INTRODUCTION: Candida Albicans is a naturally occurring yeast that is found in all of our bodies and it is supposed to be there in balance with many other micro-organisms. Candida is responsible for superficial infections such as oropharyngeal candidiasis (Thrush) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (AKA Vaginal Candidiasis). Infections of the latter category are also referred to as candidemia and are often confined to persons with very compromised immune systems, such as cancer, transplant, and AIDS patients, whereas superficial infections of skin and mucosal membranes, producing local inflammation and discomfort, is common in many populations throughout the world.

A Candida Infection is often brought on by various components of our modern lifestyle such as the foods we consume, toxins in the environment, antibiotic use, etc. and after you have an overgrowth it can be very difficult to get it under control.

INFECTIONS: The introduction of the mass use of antibiotics has paralleled the growth in yeast infections. Initially nearly all yeast infections were preceded by a prescription for antibiotics and during the 1950's an infection usually followed a few weeks after treatment. By the 1970s both women and men start to have the condition even when their Doctors did not prescribe antibiotics.

The past decade has seen the growth of opportunistic infections due to different Candida species primarily because of the worldwide increase in the number of patients with compromised immune systems, who are highly susceptible to opportunistic infections. These infections can be cured with antifungal medications, but they do represent a concern in AIDS patients.

OVERGROWTH: People have been on this Earth a long time but Candida Overgrowth is a recent problem. Antibiotic and steroid use are the most common reason for yeast overgrowth. Sugars assist and aid the overgrowth of yeast, possibly explaining the increased prevalence of yeast infections in patients with diabetes mellitus. Some Doctors will tell you there is nothing wrong with you because they have no training specific to fungal infections, so without specific training, most do not even believe in Candida yeast overgrowth.

Some alternative practitioners believe that overgrowth in the intestines is responsible for a yeast syndrome that results in symptoms such as fatigue, headache, mood swings, sinus congestion, depression, poor memory and concentration, and cravings for sweets.

SYMPTOMS: Symptoms often include severe itching, burning, and soreness, irritation of the vagina and/or vulva, and a whitish or whitish-gray discharge, frequently with a curd-like appearance. Alternative medicine practitioners often use the term Candida to refer to a complex and broad spectrum of signs, most of which center around gastrointestinal distress, rashes, sore gums and other miscellaneous symptoms.

A lot of women mistake the symptoms of the more common Bacterial Vaginosis for a yeast infection. In men, signs include red patchy sores near the head of the penis or on the foreskin, severe itching and/or a burning feeling. However, having no signs at all is very common and usually, a more severe form of the symptoms emerges later.

Signs are vast and all encompassing and may even incapacitate the individual. They can vary from one person to another and often move back and forth between systems within the patient. One day you may experience symptoms in the musculoskeletal system and the next day it could be the digestive system etc. Most people with yeast overgrowth are also suffering because of nutritional deficiencies and correcting your deficiencies can aid you in your battle with candida symptoms.

TREATMENTS: Local treatments may include vaginal suppositories or medicated douches. Treating it with antibiotics can worsen the condition by eliminating the yeast's natural competitors. If you have to take an antibiotic for some reason, you should also take an acidophilus supplement during the course of the treatment. There are a variety of natural health products that are helpful in the treatment of Candida infections such as caprylic acid, garlic, peppermint, oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract, colloidal silver as well as a few prescription medicines you can get from your physician. One very popular treatment product is called Threelac.

During any treatment approach most people experience a temporary worsening of the infection. Probiotics are a popular treatment for chronic candida, probably because the condition is thought to happen (in some cases) because of the reduction in gastrointestinal flora following treatment with antibiotics.

CONCLUSION: Candida relies on a living host for survival and is usually present in most people, but uncontained multiplication resulting in disease symptoms normally is kept in check by other naturally occurring micro-organisms. It has risen to nearly epidemic levels in our society and is responsible for many of the chronic illness we see so often and is also an instigating factor for alcoholism. Candida thrives in a sugary environment, so your diet should be low in carbs and contain no yeast products or sugar in any form.

Thousands of people suffer from it with out even being aware of it. Almost 15% of people with weakened immune systems develop a systemic illness caused by Candida. Since the fungus thrives in warm, moist and dark places, exposed areas with these conditions such as the mouth, skin folds, arm pits and vagina's are more vulnerable. If you suspect you have a candida infection, consult your doctor or dermatologist for an examination and advice.