Fungal Problems - Candida

In modern Medicine, yeasts are often viewed as harmless micro-organisms causing only trivial problems such as genital thrush, fungal nails and some irritating skin rashes. Fungal infections are well documented complications of various common medicines including steroids, antibiotics and female hormones. These respond well to brief courses of anti-fungal ointments, pessaries or tablets.

Since the early fifties, doctors made the observation that some patients' otherwise unexplained symptoms would clear when they were prescribed antifungal medications. In medical textbooks these symptoms fit the description of intestinal candidiasis, yet laboratory tests often fail to confirm such infection.

Today there are specific tests to confirm if fungi, candida or others, are active and potentially harmful. Antifungals are usually effective along with a diet devoid of foods known to act as yeast promoters.

An additional issue involving Candida and other fungi such as the ones causing dandruff, athlete's foot and fungal nails, is a type of delayed immune reactivity, actually mimicking immediate allergy, presenting itself as urticaria or angio-oedema. The diagnosis of this phenomenon is possible with blood tests measuring levels of some antibodies. The treatment is usually effective.

Problems possibly associated with fungal activity:

• Cardiovascular: Palpitations, hypertension.
• Digestive: Indigestion, heartburn, gatritis, oesophagitis, flatulence, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea, anal irritation.
• Ear/Nose/Throat: Catarrh, giddiness, dizziness, sore throat, ear irritation or discharge.
• Eyes: Visual problems, more common in diabetics.
• Gynaecological: Vaginal thrush, pelvic inflammation, polycystic ovaries, abnormal cervical smears, endometriosis, sub-fertility, heavy or irregular periods, premenstrual syndrome.
• Metabolic: Craving for sweets, weight problems.
• Muscle/joints: Joint aches and pains, muscle tenderness, gout, recurrent back pains, cramps.
• Neurological: Migraine, headaches, black-outs.
• Psychological: Poor memory and concentration, chronic fatigue, irritability, anxiety, depression, PMT.
• Skin: Skin rashes, eczema, acne, psoriasis, fungal nails, seborrhoic dermatitis of the scalp.
• Urinary Tract: Non-bacterial cystitis, frequency, urgency.

The symptoms caused by active yeasts are similar to those caused by delayed food allergy or intolerance and some other factors. Candida should not be blamed for everything!