Candida Albicans & You

Candida Albicans is a yeast and a fungus. Everyone is born with Candida in their system. In a healthy body, Candida Albicans is kept in balance by good flora/bacteria that populates the gastrointestinal tract. Unfortunately, in today's culture - with Prescription drugs (antibiotics, the Pill, HRT, cortico-steroid drugs like prednisone, prolific surgeries, etc.), the S.A.D. (standard American) diet and stress, the "good" flora/bacteria in the body is destroyed, which allows Candida Albicans to grow unchecked - and flood the body with its toxins. There are over 60 known toxins given off by Candida ~ and these have been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier and affect us in many ways, including 'brain fog', depression and insomnia. Symptoms of an over-abundance of Candida albicans can include:

1) Thrush appears as creamy-white or bluish-white patches on the tongue - which is inflamed and sometimes beefy red - and on the lining of the mouth, or in the throat.

2) Diaper rash caused by candida is an inflammation of the skin, usually red and sometimes scaly.

3) Vaginitis is characterized by a white or yellow discharge. Inflammation of the walls of the vagina and of the vulva (external genital area) causes burning and itching.

4) Infections of the fingernails and toenails appear as red, painful swelling around the nail. Later, pus may develop.

5) Infection of the penis often results in balanitis (inflammation of the head of the penis).

6) An infection in the bloodstream can affect the kidneys, heart, lungs, eyes, or other organs causing high fever, chills, anemia, and sometimes a rash or shock. Candida can cause the following problems depending upon the organ infected:
a) In the kidneys can cause blood in the urine
b) In the heart can cause murmurs and valve damage
c) In the lungs can cause bloody sputum (mucus discharge)
d) In the eyes can cause pain and blurred vision
e) Iin the brain can cause seizures and acute changes in mental function or behavior

Usually for Diagnosis of Candida Albicans by a doctor, a medical history, physical exam, and laboratory tests, including blood tests, blood cultures, stool analysis and wound cultures may be done. Tissue biopsy may be necessary to diagnose invasive systemic disease.