What Candida Is
Candida albicans is normally harmless yeast present in a variety of body parts, including the genitals and intestines. This usually benign yeast becomes a problem when it becomes present in amounts too large to be controlled by the beneficial bacteria in the body, resulting in an imbalance.
How Candida Overgrowth Occurs
This imbalance occurs when the either the yeast replicates too quickly or the good bacteria are not present in adequate amounts. The yeast can grow too quickly when the immune system is suppressed by such factors as corticosteroid use, AIDS, cancer or autoimmune disease. This overgrowth can be exacerbated when sugars, processed foods and fermented foods are ingested, as all of these foods provide nutrients on which candida thrive. An infection can occur when this overgrowth occurs or when beneficial bacteria have been killed, as would be the case when a person takes antibiotics, which unfortunately sometimes kill both bad and good bacteria.
Infections that Occur from Overgrowth
Two types of infections can occur when there is an untreated overgrowth of candida that is not controlled by good bacteria- a local infection or a systemic infection. A systemic infection usually follows an untreated local infection.
Local infections can incur in nearly any part of the body, but they are most common in damp areas. Women often get vaginal yeast infections when they take antibiotics or spend too much time in a wet bathing suit. Babies often get yeast infections in the form of diaper rash, the result of skin being kept damp under the diaper. Other common yeast infections are mouth thrush, bladder cystitis and nail fungus.
When a local infection is ignored or improperly treated, a systemic infection can occur. As candida replicates in the intestines, it releases waste products. If these toxins get into the bloodstream via the intestinal walls, they can travel to other organs. These can cause a systemic infection with symptoms such as chronic fatigue, headache, muscle ache, depression and difficulty concentrating.
Tips to Avoid Infection
Because beneficial bacteria are needed to fight the overgrowth of candida, an infection can often be avoided by keeping these bacteria levels high, especially when taking antibiotics. These bacteria are present in cultured foods such as yogurt and are also available in probiotic supplements.
References
- Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective; Dicken Weatherby, N.D.; 2004
- Gut Solutions; Brenda Watson, N.D. and Leonard Smith, M.D.; 2003
