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How Do You Know If You Have Candida
Candida overgrowth has been found to be a frequent complicationor even a causative factor in many of today’s illnesses.Treatment is available but diagnosis has to come first. Yeast isnormally found in the mouth, throat, intestines andgenitourinary tract. Its presence in the body is not normallyproblematic and is balanced by a well-functioning immune systemand friendly bacteria. If the immune system ceases to functionproperly, or the level of friendly bacteria in the body becomestoo low – as can happen when too many antibiotics are introducedto the body, when steroids are used, when everyday stressbecomes overwhelming or with poor diet choices – then Candidaovergrowth may occur. Someone with an overgrowth of yeast can experience any number ofunpleasant symptoms such as a genital yeast infection, thrush inthe mouth, fatigue, skin rash, depression and anxiety. Thesymptoms of Candida overgrowth are frequently treated withanti-fungal remedies. Even with these remedies, however, if yourdiet is not changed to create an environment within the body toprohibit the overgrowth of Candida, relief is sure to betemporary, and problem symptoms will return.As Candida is a normal component of the body’s natural flora,using conventional laboratory testing to determine the need fortreatment isn’t always helpful, and generally can only help todiagnose the late stages of a yeast infection. Currentmethodologies for testing include checking for the presence ofyeast cells in the urine, saliva and stool, or the gutfermentation test which involves testing the blood for alcohol,dosing the patient with sugar and testing their blood again – ifalcohol shows up in their blood it is assumed it has occurredfrom fermentation from the yeast in their gut.It is also difficult to diagnose Candida overgrowth for a numberof reasons. It shares symptoms with other conditions such asgluten intolerance and hypothyroid – and any combination ofthese can be present simultaneously, adding to the difficulty ofdiagnosis. Another factor is that available tests are able to recognizeonly a few of the 150 known strains of Candida and the cells inthe specimen may die while waiting for analysis resulting in afalse “normal” result. Along with the test, then, other factorshave to be considered before a diagnosis can be made. The doctormust consider if the patient has a history of factors that areknown to result in Candida infections and establish that thereare symptoms present associated with it. Additionally, theknowledgeable physician will experiment with dietary andantifungal therapy to see if the there are reactions consistentwith Candida overgrowth.
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