PMS and breast tenderness

·         skin rashes and chemical sensitivity

·         sore throat and coughing

 

Causes of Candida

Candida and chronic cadidiasis are caused by the excessive overgrowth of a natural and generally harmless fungus that inhabits the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and genital region. Candida is a commensal fungus that inhabits the surface of the skin along with many beneficial organisms. Commensal organisms like candida are parasitic, which means the fungus lives and feeds, causing harm to the host.  When the healthy bacterial balance is thrown off, the opportunistic candida takes advantage of the situation causing a fungal overgrowth.

When candida gains a foothold in this manner, it dominates the intestinal microflora and prevents beneficial organisms from reestablishing themselves. If left unchecked, candida infections can become systemic and enter the bloodstream.

 

 

Severe candida overgrowth causes the fungus to penetrate the membranes of the intestinal lining where it compromises organ function. By moving through the membrane, the candida creates microscope pores in the intestines that can contribute to leaky gut syndrome and other conditions. Most cases of candida are caused by C. albicans, however, infections with C. glabrata are gaining prevalence due to the species' vigor and resistance to antifungal medications. Causes of Candida Include:

 

 

·         Antibiotics

·         Antacids and Anti-ulcer Medications

·         Chemotherapy

·         Cortisone and Steroid Medication

·         Dentures

·         Environmental Pollutants

·         Heavy Metal Buildup

·         Low pH

·         Immune Suppressants

·         Inadequate Digestive Enzymes

·         Medical Transplants and ICU Treatment

·         Oral Contraceptives

·         Poor Diet High in Carbohydrates and Refined Sugars

·         Stress

·         Synthetic Estrogen

·         Type One Diabetes

·         Weak or Compromised Immune System

 

 

Candida Symptoms

Candida thrives in warm, moist, and dark locations. Systemic candida infections or candidiasis cause chronic symptoms that greatly surpass the effects of athlete's foot, oral thrush, and vaginal yeast infections. Yeast and fungi are living organisms that survive through a metabolic process. Carbohydrates and sugars are very important ingredients for feeding and sustaining yeast colonies.

 

 

Poor digestion or a diet with low nutritional value can create conditions where Candida thrives. Candida organisms release more than 70 known toxins that accumulate in the joints, spinal fluid, and soft tissue. Among these toxins are ethanol, histamines, mycotoxins, and acetaldehyde that overload the liver, target the hormonal system, and inhibit immune response.

 

 

Side effects vary from slow healing time to muscle soreness and flu-like symptoms. Acetaldehyde is a relative of formaldehyde that causes mutation on the cellular level. When combined with toxins that impaired immune response, mutated cells are allowed to regenerate. To boost the strength of the invasive microorganisms, candida releases the potent toxin proteinase. Ethanol produced by the metabolic process causes effects similar to a chronic alcohol hangover.

 

 

Candida also releases histamine that causes patients to develop rashes, hives, and allergies to the healthiest foods. In some cases, patients may also be allergic to the candida yeast. Candidiasis can lead to hormonal imbalances and metabolic disorders that mimic many medical conditions. The ability to disguise itself as so many common maladies has caused candidiasis to be an under-recognized and frequently undiagnosed condition. Common symptoms of Candidiasis include:

 

 

·         ADD and ADHD

·         anxiety and depression

·         arthritis

·         autism

·         congestion and sinusitis

·         Crohn’s and IBS

·         constipation

·         craving for alcohol and sugary foods

·         difficulty concentrating or brain fog

·         chronic fatigue

·         flatulence and bloating

·         fibromyalgia and muscle pain

·         weight gain.

 

 

Treatment for Candida in Mesa & Queen Creek Arizona

If you are experiencing any the above symptoms for an extended period of time, please contact me for a free consultation.  Just because you experience several of the symptoms, it doesn’t mean you have Candida.  The only way to for me to provide treatment, and begin a plan of action to make you feel better, is to begin with an office visit.

 

 

I started the Ashley Chiropractic Wellness Center based on providing you with highly personalized care and treatment, for the entire duration of your therapy.  I specialize in the following treatments for fatigue, which may be used in combination with other holistic healing services, to provide solutions for your fatigue:

 

 

·        Nutrition Response Testing may be used to help heal the body from within. It is a healing and preventative treatment that contributes to overall feelings of wellness and restores your energy by properly fueling the organs in your body.

 

 

I sincerely hope you will contact me and take advantage of my free consultation.  We both share the same goal for your overall wellness.