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CANDIDA

Candida is a condition occuring when there is, initially, an excess growth of the yeast Candida albicans (or other species) in the digestive system, which then spreads to other systems and organs.

Candida tends to cause a variety of symptoms, and by relating to different systems, can appear to be unrelated, which puzzle health practitioners.

An herbalist can find and link all the symptoms causing suffering, and thereby understand the underlying cause. Hence, herbalists often diagnose Candida after sufferers have been diagnosed with conditions like IBS, ME (chronic fatigue), skin problems etc: these are often present, but are usually secondary to the Candida infection.

Symptoms

Because the overgrowth of yeast compromises the integrity of the intestinal lining, it often causes symptoms like:

-Headaches
-Foggy brain
-Muscle and joint pains
-IBS/constipation/diarrhea
-Bloating
-Allergies/food intolerances
-Itchy anus
-Flatulence

By overworking the immune system, the person will often feel run down and suffer with:

-Coughs and colds
-Sinusitis
-Ear infections
-Opportunistic infections like fungal infections of the skin or nails.

Because it spreads to other systems, it will often cause:

-Thrush
-Cystitis
-PMS/hormonal imbalances
-Weight gain (particularly around the waist)
-Asthma
-Hay fever

The combination of all these factors explains the most common symptom:

-Fatigue
-Exhaustion
-Lethargy
-Anxiety
-Depression

What causes Candida?

Candida albicans is present in healthy individuals and carries out useful functions. However, it is kept to a limited quantity by other organisms (e.g. healthy bacteria) as well as our immune system. If the balance in the digestive is disturbed, the yeast being able to grow very rapidly, then takes over. Antibiotics are the main culprits in upsetting this healthy balance. The use of Steroids will affect the yeast growth and our immune system, as well as the contraceptive pill. Also, any major trauma or ongoing stress can affect our general health and immune system can lead to Candida.
It generally affects women more than men.
It is rarely recognized by the medical profession as a condition, except in severe cases.

Treatment

Candida sufferers, because of the lack of diagnosis by the medical profession, will often self-diagnose eventually. However, when it comes to treating the condition, self-help and treatment is highly discouraged. It needs to be a multi-factorial approach with a combination of dietary changes, supplementation and treatment with herbal remedies. Restricting the treatment to one of those only will often fail. This leads to further despair and will often aggravate the condition.

My approach is:

-Carrying out a food allergy and intolerance test so that those foods can be avoided as part of the treatment

-Treating the Candida, boosting the immune system, improving the digestion, helping the body eliminate toxins and treating any other system affected (e.g. pessaries for thrush). This will prevent the “die-off” symptoms. None of my patients have suffered with these unpleasant symptoms.

-Supplementing with healthy bacteria which will help restore a healthy environment in the digestive tract.

-Addressing factors like stress, emotional upset, environmental factors etc that may be at the root of the problem.

-Prescribing an anti-candida diet but tailored to the individual’s needs, with a realistic plan, discussing alternative foods so that the diet can successfully be achieved.

With this approach, sufferers respond very well and often some symptoms improve within days of starting the treatment, some within weeks.

The treatment often transforms the life of the person, because:
-They now have a diagnosis
-They have a treatment plan
-They quickly feel more energetic, healthy and positive
-They lose weight
-They do not have to go through a phase of “die-off” symptoms
-They are prepared to have such a limited diet, because they feel so much better.

If you suspect you suffer with Candida, consult a professional who has experience in treating it, you will receive individualized treatment and care and you will regain your health.