All About Candida
Candida
Albicans has become a household word for many health-conscious Americans. Candida is a yeast that lives in the human digestive system. Candida is kept at low levels by the friendly bacteria that also reside in the digestive tract. The friendly bacteria feed on the Candida, and thus a balance in the body is maintained. However, antibiotics, birth control pills, cortisone and chemotherapy can kill this friendly bacteria.
Once this friendly bacteria has been destroyed, the yeast begins to overgrow and take over the digestive system. Left untreated, it becomes a fungus and grows into a plant-like structure complete with roots. These roots can break through the intestinal walls, allowing the yeast to travel to other areas of the body such as the sinuses, throat, reproductive organs, the lungs and skin - just to name a few.
Candida is capable of producing over 100 symptoms. This makes it extremely frustrating for anyone with this condition to find out exactly what is wrong with them. Billions are spent each year on antibiotics, creams, nasal sprays, unnecessary hospital visits, operations, antidepressants, etc. due to misdiagnosis of this disease.
Look over the list of all the possible symptoms Candida can cause, and you will see why symptoms alone can mislead a doctor into treating a “major symptom” and miss the true culprit.
POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS OF CANDIDA
Allergies and allergy symptoms, chemical sensitivities
Anxiety, Hyperactivity, Attention Deficit Disorder
Avoiding food helps to alleviate symptoms
Chronic inflammation and irritation of the eye and conjunctivae
Diarrhea, chronic gas, and abdominal cramps alleviated by bowel movements, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Extreme lethargy
Eye fatigue
Facial rash
Frequent urination
Frequent yeast infections in women
High sugar or mold foods drastically increase symptoms
Hives
Inflammation of the hair follicles (candidiasis folliculitis) of various parts of the body (feet, legs, arms)
Lactose intolerance
Muscle weakness and bone pain
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Panic attacks
Psoriasis/seborrheic dermatitis/dandruff, dry, itchy skin
Rectal itching
Sinus problems
Swollen lips/face
Symptoms worse after waking
White tongue and a white coating
As you can see, the symptoms are numerous and varied. Many times people give up on ever finding out what was wrong with them because some of these symptoms seem so unrelated.
If you think you have Candida it is wise to come and get checked out. Dr. Sheppard carries a variety of supplements used to treat candida and fungus overgrowth. Her treatments, combined with the anti-candida diet, completely eliminate candida from the intestinal tract. Symptoms begin to disappear almost immediately and by the completion of Dr. Sheppard's protocol many patients have achieved better health than they have experienced in years.