CANDIDIASIS

(Overgrowth of yeast in the digestive tract)

What is Candida?

It is a condition that was first diagnosed by American physicians in the 1970’s. When we are healthy, Candida live (as yeast) in our intestines where it competes with bacteria for oxygen and space. Under certain conditions it can become pathological, changing into its fungal, anaerobic form. It puts down roots into the walls of the intestines which allow it to other parts of the body. Opening up the permeability of the colon wall is often referred to as ‘leaky gut syndrome’ and can lead to lots of food intolerances as larger molecules of food pass into the bloodstream along with harmful toxins.

In the vast majority of cases, the pathogen is Candida albicans. Occasionally it is a different type of Candida (there are many) or even a different fungus. It is often accompanied by other opportunistic pathogens e.g. undesirable bacteria and/or parasites.

Common Symptoms of Candida

The damage to the intestinal wall allows toxins to enter the bloodstream. This often leads to food allergies, foggy brain, constipation, bloating, flatulence and itchy anus. Once through to the rest of the body, the fungus can live anywhere. It particularly like places with mucous membranes e.g. the vagina, lungs and sinuses.

The fungus has an ability to disrupt the endocrine system causing symptoms such as weight gain or loss, PMS, menstrual irregularities, joint pains, asthma, muscle fatigue, hay fever and chronic tiredness. Testing usually reveals vitamin, minerals and enzyme deficiencies and low blood sugar.

Thyroid tests often indicate that the thyroid is functioning normally, but the body is showing symptoms of an over-active or an under-active thyroid.

Some of the most obvious symptoms of Candida are digestive disturbances (especially acid reflux and bloating), chronic fatigue, thrush, cystitis and fungal infections of the nails or skin, such as athlete’s foot which fail to respond permanently to local medication, creams, pessaries etc.

Causes of Candida

The major causes of Candida identified by members of the National Candida Society questionnaire are:

• Broad spectrum antibiotics – usually for acne, water infections and lung infections
• Contraceptive pill or HRT including "natural" progesterone cream (females)
• Other corticosteroids (hydrocortisone, beconase, prednisolone etc)
• Hormonal changes e.g. puberty, sexual maturity, pregnancy, sterilisation, menopause including peri- and post- menopause
• Dental mercury amalgam poisoning
• Chemical poisoning from the home, office or environment e.g. crop spraying
• Stress (usually as a contributory factor)
• Use of recreational drugs

Getting Tested – by a Practitioner

If you suspect that you may have Candida the first step would be to complete the Candida questionnaire available at Earth Energies clinic. If your collective score for the three sections comes to 80 or higher, then you need to seek further advice and testing.

There are several tests for Candida. These are not available on the NHS i.e. they don’t appear on most Area Health Authorities’ list of approved tests – as Candida is not usually recognised by the Medical Profession.

It is best to get tested than rely solely on the questionnaire as many of the symptoms overlap with other conditions such as low blood sugar. The Bio-resonance testing or the Cambridge Blood Test done at the Earth Energies Clinic can test for Candida as well as food allergies and intolerances, or our Colonic Hydrotherapist is trained to identify Candida during treatment.

As food intolerances tend to accompany Candida, it is really worthwhile getting a food allergy test done. Your recovery will be much quicker if you eliminate the foods that your body has difficulty assimilating.

TREATMENT PLAN FOR CANDIDA

Stage One: Identify the cause of the Candida overgrowth and try to eliminate it.

Stage Two: Strengthen the immune system as this is usually compromised and to help combat the Candida.

Stage Three: Repair Leaky Gut Syndrome – very important to do this before killing off the Candida.

Stage Four: Support and detox liver – the liver will have been over-loaded with toxins, causing a lot of the symptoms experienced by sufferers.

Stage Five: Antifungal Treatment – Because of 'die-off' symptoms this must be administered and monitored carefully.

Stage Six: Anti-Candida diet.

Stage Seven: Probiotic Treatment – Another very important stage as this will put back the 'good bacteria' into the intestines and balance the delicate ecology required for a healthy digestive system.

Many symptoms of Candidiasis are in fact symptoms of the hormonal disruption that underlies Candida - and which underlies other conditions too e.g. low blood sugar. Self-help treatment is beset with pitfalls for the unwary.

Too many sufferers who 'go it alone' spend months on a highly-restrictive diet without improvement because they fail to appreciate the need to:

• address the root cause of their symptoms
• deal with complicating factors, and
• eliminate food allergies / heal the 'leaky gut' to prevent further allergies developing

For this reason Earth Energies will support and provide help with:

diagnosis / interpreting test results / identifying and treating underlying causes / identifying and treating complicating factors that jeopardise recovery / tailoring treatments INCLUDING DIET SHEETS AND RECIPES

COST OF TREATMENT

The National Candida Society