Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth & How to Get Rid of It
Candida is a fungal infection and can be very serious. It can be perplexing for many, as potential candida signs are so varied. They can include exhaustion, cravings for sweets, bad breath, white coating on the tongue, brain fog, joint pain, digestive issues and more.
Let’s dive into the different types of candida, what can cause it in the first place and then, most important, the possible natural remedies for it.
What Is Candida?
Candida can be very serious. The “superbug” candida species known as Candida auris has emerged as a dangerous health threat in several countries and many health care facilities in the U.S. This version of candida — which often spreads through candida biofilms on surfaces such as catheters and bedrails — has proven resistant to multiple drugs, resulting in serious illness.
Meanwhile, Candida albicans is the most common type of yeast infection found in the mouth, intestinal tract and vagina (vaginal/genital candidiasis), and it may affect skin and other mucous membranes. If the immune system is functioning optimally, this type of yeast infection is rarely serious.
However, if the immune system is not functioning properly, the candida infection can migrate to other areas of the body, including the blood and membranes around the heart or brain, causing serious candida symptoms. This is referred to as invasive candidiasis.
Candida is a fungus that aids with nutrient absorption and digestion when in proper levels in the body. When it overproduces, typical candida symptoms may appear. In the digestive tract, if left unchecked, it breaks down the walls of the intestinal lining and penetrates into the bloodstream. This releases byproduct toxins and other toxins from your system, causing leaky gut syndrome.
When your body’s natural pH balance is upset, the candida yeasts can grow out of control, creating a systemic problem and unpleasant candida symptoms. Good healthy bacteria and a properly functioning immune system are essential when fighting this stubborn infection.
Candida overgrowth syndrome, or COS, is the term used when candida has grown out of control in your body. Make no mistake: This is a chronic health condition. In addition to candida symptoms, individuals who have never experienced a serious yeast infection can find they have developed new sensitivities, allergies or intolerances to a variety of foods. These foods include dairy, eggs, corn and gluten.
Causes
There are many possible causes of candida, including a diet high in sugar, refined carbohydrates and alcohol that help feed candida. To add to that, here are six other potential causes below.
1. Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics
Sometimes, antibiotics are needed to fight a stubborn infection to kill the offending bacteria in your system. The problem with antibiotics and with overusing them (often creating antibiotic resistance) is that they don’t just kill the bad bacteria; they kill the good ones, too.
The good bacteria in your system are responsible for digestion and keeping candida under control. After a long course (or multiple courses over a short period), antibiotics can make your body a literal breeding ground for candida.
2. Birth Control Pills
Unlike antibiotics, birth control pills in and of themselves do not directly cause a yeast infection or candida overgrowth syndrome. However, when a woman consumes a diet high in refined sugars and has had a course of antibiotics, birth control pills can adversely affect her body, leading to a candida infection.
Some women find that birth control pills seem to instigate yeast infections — and even long after the initial infection is gone, once they start taking the birth control pills again, candida can take root.
3. Oral Corticosteroids
Individuals who treat their asthma with corticosteroid inhalants are at an increased risk of developing candida in the mouth, leading to systemic candida overgrowth. It is imperative that individuals using corticosteroid inhalers for asthma follow the directions for swishing the mouth out after each use. If oral candidiasis is detected, it can be treated with the gargling of coconut oil and a drop or two of essential clove oil.
4. Cancer Treatments
According to the Department of Clinical Research at Merck Research Laboratories, candidiasis can become invasive in cancer patients and present a serious complication. In this study, one-third of patients being treated for cancer had invasive candidiasis. Chemotherapy and radiation can both work to kill cancerous cells and tumors; however, they also kill off the healthy bacteria that naturally fight candida.
5. Diabetes
In a Type 1 or a Type 2 diabetic, sugar levels in the mouth and other mucous membranes are traditionally higher than in an individual without diabetes. Since candida is a type of yeast and sugar feeds yeast, it is understandable that those with diabetes are at a greater risk for developing candida overgrowth syndrome.
6. Weakened Immune System
Any individual with a weakened immune system is more likely to develop candida. This population includes infants, small children, the elderly, those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, and other inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
Candida Symptoms
Candida yeast overgrowth can be difficult for a physician to diagnose. Possible methods of testing include stool testing, serum testing, candida DNA test, stool PCR testing and microbial organic acids testing. This type of systemic yeast infection presents different ways in different people.
Below are nine of the candida symptoms to watch for if you are concerned you have candida or candida overgrowth syndrome.
1. Chronic Fatigue
If you have fatigue or exhaustion that you simply cannot shake, regardless of the number of hours you sleep, you may have chronic fatigue syndrome. The disease is characterized by fatigue that lasts a minimum of six months and is often accompanied by other candida symptoms, including headaches, joint pain, difficulties with memory and concentration and sore throat.
Often one of the candida symptoms is chronic fatigue. While a candida infection is not the only cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, many physicians believe it heightens the risk of CFS.
2.
Mood Disorders
Diagnosing candida can be challenging due to its symptoms overlapping with other conditions, such as mood disorders. Individuals with candida overgrowth may experience mood swings, anxiety, irritability, depression, and panic attacks.
3. Recurring Vaginal and Urinary Tract Infections
Recurring infections in the urinary tract or vagina may indicate a candida overgrowth. It's important to note that candida can be sexually transmitted, leading to infections being passed back and forth between partners. Women can reduce the risk by avoiding tight-fitting underwear, pantyhose, and hot baths during an active infection.
4. Oral Thrush
Oral thrush, a yeast infection caused by candida, can affect mucous membranes like the vagina. It is often triggered by the use of oral corticosteroids. If left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body, including the digestive tract, lungs, liver, and heart valves.
Oral candida is communicable and can be passed on to newborns during birth, children through shared toys, and adults through saliva.
5. Sinus Infections
Sinus infections are common candida symptoms, leading to persistent cough, post-nasal drip, congestion, seasonal allergies, and flu-like symptoms. It's important to consider candida as a potential cause if you experience ongoing sinus problems.
6. Intestinal Distress
Chronic intestinal distress, including flatulence, bloating, constipation, and stomach cramps, can be uncomfortable symptoms of candida overgrowth. Imbalance of healthy bacteria in the gut due to yeast overgrowth can lead to these issues.
7. Brain Fog
Brain fog, characterized by lack of focus, poor coordination, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems, is often overlooked as a symptom of candida overgrowth. It's important to address candida as a possible cause of brain fog.
8. Skin and Nail Fungal Infections
Athlete’s foot and fungal infections in toenails are common yeast infections caused by candida. Persistent infections can indicate a systemic candida infection.
9. Hormonal Imbalance
Candida overgrowth can lead to hormonal imbalance, manifesting as early menopause, PMS, low sex drive, migraines, endometriosis, water retention, mood swings, and difficulty losing weight. Inflammation caused by candida can mimic estrogen, disrupting hormonal balance.
During the "cleanse" stage, I do not recommend certain vegetables. However, the regular candida diet includes warming fall vegetables that nourish the spleen. These vegetables include sweet potatoes, yams, peas, mung beans, lentils, kidney beans, adzuki beans, carrots, beets, corn, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, acorn squash, zucchini, yellow squash, rutabaga, and pumpkin. These vegetables should be the main sources of carbohydrates to satisfy your cravings for sweets.When it comes to grains, some like quinoa, barley, teff, sorghum, and amaranth, along with a starch like corn, can help to dry out the overly damp gut. Therefore, one serving a day of these grains can work for most people with candida.
It is important to limit cold foods to once per day and avoid having a gut-friendly smoothie on the same day as a salad. Warm nourishing foods are best for healing a candida gut.
Monitor how you feel after consuming a meal with candida. Some individuals may experience stomach distress after eating starch, so it is best to avoid starchy vegetables like corn, peas, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkin, squash, zucchini, and yams. Non-starchy vegetables like lettuce, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, spinach, mushrooms, onions, peppers, and tomatoes are recommended instead.
Keep fruit intake low and avoid natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey.
Adding cultured dairy, preferably goat milk kefir, to your diet can help kill candida in your system. Probiotic foods like kimchi and sauerkraut, as well as unsweetened cranberry juice, create an acidic environment that makes it difficult for candida to thrive.
Fermented foods contain microflora that protect the intestines and improve the immune system. Consuming fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, or other fermented vegetables can help bring your body back into a healthy balance.
The candida diet provides beneficial bacteria, regulates appetite, and reduces cravings for refined carbohydrates and sugars.
In addition to dietary changes, supplements, essential oils, and coconut oil can help fight candida. Coconut oil, with its antimicrobial properties, can effectively combat candida. Milk thistle supplements can cleanse the liver from various toxins, and vitamin C can boost the immune system.
Essential oils like clove oil, oregano oil, myrrh oil, and lavender oil can help kill parasites and fungi, including candida. It is important to use these oils internally for a short period.
When experiencing candida die-off symptoms, such as impaired brain function, headache, fatigue, and more, it indicates that the cleanse and diet are working. These symptoms usually clear up within a week to 10 days, leading to increased energy and focus.
After completing the cleanse and diet, maintaining a high-protein, high-fiber vegetable diet while limiting grains, fruits, sugar, and high-starch vegetables like white potatoes is recommended. Consuming fermented vegetables and kefir can help keep candida at bay. Prevention is key to maintaining a healthy balance in the body. information in your own words.
