Candidiasis
What is Candidiasis?
Candidiasis is a condition caused by an overgrowth of a species of the yeast Candida, usually Candida albicans. While these fungi live on all surfaces of our bodies, under certain conditions, they can become so numerous they cause infections, particularly in warm and moist areas, and often of the mucous membranes of the body. The most common examples of such infections are vaginal yeast infections, thrush (infection of tissues of the oral cavity), skin and diaper rash, and nail bed infections.
Excessive yeast production can result from recurrent use of antibiotics, birth control and steroids. Those with a diet high in refined sugars and flours also commonly experience an overgrowth of yeast.
Candidiasis can cause depression, anxiety, foggy head, fatigue, headaches, frequent stomach pains, digestion problems, such as intestinal gas or bloating, cravings for sugar and carbohydrates, skin problems, pain and recurrent infections, the symptoms of which vary depending on location, but may include:
- White cheesy discharge that typically itches and irritates the vagina and surrounding outer tissues signals a vaginal yeast infection.
- Thick, white lacy patches on top of a red base on the tongue, palate, or elsewhere inside the mouth may indicate “Thrush.”
- Superficial candida skin infections appear as a red flat rash with sharp scalloped edges. There are usually smaller patches of similar appearing rash nearby, known as “satellite lesions.” These rashes may cause itching or pain.
- In people with weakened immune systems, candida infections can affect various internal organs and cause pain or dysfunction of the organ.
- If Candida gets into the bloodstream, sickness and fever may occur.
It should be noted that patients may not always exhibit all of the signs or symptoms of candida.
Who is Affected?
Candidiasis is very common and affects women and men of all ages to varying degrees. It also commonly affects infants and children mostly between the ages of three and nine in the form of Thrush or mouth yeast infections. A weakened or undeveloped immune system and metabolic illnesses, such as diabetes, are significant predisposing factors of candidiasis. Almost 15% of people with weakened immune systems develop a systemic illness caused by In these cases, the infection is much more serious than the mucocutaneous form (those affecting the mucous membranes) since it involves the blood stream.
What are the Options for Treatment?
At the Magaziner Center for Wellness, we create individualized programs that usually combine dietary changes and nutritional supplementation. Often we will conduct blood testing not only confirm candidiasis, but to determine the stage of the condition. We use sublingual allergy therapy to help desensitize the body to candida, and work with patients to modify their diets by removing the triggers of excessive yeast production, namely refined sugar and flours, and limiting the overall daily refined or processed carbohydrate intake. We look for nutrient imbalances or deficiencies and rectify those with the use of natural supplements, including, but not limited to probiotics and enteric-coated capsules containing oregano oil, peppermint oil, and other volatile oils, which are thought to prevent the overgrowth of candida, and garlic. These capsules are designed to open upon reaching the intestines.
In cases where a patient had been using steroids – for instance, in the treatment of asthma –we focus on discontinuing their use and, instead, naturally repairing or further strengthening the immune system. We use intravenous infusions of vitamins, including the Myer’s Cocktail – a potent solution that contains a specially balanced combination of vitamins and minerals including magnesium, calcium, vitamin B-5 (dexpanthenol), vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B complex, and an average of 25 grams of Vitamin C. The administration of these supplements by IV allows them to be delivered directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive tract and liver, where many nutrients may be partially or fully lost, or poorly absorbed.
Lastly, at the Magaziner Center for Wellness, we utilize oxidative therapy, namely Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, which delivers extra oxygen into the lungs, brain, blood cells and tissues under pressure. Ultimately, the extra oxygen is delivered to the brain, nervous system, skeletal muscle and all body tissues, resulting in many benefits for both prevention and treatment of Candidiasis and other diseases and disorders.