What is Candida & Candidiasis?

Candida albicans is a type of yeast that is naturally present in the digestive tract and vagina. It is normally kept under control by good bacteria as well as the immune system. However, if the good bacteria are killed or the immune system is weakened, the candida can grow beyond normal limits, causing infections such as oral or vaginal thrush, or skin infections. Too much candida in the intestines can result in an infection called candidiasis.

Candida can be controlled by conventional medication but this is not necessary as there are natural therapies that can help. 

What is Candidiasis and Its Common Symptoms?

Candidiasis, also known as moniliasis, is a type of fungal infection that commonly affects immunocompromised people, including newborns, patients receiving antibiotics or cancer treatment, individuals with diabetes, kidney disease, or HIV or AIDS. It is caused by a candida overgrowth, which propagates in the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, mouth and vagina, among other parts of the body.

Fatigue, headaches, mood swings, depression, poor memory, rashes, toenail fungus and sinus congestion are signs of candida overgrowth in the body or on the surface of the skin. However the symptoms in an infected person may vary, depending on where the yeast forms and its severity. 

There are different types of candidiasis, but the most common one are as follows:

Oral Thrush

Also known as oropharyngeal candidiasis, this type of infection occurs in the mouth and throat. When the candida is located in the esophagus, it's called esophageal candidiasis. The symptoms of candidiasis in the mouth and throat include:

• White patches on the tongue, gums, roof of mouth, inner cheeks and throat
• Redness or soreness in the mouth
• Cracks on lips and corners of the mouth
• Pain when swallowing

Vaginal Candidiasis

This condition is usually called vaginal yeast infection or vulvovaginal candidiasis. It is common in women who are pregnant, taking birth pills or diabetic. The common symptoms of genital yeast infections include the following:

• Itching in the vaginal area
• Painful urination
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• White vaginal discharge
• Redness or swelling of the vulva

Invasive Candidiasis  

It is possible for candida yeast to travel through the bloodstream and into the internal organs of the body through a medical device. People who have a weakened immune system or recently undergone a surgical procedure are more prone to this type of yeast infection. Its symptoms vary depending on the organ that is affected. However, the most common ones include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Low blood pressure 
• Abdominal pain
• Urinary tract infections

How Do You Get Candidiasis?

Candida does not cause any major health issues in healthy people. But when it multiplies in the gut of a person with a weakened immune system, the fungi may resort to a slew of symptoms. A high intake of refined sugars and processed carbohydrates, in addition to long-term antibiotic usage, leads to a disturbed microbiome in the gut, causing the overgrowth of candida. The infection can be acquired through the following ways:

• Poor diet
• Poor oral hygiene
• Medical equipment that comes into contact with blood 
• Mother to child transmission through childbirth
• Sexual intercourse with an infected person

What is an Effective Treatment for Candidiasis?

Over-the-counter medication, such as antifungal treatment, is often prescribed by medical doctors to alleviate the symptoms of candida infections. However, it's worth noting that this will not put a stop to the yeast overgrowth. An effective treatment of candidiasis involves restoring good bacteria in the body through the following steps:

Dietary Changes

One of the most important things that you can do when it comes to rebalancing the candida in your digestive system is to make changes in your diet. You should avoid eating sugar wherever possible as sugar promotes the growth of yeast. Also, avoid foods that are made with yeast, such as bread that has been made with yeast, beer, mushrooms, tomato paste, and cheese. Increasing the amount of fibre in your diet is also beneficial as extra fibre will help to absorb and eliminate the toxins produced by candida. For more information see nutrition.

Supplement the Good Bacteria

One good bacteria that you can take to control candida is acidophilus. Acidophilus controls candida by making the intestinal tract more acidic, which discourages candida from growing. It also produces hydrogen peroxide which actually kills the candida. Acidophilus is available in yoghurt, probiotic drinks, such as Yakult, and capsules, which are available at health food stores.

Lactobacilli, such as lactobacillus acidophilus, also help to keep the vagina at the correct pH level, which stops harmful bacteria from growing. Bifidus is another important probiotic that you should consider. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) help to feed the good bacteria so that more of it is able to reach the gut. As well as increasing the amounts of good bacteria in the gut, FOS also reduces bad bacteria. You should look for supplements that are dairy free.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine can be very valuable in helping to control candida. For example, grapefruit seed extract is very good for helping to get rid of systemic candida – candida that has spread right throughout the body. Caprylic acid is a strong antifungal, and the hulls of the black walnut have also been shown to have strong antifungal properties, making both of these excellent choices for treating candida.

Garlic is well known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, and it is very effective for treating candida. Enteric-coated garlic capsules are particularly useful, or you could eat fresh garlic. One natural treatment for vaginal thrush is actually inserting a clove of garlic into the vagina, making sure that it is easily removed, of course.

Echinacea is also great for stimulating the body’s defenses, and it has been shown to be useful in helping to reduce the recurrence of vaginal candida. Suma is another herbal option as it improves immune function as well as increasing your energy levels.

You could also opt for enteric-coated capsules that contain volatile oils such as oregano oils and peppermint oil, which are useful for preventing candida from overgrowing. You will probably need to take these capsules for several months.

A candida overgrowth can lead to a severe infection if it's not treated immediately. But, why wait for that to happen when these natural remedies are within your reach? Get in touch with a nutritionist, dietitian, naturopath or herbalist in your local area through the Natural Therapy Pages to find out the best way to stop yeast overgrowth and keep your friendly gut microbiota in check.