Thursday, June 15, 2017

Candida! Do you or a loved one experience these symptoms?

Candida! Do you or a loved one experience these symptoms?

Candida!

To some, this word has no meaning.  To others it's just another "disease."  I first heard about candida just after graduating from college.  I had all of the symptoms they listed at that time.  There are other symptoms, (most of which are themselves considered "diseases"), but the most common are:

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Brain fog
  • Digestive issues
  • Recurring yeast infections
  • Oral thrush
  • Sinus infections
  • Food allergies/intolerances
  • Fungal infections on the skin and nails
  • A weak immune system
  • Joint pain
  • Low mood*
This is another list:
I really didn't know what to do about the condition, and a friend of mine was seeing a doctor who attempted to treat her condition.  She ended up being paralyzed from the treatments!!  She still is wheel chair bound some 30 years later.

Initially, I didn't do anything about the condition.  Later, when reading Dr. Atkin's New Diet Revolution, I learned more.  I felt it could be controlled with diet.  I also started self-treating with oil of oregano, as  he described in the book, and probably did that for 3-4 years around 2001.  Half a dozen years ago, I had some allergy testing and stool samples taken.  At that time, they found severe staph and strep infections.  There was also a candida infection.  I spent a year on specialized antibiotics attempting to clear these out.

In hind sight, probably all these things just made the candida organisms stronger!  I've recently begun taking a different type of probiotic -- one that actually has the enzymes to be able to break apart the tough outer shell of the candida organism.  I have heard it is like the shell of a cockroach.  No wonder I wasn't successful at just dealing with it by diet and essential oils!  Any idea how difficult it is to kill and get rid of cockroaches??  I located this description of chitinase -- the shell of the candida organism, on Wikipedia.  Basically it describes it as a pathogenic substance.  This was what I felt most significant, "Like cellulose, chitin is an abundant biopolymer that is relatively resistant to degradation." It can't be broken down easily -- meaning diet alone won't work!

Plexus ProBio 5

Since I published my most recent article, I've had a few folks tell me that they are controlling their candida with diet.  I have not found this to be entirely successful.  This is now my 3rd candida treatment.  (I had one before the special antibiotic.)  I've never previously been rid of the condition based on the fact that my food and chemical sensitivities continued to worsen.  If the candida was "under control" my allergies would be getting better.  They have only worsened until just recently. (See previous article.)

I would caution anyone against self-treatment as I have done it. I am currently being guided by others with experience.  I've become an "ambassador" with Plexus, which was founded by a team of physicians, and the group I'm in has several nurses and other health professionals as a part of it.  I'm definitely not doing this on my own!

Please, if you feel that you might have a candida-related condition, contact me.  I would love to help you work through it to health!  My email is sharlong@gmail.com.

 (I am not  recommending these sites for anything but information.)
*Reference:  https://www.thecandidadiet.com/candida-symptoms/ 
**Reference:  https://www.candidasupport.org/resources/candida-related-diseases/

Simultaneously published at http://icrecipesandtips.blogspot.com/2017/06/candida-do-you-or-loved-one-experience.html

3 comments:

  1. DO I REALLY NEED PROBIOTICS???
    Score yourself on the following questionnaire to see! So many issues are related to Candida overgrowth and gut imbalance. This is a key to helping balance good bacteria in your gut. 🤗🤗🤗
    SECTION 1: Health History
    Questions:
    25 pts - Have you taken tetracycline or other antibiotics for acne for one month or more?
    20 pts- Have you taken broad-spectrum antibiotics for any infection for two months or longer, or shorter courses in a one-year period?
    25 pts- Have you ever been bothered by persistent prostate issues, vaginal issues or other problems affecting your reproductive organs?
    3 pts- Have you been pregnant one time only?
    5 pts- Have you been pregnant two or more times?
    15 pts- Have you taken birth control pills two or more years?
    8 pts- Have you taken birth control pills less than two years?
    6 pts- Have you taken prednisone or other cortisone-type drug for less than two weeks?
    15pts- Have you taken prednisone or other cortisone-type drug for more than two weeks?
    5 pts- Does exposure to fragrances, mall odors or chemicals provoke mild allergic symptoms?
    20pts- Does exposure to fragrances, mall odors or chemicals provoke moderate to severe allergic symptoms?
    20 pts- Are these symptoms worse on damp, muggy days or in moldy places?
    10 pts- Have you had mild to moderate athlete’s foot, jock itch, ring worm, or chronic fungus infection of skin or nails?
    10 pts- Do you crave sugar?
    10 pts- Do you crave bread?
    10 pts- Do you crave alcoholic beverages?
    10 pts- Does tobacco smoke bother you?
    Total your points for Section 1:
    : _____________________
    SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS (Part 1)
    Rate the following symptoms by writing the appropriate score next to each symptom you have experienced.
    3 points - Occasional or mild
    6 points - Frequent and/or moderately severe
    9 points - Severe and/or disabling
    _____ Fatigue or feeling drained
    _____ Poor memory; feeling spacey or unreal
    _____ Depression
    _____ Numbness, burning or tingling
    _____ Muscle aches, weakness or paralysis
    _____ Pain and/or swelling joints
    _____ Abdominal pain
    _____ Bloating, constipation or diarrhea
    _____ Persistent vaginal burning/itching
    _____ Troublesome vaginal discharge
    _____ prostrate issues
    _____ Impotence or loss of sexual desire
    _____ menstrual irregularities
    _____ Spots in front of the eyes; erratic vision
    Total your points for
    Section 2
    : _____________________
    SECTION 3:
    SYMPTOMS (Part 2)
    Rate the following symptoms by writing the appropriate
    score next to each symptom you have experienced.
    _____ Frequent drowsiness
    _____ Frequent irritability and/or jitteriness
    _____ Frequent lack of coordination
    _____ Frequent inability to concentrate
    _____ Frequent mood swings (ups & downs)
    _____ Frequent headaches
    _____ Frequent dizziness/loss of balance
    _____ Feeling of head swelling & tingling
    _____
    Frequent itching anywhere on body
    _____ Frequent or persistent rashes
    _____ Frequent heartburn and/or indigestion
    _____ Belching, burping & intestinal gas
    _____ Mucus in stools
    _____ Hemorrhoids
    _____ Frequent dry mouth
    _____ Rash or blisters in/around mouth
    _____ Bad breath
    _____ Joint swelling or arthritis
    _____ Nasal congestion, itching or discharge
    _____ Postnasal drip
    _____ Frequent sore or dry throat
    _____ Frequent unexplained cough
    _____ Pain or tightness in chest
    _____ Wheezing or shortness of breath
    _____ Urinary urgency or frequency
    _____ Burning on urination
    _____ Noticeably failing vision
    _____ Recurrent infections or fluid in ears
    _____ Ear pain or deafness
    Total your points for
    Section 3
    : _____________________
    ADD YOUR SCORES FOR ALL 3 SECTIONS: __________ + __________ + __________ = __________
    Your total score can help you determine if your health concerns are yeast related.
    SCORE:
    Women above 180 & Men above 140: almost certainly yeast related.
    Women 121 to 180 & Men 91 to 140: probably yeast related.
    Women: 60 to 120 & Men 40 to 90: possibly yeast related.
    Below 60 for women & 40 for men: probably not yeast related

    Quiz copied by permission.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Another useful link: http://candidaspecialists.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/The-Candida-Die-Off-Handbook-1.51.pdf

    ReplyDelete
  3. A more comprehensive list of die off symptoms:
    depression and/or anxiety or other psychological symptoms
    flu-like symptoms sometimes with fever
    joint and muscle pain
    dizzy-headed
    fast heartbeat
    fuzzy headed
    mild to severe headaches
    anger
    flatulence
    gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation
    skin rash
    swollen glands or lymph nodes
    mouth thrush and dry mouth
    sweating
    fatigue or chronic fatigue
    inflammation
    constant feeling of being weak and tired
    loss of sleep
    nausea
    upset stomach
    itchy or sore throat
    From:
    http://blog.probacto.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-herxheimer-candida-die-off/

    ReplyDelete