Candida is a common health problem that can drain your energy and wreck havoc with your moods. Candida albicans is a yeast that normally lives in the body in the inner warm creases and crevices of the digestive tract and in the vaginal tract of women. Under stressful conditions, through the overuse of antibiotics, damage to the intestinal tract or due to immune system depression, C. albicans can overgrow. Yeast cells, particles of yeast cells, and various toxic by-products of yeast metabolism can enter the general circulation and significantly disrupt body processes.

The result is chronic candidiasis, leading to a wide range of symptoms affecting almost every system of the body - especially the gastrointestial, genitourinary, endocrine (hormonal), nervous and immune systems. Women are much more likely to experience chronic candida than men due to the effects of estrogen, birth control pills, and a higher number of prescriptions for antibiotics.

Because virtually any body system can be affected, chronic candidiasis can trigger a multitude of symptoms. Patients say that they feel "sick all over." Fatigue, allergies, immune system malfunction, depression, chemical sensitivities, and digestive disturbances are just some of the symptoms that suggest candida.

Those with chronic candidiasis are typically stuck in a vicious cycle. With regard to the immune system, a triggering event such as antibiotic use or nutrient deficiency can lead to immune suppression that allows Candida albicans to overgrow and become firmly entrenched in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

Once the organism attaches itself to the intestinal cells, it competes for nutrition with intestinal cells and ultimately the entire body ?- robbing the body of essential nutrients. In addition, Candida albicans secretes a large number of mycotoxins and antigens. Candida albicans is referred to as a "polyantigenic" organism because over 79 distinct antigens have been identified. Because of the tremendous number of antigens, an overgrowth of Candida albicans easily overwhelms the immune system.

How do you know if you have candida?

The more of the following symptoms you have the more important it is that you get a test to find out if you have candida and treat it with an integrated treatment plan.

Chronic fatigue or lethargy

Feeling of being drained

Loss of energy

General malaise

Headache

Decreased libido

Numbness, burning, or tingling

Muscle aches, weakness, or paralysis

Dizziness, loss of balance

Pain and swelling in joints

Craving for foods rich in carbohydrates or yeasts such as high sugar foods, bread and alcoholic beverages

Depression

Frequent mood swings

Inability to concentrate

Feeling spacey or unreal

Spots in front of the eyes

Poor memory

Erratic vision

Nasal congestion or discharge

Postnasal drip

Nasal itching

Sore or dry throat

Cough

Pain or tightness in chest

Wheezing or shortness of breath

If your symptoms suggest candida, follow up with a qualified health care practitioner. There are reliable tests to reveal the presence of candida.

There are many, many popular recommendations for treating candida. Over the counter quick fixes are plentiful. Following these popular recommendations could leave you with poor nutritional choices, unbalanced mood and energy, confused, and quite probably still with candida.

There really isn't any single magic bullet that can immediately eliminate chronic candidiasis and restore healthy functioning to the body. Instead, a comprehensive approach involving lifestyle, stress management, exercise, diet, nutritional supplementation, glandular therapy, personal foundations and the use of herbal medicines can be used.

Copyright (c) 2007 Mary Ann Copson