Candida Diagnosis

Candida is yeast, considered a normal part of our intestinal flora, usually in the mouth, throat, intestines and genitourinary tract. Its purpose is to fight against harmful bacteria that occur in the body.

Its presence in the body, then, is not problematic and is balanced by a properly functioning immune system and bacteria. If the immune system stops working properly, or the level of bacteria in the body becomes too low - as can happen when antibiotics are too many of the body set up - then Candida overgrowth may occur. All things that contribute to Candida overgrowth are toxic metals - like mercury in dental amalgams, genetic disorders, hormonal imbalances caused by pregnancy, birth control pills or thyroid disorder, and even drinking too much alcohol kills the friendly bacteria and allows Candida to grow.

The symptoms of Candida overgrowth of uncomfortable debilitating. Yeast infections, overgrowth of Candida in the genital region, and thrush, a fungal infection of the mouth are two of the most familiar terms associated with Candida. Other symptoms of Candida overgrowth can range from hair loss to chronic fatigue. milder symptoms of Candida include body rashes, acne, thrush and yeast infections, food allergies, sinusitis and tonsillitis. More problematic are the symptoms of fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and psoriasis. Candida can also affect mental and behavioral responses, forgetfulness, confusion, insomnia, depression and anxiety. Finally, the most severe symptoms of Candida can include hives, hypertension, and even a malfunction of the endocrine system, digestive system and circulatory system. http://www.candidarelief.com/candidasymptoms/

Candida releases toxins into the blood, among them, ethanol, which can cause symptoms of alcohol intoxication, and acetaldehyde which can damage organs and contribute to the loss of memory and thinking twisted. Clearly, Candida should not be taken lightly, and it is contagious. We can not look but can be transmitted through sexual contact. If the other party has a healthy immune system, however, the Candida will be killed and the person will suffer no symptoms.

It is also difficult to diagnose for a number of reasons. It shares symptoms with other conditions such as gluten intolerance and hypothyroid - and any combination thereof may be present simultaneously, adding to the difficulty of diagnosis. Even healthy people have Candida present in their systems, so simply establish its presence does not make a diagnosis. available tests are able to recognize that some of the 150 known strains of Candida. The sample cells may die while waiting for analysis resulting in a false "normal" result. With the test, then, other factors must be considered before the diagnosis can be made. The physician must consider whether the patient has a history of factors that are known to result in Candida infections and establish that there are associated symptoms. In addition, the physician who knows the experiences of the dietary treatment and antifungals to see if there are reactions consistent with Candida overgrowth.

Once the presence of Candida infection has been established there are a variety of means to alleviate symptoms and bring the Candida under control. All antibiotics must be stopped. The anti-fungal such as fluconazole, nystatin and ketoconazole may be prescribed. Changes in diet, such as elimination of sugars and white starches, and the addition of essential oils and acidophilus, may be recommended to restore the balance of the system. Although the diagnosis and treatment of Candida can be difficult, the return to good health is well worth the trip.