Conditions

Candidiasis

Candida albicans, a single-celled fungus, is always present in the genital and intestinal tracts. If it is present in disproportionate quantities, however, it can cause infection. Diaper rash, vaginitis, and thrush are some of the possible manifestations of candida infections.

Normally, "friendly" or probiotic, bacteria (Lacto bacillus acidophius and bifidobacterium bifidum) limits the growth of the candida albicans yeast and stops it from invading new territories.

Signs and Symptoms:

Because candidiasis can affect various parts of the body ­ the most common being the mouth, ears, nose, toenails, fingernails, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina ­ it can be characterized by a wide array of symptoms. These include:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Colitis
• Abdominal pain
• Headaches
• Kidney and bladder infections
• Arthritis
• Depression
• Hyperactivity
• Hypothyroidism
• Adrenal problems
• Bad breath
• Rectal itching
• Impotence
• Night sweats
• Severe itching
• Clogged sinuses
• Memory loss
• Mood swings
• Prostatitits
• Canker sores
• Tingling sensations
• Acne
• Skin inflammation, redness or itching
• Depression
• Persistent heartburn
• Muscle and joint pain
• Sore throat
• Congestion
• PMS
• Burning tongue
• White spots on the tongue and in the mouth
• Extreme fatigue
• Nagging cough
• Numbness in the face and extremities
• Diabetes

Diagnosis:

The method of diagnosing candidiasis differs according to the variant that's believed to be present. Physical examination to assess appearance and clinical symptoms are usually the first step, and may be all that's needed. Sometimes doctors will want to do a culture of the area to be sure.

A systemic antifungal drug can actually be a useful diagnostic tool. If you have symptoms that may be related to candida infection and an anti-fungal drug makes these symptoms improve quickly, this is a good indication that an overgrowth of candida is behind the problem.

The most common forms of candidiasis include: thrush, vulvovaginitis, and diaper rash.

Treatment Options:

A number of topical and systemic antifungal agents are available for treating the subtypes of candidiasis. Topical agents include oral rinses, oral tablets (troches), vaginal tablets or suppositories, and creams. Fluid and electrolyte therapy may be required for more serious cases.

Alternative treatments have long been used to treat various forms of candidiasis and are particularly useful in preventing candidiasis from developing.

Traditional Treatments:

• Fluconazole, or a similar drug, such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, or terbinafine may be prescribed to treat candidiasis. Often these drugs are prescribed as part of the diagnosis procedure. If you take one of these drugs, your liver function may need to be checked at intervals.
  Warning: Do not take an antifungal and astemizole or cisapride together as this can result in serious cardiac effects. Do not take antifungals with triazolam as it can result in an intensification of triazolam's sedative effects.
• Nystatin (Mycolog, Mycostatin, Nilstat and others) is an anti-fungal drug that is very useful for thrush.
• Vaginal candida infection is usually treated with local applications of butoconazole (Femstat 3), clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin), terconazole (Terazol) or miconazole (Monistat). A single oral dose of fluconazole (Diflucan) may be useful as well.
• Skin infections are treated with topical forms of the previously mentioned drugs. If that is unsuccessful, oral doses of griseofulvin (Gris-PEG, Grifulvin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or intraconazole (Sporanox) may be necessary.
• Fungal infections of the nails tend to be resistant to topical treatment. Systemic anti-fungal treatment with itraconazole or fluconazole, taken orally, has become a more popular conventional approach.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies:

Alternative therapies can be very useful for preventing and treating candidiasis.

Nutritional Supplementation:

• Garlic inhibits the infecting organism and is considered one of the best anti-fungal agents available. Take 2 or 3 times daily. For candida vaginitis, use Kyolic vaginal suppositories as directed on the label.
• Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) supply a special form of carbohydrate that can be digested by friendly bacteria but not by yeast. This allows the "good guys" to grow like mad, while the "bad guys" tend to get starved out. Take with probiotic supplements.
• Probiotic supplements provide your body with the friendly bacteria that control candida. Be sure to use the non-dairy form.
• Caprylic acid is an antifungal agent that destroys the candida organism. Take as directed on label.
• Essential fatty acids (black currant seed oil and flaxseed oil) can help prevent the fungus from destroying cells. Follow label directions.
• A good vitamin B complex will help in metabolizing sugar and thus limiting candidiasis.
• Biotin inhibits the pseudohyphae form of candida, which is the most irritating to membranes .
• Candida Forte by Nature's Plus is good for mild cases.

Alternative Therapies:

• Aloe vera juice has been shown to boost the white blood cells' ability to kill yeast cells.
• Olive leaf extract is a powerful healer of microbial infections.
• Clove tea alternated with Pau d'arco (also known as lapacho or taheebo) can help heal candidiasis.
• Wild oregano oil is considered a powerful aid in killing a range of fungi.
• Cat's claw enhances the immune response and has anti-fungal properties.
• Echinacea and goldenseal together have antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Take one dose of a combination formula supplying 250 to 500 mg of echinacea and 150 to 300 mg of goldenseal twice daily for ten days.
• If candidiasis affects the skin, try applying a 5-percent solution of tea tree oil directly to the affected area twice daily.
• Try applying a wet tea bag to sooth sores when applied to the affected skin.
• Goldenseal powder can be applied directly to the sore. It can also be diluted and used as a mouthwash for thrush.
• Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 8 ounces of pure spring water and swish the mixture around in your mouth. Baking soda reduces the acidity of the mouth and also promotes healing of irritated tissue.
• Fireweed (Epilobium parviflorum): quite effective as a tea for oral, vaginal, and intestinal candidiasis.

General Recommendations:

• Avoid sugary sweets.
• Make sure your diet is as fruit-free, sugar-free and yeast-free as possible while fighting candidiasis.
• Avoid aged cheeses, alcohol, baked goods, chocolate, dried fruits, fermented foods, all grains containing gluten, ham, honey, nut butters, pickles, potatoes, raw mushrooms, soy sauce, sprouts, and vinegar.
• Do not use corticosteroids or oral contraceptives until your condition improves. Oral contraceptives can upset the balance of microorganisms in the body, leading to proliferation of c. albicans.
• Wear white, cotton underwear and change underclothing daily.

Warnings:

• Do not take an antifungal and astemizole or cisapride together as this can result in serious cardiac effects.
• Do not take antifungals with triazolam as it can result in an intensification of triazolam's sedative effects