Do I have a Candida overgrowth issue?
Candida albicans is a species of yeast — a single-celled fungus, in fact – that lives naturally in the body. This yeast is a normal part of the microbes that live on your skin and in your gastrointestinal tract.
I have come to believe that “Candida overgrowth” is one of the main underlying issues behind every health condition today. Here is why:
First, it is important to understand that Candida Albicans (yeast) is part of your natural microbiome of the intestinal tract. Normally it is harmless and you don’t even know it’s there. But when you start to have a recurrent illness and strange symptoms that go unexplained, you can bet candida is the base issue of that condition. In the elderly, you see many respiratory issues, some that put them into the ER. What happens then is a treatment just makes things worse? More antibiotics and more steroids, which creates a repeat customer. The underlying problem is the overgrowth of yeast.
All living things produce waste.
These wastes, when excreted in your body are toxins (acetaldehyde are some known toxins). Your own liver and enzyme systems must detoxify these toxins, but with a sluggish liver, this may be difficult. This is why in all candida cases we always recommend a liver/gallbladder flush with the protocol you would be performing.
When the yeast colony count becomes too large, your systems (Ex: lymphatic, etc) are unable to keep up with the toxic overload and you develop the symptoms of candida overgrowth. We call these toxins, “endotoxins,” and when your body becomes weak and can no longer detox your body’s own endotoxins, this is when the first symptoms begin.
The liver produces a powerful detoxifying antioxidant called Glutathione, when its levels become low as found in an Organic Acid Test (OATS) the body has a difficult time cleaning up these endotoxins. A whole wave of other problems come along with this condition, for example, Autistic children, accumulate large amounts of Calcium Oxalates. This is when the calcium ingested with meals does not go to the right place, it begins to store in the soft tissues, which can be painful. When you see these children in pain and crying often, it is usually because their body can no longer detox its endotoxins.
Anyone can begin to have an accumulation of high calcium oxalates and suffer from body aches and pains like for example fibromyalgia. Most of us know excess calcium oxalates as ‘kidney stones.” The kidneys can also accumulate phosphate oxalates as well. So if you keep getting kidney stones there is a good chance you also have…you guessed it – candida overgrowth!
Only when you learn how to combat candida is when these types of conditions will begin to reverse themselves.
Almost every chronic illness we see in our office has a candida overgrowth component. How do we know this? First, your symptoms. Second, we perform a simple urine test, an Organic Acid Test (OATS). This test can be performed in your own home, so it is an easy process. These results show it all, unlike a blood test, you will see the Calcium oxalates will normally be off the chart along with Clostridia bacterial levels high and a change in your neurochemistry. Dopamine and Serotonin levels can be out of balance as well, which means you have had this for a while and this would explain the emotional changes.
When the candida levels in adults become extremely high, you will see an accumulation of the next invader, MOLD SPORES. When this is positive, it is likely that now your brain is being affected and your brain cells are actually dying – this is an extremely important finding! The term for this condition is called “Leaky Brain.” It means that if you do not make changes soon, you run the risk of having early Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other serious brain conditions. This is something that some people never recover from, but the good news is that early detection is possible.
What we now know, is that through the overuse of antibiotics, hormone or steroid use, depression of your immune system, stress, pollution, bad diet, or a combination of the above, the yeast colony count (total number of organisms) has overgrown in your gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary systems. You will also see skin conditions appear as well.
Ready to get on a “Candida Cleanse program” yet?
Well, let’s learn more.
Candida is very deceptive. It can mimic many “disease” states from brain tumors, heart attacks to stomach ulcers. It can also mimic chronic fatigue syndrome, early senility, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. One seminar I attended, a known doctor in the field announced that “Fifty percent” of patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis merely have a yeast overgrowth issue. You will never be rid of the Candida in your GI system because as stated, it’s a normal gut microorganism. The yeast, when under control, has its own benefits in the gastrointestinal tract.
Here are 10 symptoms you may have with Candida Overgrowth:
- Sugar Cravings (it’s your yeast that are hungry)
- Oral Thrush (infections in your mouth and throat)
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Fatigue and shortness of breath
- Mood Swings/ADD/OCD
- Respiratory infections
- Digestive issues (bloating, gas, constipation)
- Sinus infections
- Skin and Nail fungal infections
- Joint Pain
What can I do to combat candida?
Three actions are needed to be successful:
- STARVE the yeast by making dietary changes (NO sugar, wheat, or dairy)
- COMBAT yeast with various nutritional aids (#1 aid is Grapefruit Seed)
- REPLENISH your gut with helpful Probiotics to keep the yeast in check
Even though mainstream medical systems do not see the value of Probiotics, they have been behind for the last 20 years, so why should they understand now? So if you are not exactly feeling yourself these days, and have been wondering what else could it be that is negatively affecting your health…there is a good chance that Candida overgrowth has entered into your life and needs to be dealt with.
The most important thing to remember is to get tested! We can mail to your doorstep today, your Organic Acid Test. Find REAL answers to your issues!
Make your appointment with Dr. Price today, even make a “Virtual” call to get started. If you would like a basic kit, get our Essential Candida Cleanse Kit from Ki-Essentials.com today!
Here are some other ways you can identify Candida infections:
Candidiasis of the mouth or throat
Other names for candidiasis of the mouth or throat are oral thrush and “oropharyngeal candidiasis.” It can cause the following symptoms:
White patches on the:
- palate
- tongue
- inner cheeks
- gums
- a cottony feeling in the mouth
- redness or inflammation
- slight bleeding
- a loss of taste
- pain or soreness in the mouth or throat
- pain when swallowing
Candidiasis of the skin
“Cutaneous candidiasis” is the medical term for this skin infection. Because Candida thrives in warm, moist environments, cutaneous candidiasis often develops in the folds of the skin.
Cutaneous candidiasis can cause the following symptoms:
- inflamed skin that may crack or peel, in people with darker skin
- red, circular patches surrounded by red pustules, in people with lighter skin
- areas of itchy skin
- hair loss, if the infection occurs on the scalp
Candidiasis of the nails
An overgrowth of Candida around the nail beds can cause candidiasis of the nails. Symptoms may include:
- pain, redness, and swelling around the nail
- white or yellow nail discoloration
- cracked nails
- separation of the nail from the nail bed
- pus
Candidiasis of the vagina
A Candida infection on or inside the vagina is called a vaginal yeast infection or “vaginal candidiasis.” These infections are common.
Some possible symptoms of vaginal candidiasis include:
- white, clumpy vaginal discharge
- vaginal itching or soreness
- pain during sexual intercourse
- pain or discomfort when urinating
Candidiasis of the penis
A Candida infection on the penis is called “penile candidiasis.” The condition is less common than vaginal candidiasis. A person may develop penile candidiasis after sexual intercourse with someone who has vaginal candidiasis.
Penile candidiasis can cause painful swelling at the tip of the penis. Other possible symptoms include:
- irritation and burning around the head of the penis and under the foreskin
- difficulty pulling back the foreskin
- a thick, white substance building up around the foreskin
- shiny white or red patches on the penis
- an unpleasant odor
Candidiasis of the blood
“Candidemia” is the medical term for a Candida infection of the bloodstream.
The symptoms vary, according to the location of the infection in the body. However, it can cause generalized symptoms, such as fever and chills.
The condition may also cause septic shock, with the following symptoms:
- a fast heart rate
- rapid breathing
- low blood pressure
HISTORY
Just another history lesson on Candida.
Descriptions of what sounds like oral thrush go back to the time of Hippocrates circa 460–370 BC.
Vulvovaginal candidiasis was first described in 1849 by Wilkinson. In 1875, Haussmann demonstrated the causative organism in both vulvovaginal and oral candidiasis is the same.
With the advent of antibiotics following World War II, the rates of candidiasis increased. The rates then decreased in the 1950s following the development of nystatin.
The colloquial term “thrush” refers to the resemblance of the white flecks present in some forms of candidiasis (e.g. pseudomembranous candidiasis) with the breast of the bird of the same name. The term candidosis is largely used in British English, and candidiasis in American English. Candida is also pronounced differently; in American English, the stress is on the “i”, whereas in British English the stress is on the first syllable.
The genus Candida and species C. Albicans were described by botanist Christine Marie Berkhout in her doctoral thesis at the University of Utrecht in 1923. Over the years, the classification of genera and species has evolved. Obsolete names for this genus include Mycotorula and Torulopsis. The species has also been known in the past as Monilia albicans and Oidium Albicans. The current classification is nomen conservandum, which means the name is authorized for use by the International Botanical Congress (IBC).
The genus Candida includes about 150 different species; however, only a few are known to cause human infections. C. Albicans is the most significant pathogenic species. Other species pathogenic in humans include C. Auris, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. dubliniensis, and C. lusitaniae.
The name Candida was proposed by Berkhout. It is from the Latin word toga candida, referring to the white toga (robe) worn by candidates for the Senate of the ancient Roman republic. The specific epithet Albicans also comes from Latin, albicare meaning “to whiten”. These names refer to the generally white appearance of Candida species when cultured.
So, in conclusion, Candida has gone through many changes and phases of reference and significance. We hope you enjoyed your history lesson of the day.