How Do You Know If You Have Candida
Candida overgrowth has been found to be a frequent complication
or even a causative factor in many of today's illnesses.
Treatment is available but diagnosis has to come first. Yeast is
normally found in the mouth, throat, intestines and
genitourinary tract. Its presence in the body is not normally
problematic and is balanced by a well-functioning immune system
and friendly bacteria. If the immune system ceases to function
properly, or the level of friendly bacteria in the body becomes
too low - as can happen when too many antibiotics are introduced
to the body, when steroids are used, when everyday stress
becomes overwhelming or with poor diet choices - then Candida
overgrowth may occur.
Someone with an overgrowth of yeast can experience any number of
unpleasant symptoms such as a genital yeast infection, thrush in
the mouth, fatigue, skin rash, depression and anxiety. The
symptoms of Candida overgrowth are frequently treated with
anti-fungal remedies. Even with these remedies, however, if your
diet is not changed to create an environment within the body to
prohibit the overgrowth of Candida, relief is sure to be
temporary, and problem symptoms will return.
As Candida is a normal component of the body's natural flora,
using conventional laboratory testing to determine the need for
treatment isn't always helpful, and generally can only help to
diagnose the late stages of a yeast infection. Current
methodologies for testing include checking for the presence of
yeast cells in the urine, saliva and stool, or the gut
fermentation test which involves testing the blood for alcohol,
dosing the patient with sugar and testing their blood again - if
alcohol shows up in their blood it is assumed it has occurred
from fermentation from the yeast in their gut.
It is also difficult to diagnose Candida overgrowth for a number
of reasons. It shares symptoms with other conditions such as
gluten intolerance and hypothyroid - and any combination of
these can be present simultaneously, adding to the difficulty of
diagnosis.
Another factor is that available tests are able to recognize
only a few of the 150 known strains of Candida and the cells in
the specimen may die while waiting for analysis resulting in a
false "normal" result. Along with the test, then, other factors
have to be considered before a diagnosis can be made. The doctor
must consider if the patient has a history of factors that are
known to result in Candida infections and establish that there
are symptoms present associated with it. Additionally, the
knowledgeable physician will experiment with dietary and
antifungal therapy to see if the there are reactions consistent
with Candida overgrowth. http://www.candida
relief.com/candidatest/
Both herbal remedies and prescribed medications can be helpful
in treating a yeast infection along with dietary and lifestyle
changes. Check with your herbalist as to dose, mode of use and
formulations. For antifungal remedies not available over the
counter check with your doctor about side effects, costs and
availability.
Researchers are working on discovering better testing protocols
to establish earlier the need for treatment.
Keeping your immune system, "friendly" bacteria, and Candida in
proper balance is possible with a combination of proactive
changes; by altering your current diet, and with the responsible
use of medicinal or herbal treatments you can maintain a healthy
body.