What is Candida?
A common yeast infection mainly of moist areas of the body. It is especially common in the vagina, but is also found in the mouth and skin folds. Candidiasis may affect both man and women. It is most common in those who have a compromised immune system, and as it proliferates, the fungus releases toxins that weaken the immune system further. Very often, people with Candida infections also have food allergies. The symptoms of a food allergy or environmental sensitivity can also mimic those of Candidiasis. To further complicate matters, some people with Candidiasis go on to develop environmental sensitivities as well.

Thrush is an infection caused by Candida (albicans), an organism which is normally present in the body in small, harmless amounts. Under certain conditions yeast multiplies rapidly and causes soreness and discharge. Other species of Candida can also contribute to yeast infections.

Our immune systems are designed to defend us from illness. But many conditions in our modern world can compromise it…excessive use of antibiotics or steroids, oral contraceptives, over-acidic ph, hormone imbalances, exposure to environmental toxins and chronic illness. When our immune systems are compromised, a normal yeast present in our bodies, called Candida, can “morph” from being a beneficial yeast into a harmful fungus. This fungal yeast can quickly grow out of the normal balance that nature intended and overwhelm the beneficial flora that normally keeps it in check.

This overgrowth brings on the condition called Candidiasis. This new fungal form develops rhizoids (long, burrowing legs) that hook into and penetrate the mucus membranes in the gut and can cause serious bowl pain and distress. As time goes on, the morphed fungi burrow right through the intestinal wall. This condition, called leaky gut syndrome, allows partially digested proteins and the yeast itself to travel into the blood stream where they become toxins. As undigested foods directly enter the blood stream this may also cause an immediate allergic reaction to those foods. Once the yeast has access to the whole body, you have system wide or systemic Candida.

What causes it?
Anything that disturbs the normal balance of yeast and bacteria or the ph (acid-alkaline) level in the vagina can create ideal conditions for the uncontrolled growth of yeast. The normal vaginal environment can be upset by something as simple as wearing tight jeans or nylon underwear. The risk of yeast infections is also increased by hormonal changes during pregnancy, by the use of birth control pills or spermicides, or by diabetes.

A yeast infection is also likely to develop when the immune system is weakened by illness, stress or lack of sleep, or if it is severely compromised by HIV infection or chemotherapy. Taking antibiotics such as ampicillin or tetracycline commonly leads to yeast infections, because these drugs destroy not only the bacteria causing the illness but also the “friendly” bacteria that keep yeast levels in check.

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 characterised by a wide variety of symptoms, these include constipation, diarrhoea, colitis, abdominal pain, headaches, bad breath, rectal itching, acne, night sweats, clogged sinuses, kidney and bladder infections, adrenal problems and even diabetes. Symptoms often worsen in damp places or after consumption of foods that contain sugar and/or yeast. Because of its many varied symptoms this order is often misdiagnosed.

Recent findings:
According to a recent study many women cannot correctly identify the symptoms of a yeast infection. Nearly 90% of women who had never had a yeast infection and 65% of those who had were not able accurately to “diagnose” a yeast infection after reading medical descriptions of this and other gynaecological problems. Many participants said they would use over-the-counter anti thrush creams to treat more serious conditions (pelvic inflammatory disease and urinary tract infections), for which they are ineffective. So be sure to get a proper diagnosis before treating a vaginal infection on your own.

Systemic Candidiasis
This is an overgrowth of Candida throughout the body. In the most severe cases, Candida can travel through the blood stream to invade every organ in the body causing a type of blood poisoning called Candida septicaemia.

Vaginal thrush
This causes itch and a cheesy discharge. The area is often redder than usual. It is often painful too, especially on intercourse and may be associated with frequency of passing water and burning or pain on passing water. It may, therefore be confused with bladder infections (cystitis). Thrush, however is associated with itching, which cystitis is not.

Oral thrush
This may cause a sore mouth and throat and as well as redness, it is characterised by white discharge on the surface. Babies, especially those being bottle fed may suffer from this as well as adults.

Nappy rash
One cause of a persistent/diaper rash is infection of the area with thrush.

Prevention

Avoid unnecessary antibiotics.
When bottle feeding babies, ensure careful sterilisation of the bottles, including the whole teat. If taking antibiotics, especially repeated courses, consider taking probiotic supplements containing at least five different micro-organisms, “friendly bacteria” plus FOS. (Fructo-oligosaccharides).

Diabetics should attempt to control their blood glucose level as recommended by their doctor.

People using inhaled steroids for asthma should always rinse out their mouth after using their inhalers, and may find that their doctor can recommend a different inhaler device, if they seem to be unduly suffering from thrush.

Some women prone to vaginal thrush find that using cotton underwear and the avoidance of tight clothing help to reduce the risk.

In women with recurrent vaginal thrush, it is often worth their partner using some treatment at the same time, as the infection may affect him without symptoms, and be causing re-infection.

Conventional treatment

Topical treatment
There are various pessaries and creams which you insert into the vagina with an applicator. They contain anti-yeast medicines such as clotrimazole, econazole, fenticonazole or miconazole. However there may be possible side effects (burning sensation or irritation, rashes etc) and used systemically could cause liver damage and should not be taken during pregnancy.

Tablets:
Two options are available. Fluconazole, which is taken as a single dose or itraconazole which is taken as two doses over the course of one day. However they should not be administered to patients with certain kidney disorders or who are pregnant or breast-feeding.