Candida Albicans is a yeast organism which is always present in the mouth,
which is usually controlled and confined to certain areas of the body, such as the
digestive tract, the vagina and certain skin areas. Usually the body's immune system
and a host of friendly bacteria control the yeast, but when the immune system is weak,
Candida can increase.
Common Problems Causing Candida Albicans
This can cause the normal, healthy bacteria of the mouth to become destroyed. This permits the Candida yeast to reproduce unchecked and eventually take control of once healthy mucous membranes. From the mouth, Candida spreads to the remainder of the digestive tract and eventually into the blood stream where it can effect the entire body, especially the endocrine and nervous systems.
- Frequent antibiotics use
- A history of poor eating habits
- Excessive stress
- Flu and intestinal illness
It is the Candida in the mouth that actually "seeds" the rest of the body with additional colonies. Consequently, the process of successfully eliminating Candida means attacking it first at its source, and then at its migratory sights.
Candidiasis is the illness which occurs when this yeast multiplies,
becomes uncontrollable and takes over many areas of the body. An immune system can be weakened by stress, medicines such as antibiotics, a bad diet or a bad environment.
Candida Albicans thrives on sugar. People with Candidiasis have been eating too many sugar products. Sugar is often difficult to calculate in the processed foods we are accustomed to, in our American diets. Often we do not realize how much sugar is added to the foods we eat. A sweet tooth develops and this is not attractive for the immune system.
Candida Albicans is found in two forms. The most common form is as a simple
yeast which causes thrush in the mouth or the vagina. The second form
is that of a dangerous fungus which can push its way through the
digestive tract into the mucus membrane where it causes much damage. This
damage allows undesirable toxins to enter the bloodstream (known as 'leaky gut'
syndrome) which in turn leads to a mass of allergic reactions. This is often
known as systemic candidiasis.
What are the Symptoms of Candidiasis?
Candidiasis can cause many different symptoms which is probably why it has
not been taken seriously in the past or has been difficult to diagnose.
Symptoms can include:
Bloated stomach, sugar cravings, fatigue, thrush,
sore throat, sinusitis, tonsillitis, digestive disturbances, wind, anal itching,
menstrual disturbances, cystitis, hormonal irregularities, food intolerances,
skin problems, alcohol intolerance, bad breath, nail infections, mood swings,
unexplained muscle pain or joint aches, weight fluctuations, and 'foggy brain'.
Candidiasis has also been connected to other illnesses:
ME or CFS,
endometriosis, allergies, fibromyalgia, infertility, diabetes, IBS, heart
disease, colitis, Crohn's disease, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, psoriasis,
eczema, and AIDS.