A Quick Guide to Candida Albicans Symptoms
Although it can naturally be found on every human, most people do not experience problems with the yeast candida albicans. Symptoms to alert that the yeast growth has run amok may vary from one individual to another, with none of them being more.
Yeast has some very valuable properties when maintained in a specific balance. It identifies and eliminates certain harmful bacteria that may invade the body. While helpful in our system when working in concordance with necessary beneficial bacteria, from time to time the delicate balance normally managed goes awry, with the result being an overgrowth of the Candida albicans yeast. When this happens, an infection will occur that can create devastating issues.
Over the years, more and more medical as well as psychological conditions caused by this yeast have been emerging. This is due in large part to the evolving eating habits of our society. Fifty years ago, there were few processed foods in the markets; families relied on fresh grown seasonal vegetables and freshly cut meats for their meals. Desserts were mainly delicacies that were made from scratch using basic ingredients. In today’s society, however, the market shelves are crowded with canned, boxed and frozen foods to supply full meals for families that are now too busy to cook from scratch at home. More often than not, sugars and sodium along with numerous unpronounceable ingredients are added to these food selections to make them more palatable. Meals now consist of a larger amount of sugars, starches and simple carbohydrates; the very building blocks that provide the perfect breeding ground to increase the growth of Candida albicans.
Known by a variety of different names, this yeast is known to populate certain areas of the body. A virtual chameleon, Candida is able to change its form so that it can find its way into the blood stream, which acts as a fast moving train transporting the yeast to anywhere in the body. It particularly likes warm and moist environments, such as can be found in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, the vagina and even the feet among others. Depending on the area of the body chosen as a residence by Candida albicans, symptoms that may be experienced could be yeast infections, thrush, athlete’s foot, depression, fatigue, rashes, unpleasant discharge and more.
Let unchecked, the yeast can do significant damage. One of the normal purposes of Candida is aiding in the decomposition of a dead body; consider how a high population of the yeast will perform its damaging effects when the individual is still living. It causes the production of numerous toxins that can be likened to formaldehyde and ethanol, and will disrupt the normal operation of most of the body’s organs and systems.
As alarming as this information may sound, the invasion of Candida is not inevitable and can be prevented from creating these issues. Diet is not the only cause for the increased growth; medications such as antibiotics are equally as responsible. When prescription antibiotics are taken, they effectively kill bacteria; both good and bad. When the vital population of good bacteria in the system are eradicated, there is no check and balance system in place to hold back the growth of Candida. Making lifestyle changes that include the extreme limitation of refined sugars, starches and simple carbs in the diet as well as limiting the use of antibiotics will go a long way to keeping the growth of the yeast at bay.
When a positive diagnosis is made that identifies an overgrowth of Candida, it will likely be treated using antifungal medications. Making the lifestyle changes as well will provide the best protection and stave off the Candida albicans symptoms that can be so damaging.