Candida, or Candidiasis, is caused by candida overgrowth. In its benign form and in smaller quantities, Candida is inside all of us – in the digestive tract, mouth, and throat – isn’t a health problem.  But candida can become too prevalent within the gut and change into its more virulent, fungal form.  This fungal form of candida produces rhizoids – barbed appendages that cut into tissue and can cause candida to spore through the intestinal wall.

Once Candida has turned virulent and has made it’s way through the intestinal wall, it produces a multitude of problems and symptoms.  One of the most prevalent is Leaky Gut Syndrome. Meaning that the irritation and sporing caused by candida, has made the intestinal wall too permeable, so that it actually leaks undigested food and toxins into the bloodstream.

While Candidiasis can be caused by a number of factors, and is typically the result of more than one cause, the recurrent use, or overuse, of antibiotics is often at least a contributing factor.  Antibiotics kill off many of the good intestinal flora that restrain candida growth. Allowed to grow unchecked, candida can then morphs into its fungal form and cause the problems and symptoms associated with Candidiasis.

You should also know that while candida overgrowth is not difficult to confirm through lab testing, an actual medical diagnosis of Candidiasis can be difficult to obtain, as mainstream medicine has not widely or fully recognized candida overgrowth as a health concern.

Your best course of alternative health treatments involves a combination of actively fighting the Candida Infection, re-establishing good intestinal flora within your gut, and helping your intestinal wall heal by removing irritants within your diet and ensuring better digestion of your food within your stomach. Better digestion can often be achieved through supplementation with digestive enzymes and/or Betain HCL & Pepsin.

  Candida can be caused by:

• Use of antibiotics
• Steroids
• Birth control pills
• Heavy metal toxicity
• Exposure to pesticides
• A weakened immune system, such as in the case of AIDS
• Type 2 diabetes
• Chemotherapy and radiation treatments
• A poor, unbalanced diet

  You may have Candida if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Severe itching sensation of the skin
• Dry mouth and tongue, cracked tongue, bleeding gums
• Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Painful and frequent urination
• Vaginal burning, itching, or painful intercourse
• Vaginal discharge with a white, cheesy appearance
• Unusual menstrual cramping
• Difficulty swallowing
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Abdominal pain, bloating, or gas
• Constipation, diarrhea, or mucus in the stool
• Depression, anxiety, sudden mood swings, lack of concentration, headaches, drowsiness, or fatigue
• Muscle and/or joint pain and swelling
• White patches in the mouth and fissures at the corners of the mouth (i.e. thrush)
• Skin irritation in the folds of the skin, such as in the groin area or under the breasts; white pustules may be present
• Ulcers
• Fever
• Retinal abscess (As a defensive cellular reaction to a Candida yeast infection within the eye's retina, pus collects inside an inflamed tissue pocket, which may permanently damage vision.)¹

Diagnosis

The following tests and procedures may help you find out what is causing Candida:

• Online Self-assessments – Self-assessments, such as the Candidiasis Self-assessment may help you determine some of the root cause(s) of your chronic conditions. Learn more about self-assessments.