What is The Candida Fungus?
Candida fungus is a yeast-like fungus that lives in small numbers inside our body.
When these levels of candida rise above the normal, there are infections & diseases like thrush, skin rashes (such as athlete’s foot), psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.
Candida symptoms can be many or just one depending on the host person -the immune system level and the stage of disease, among others.
Generally, signs show up at mucus membranes such as the mouth,
vagina, rectum. It has an affinity for the genitals too! It causes intense itching during urination or after sexual intercourse, a prevalent but not well-known candida symptom. Another not very common sign is a white coating on the tongue.
What are the causes of candida overgrowth?
There could be many reasons why candida starts to overgrown, and some of them are listed below:
– Taking antibiotics for an extended period kills the “good” bacteria in our body, which keeps the candida fungus under control.
– Birth control pills, steroids, and other hormone therapy can imbalance the natural hormonal levels in our body, which can trigger candida overgrowth.
– Consuming too much sugar or foods high on the glycemic index (GI) like refined grains, processed foods, etc., allow the yeast to thrive and multiply.
– Excessive alcohol intake or chronic candida or yeast infection can also contribute to this problem.
– Stress, anxiety, and depression are other physical conditions that allow candida overgrowth to keep on thriving in our bodies.
What are the effects of candida overgrowth?
Candida infection causes many problems inside the digestive system. Other than thrush, it causes diarrhea, constipation, food allergies, etc. It disrupts healthy nutrient absorption & metabolism, which creates toxins resulting in acne outbreaks.
Some of its most common symptoms are fatigue, migraine headaches, brain fog & memory loss. People who have an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus erythematosus would benefit immensely from getting rid of their candida infections since it could worsen their condition.
Candida overgrowth is also known to suppress the immune system & make a person more susceptible to other infections. In addition, it is one of the major causes of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. So, it is imperative to get rid of candida overgrowth if you are experiencing any of these problems.
How can I know if I have candida overgrowth?
The symptoms of candida overgrowth are not very specific and can vary from person to person. If you think you might have this problem, it is best to get tested by your doctor. Various lab tests can be done to check for candida fungus in the body.
There are also some self-test kits that you can use at home to check for candida overgrowth. One such test is the “Candida Albicans Antigen Test,” which checks for the presence of candida antibodies in the blood. However, these tests are not 100% accurate and should only be used as a guide.
How can I get rid of candida overgrowth?
There are various ways to get rid of candida overgrowth, and some of them are listed below:
– Cut down on sugar and processed foods in your diet and eat more whole, unprocessed foods.
– Increase your intake of probiotics either through supplements or by eating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, etc.
– Avoid alcohol consumption and intake of antibiotics if possible since these are some of the significant reasons for candida overgrowth. Antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in our body, triggering a yeast infection.
– Try herbal remedies that have been known to have anti-yeast properties or use natural antifungal agents such as olive leaf extract, caprylic acid, grapefruit seed extract, etc.
– Herbal remedies and antifungal agents can be too intense for some people and might cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. Hence, it is better to use them only under your doctor’s direction.
candidiasis treatment:
You may have tried anything to get rid of the yeast infection, but have you ever thought about what causes the Candida albicans (a fungus) in your body? Well! Candidiasis is caused by an overgrowth of this yeast in your gastrointestinal tract that affects the vagina, mouth, or skin.
This usually happens when there is a change in pH level or immunity gets weakened due to any reason like diabetes, alcohol consumption, steroid intake, etc. Restoring the balance among these microorganisms can be done with a proper diet and healthy lifestyle choices.
One must avoid sugar as much as possible since it feeds on yeast; fermented food like vinegar should also be consumed moderately. Since yeast thrives in a moist environment, one needs to dry their body by wearing loose clothing and cotton undergarments.
Foods rich in probiotics, like yogurt and kefir, help restore the good bacteria in the gut and discourage yeast growth. Also, garlic is a great natural antifungal that can be consumed either cooked or raw; adding it to your food will help eliminate Candida albicans.
Cutaneous candidiasis:
Candida overgrowth on the skin is called cutaneous candidiasis. It appears as a red, itchy rash treated with antifungal creams or powders.
Oral candidiasis:
This type of yeast infection appears in the mouth and is caused by Candida albicans. It can manifest as white patches on the tongue, gums, inner cheeks, and roof of the mouth. It is treated with antifungal medications in lozenges, liquids, gels, or tablets placed in the mouth and allowed to dissolve.
Vaginal candidiasis:
This is the most common form of yeast infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vagina. It can cause itching, burning, and an often thick and white discharge. It is treated with antifungal medications in creams, gels, vaginal tablets, or suppositories inserted into the vagina.
Depending on your type, there are many different ways to treat a yeast infection. However, the most important thing is to find out what is causing the overgrowth of Candida albicans to prevent it from recurring. Then, with a little bit of effort, you can restore balance within your body and get rid of those pesky yeast infections for good!
symptoms of oral thrush:
oral thrush is a yeast infection that affects the mouth. It can cause white patches to form on the tongue, gums, inner cheeks, and roof of the mouth. These patches may be painful or itchy, and they can sometimes bleed. Oral thrush is treated with antifungal medications in lozenges, liquids, gels, or tablets placed in the mouth and allowed to dissolve. Some common symptoms of oral thrush include:
-White patches on the tongue, gums, inner cheeks, or roof of the mouth
-Redness or soreness in the mouth
-A burning sensation in the mouth
-Thrush (a creamy white substance that coats the tongue)
cutaneous candidiasis symptoms:
cutaneous candidiasis is a yeast infection that affects the skin. It appears as a red, itchy rash treated with antifungal creams or powders. Some common symptoms of cutaneous candidiasis include:
-A red, itchy rash
-Small blisters that may ooze or crust over
-Scaling or flaking skin
-Peeling skin around the edges of the rash
vaginal candidiasis symptoms:
vaginal candidiasis is a yeast infection that affects the vagina. It can cause itching, burning, and an often thick and white discharge. Some common symptoms of vaginal candidiasis include:
-Itching in the vagina
-Burning sensation during urination or sexual intercourse
-A discharge that is thick and white
-Pain during sexual intercourse
-Swollen and red clitoris
Depending on your type, there are many different ways to treat a yeast infection. However, the most important thing is to find out what is causing the overgrowth of Candida albicans to prevent it from recurring. Then, with a little bit of effort, you can restore balance within your body and get rid of those pesky yeast infections for good!