Are you struggling with candida (yeast infection)? If you are, you know what I’m talking about! Candida overgrowth can cause a variety of annoying symptoms as well as a cascade of other problems. It can lead to something called “leaky gut”, which in turn can lead to food sensitivities, headaches, stomach discomfort, and other unexplained symptoms, making you feel generally unwell. Yes, it’s a controversial topic but it’s important to talk about, and to share information. As with anything, talk to your doctor. Regardless, if you think this describes you, read on.
What is Candida?
Candida is basically yeast that occurs naturally in our bodies, sometimes referred to as “candida albicans”. We’re supposed to have a balance of this yeast with “good” bacteria which helps us digest food, protects our intestines, and benefits our immune system. All of us have candida in our bodies, it’s normal.
What is a yeast infection?
A yeast infection is when this natural candida grows too much, overpowering other useful organisms in our intestines, and throws our system out of balance. With a good diet and time, our bodies come back into balance, but sometimes it needs a little help. Yeast overgrowth can cause a variety of symptoms which can be difficult to diagnose, and can lead to other health problems.
What are the symptoms of a Candida yeast infection?
Symptoms of candida can be hard to detect. For women, the obvious one is a vaginal yeast infection, but this is usually the tip of the iceberg: women generally don’t realize that yeast overgrowth is in other parts of the body too, but more about this later. Other signs you might have yeast overgrowth is when you have other yeast/fungal-type infections like ringworm, thrush, toenail infections, athlete’s foot, skin rash, bladder infection and sinus problems, to name a few.
What are the causes of Candida yeast infection?
Candida is usually caused by taking certain medications. Unfortunately, when we take antibiotics (especially a “broad-spectrum” antibiotic), this wipes out not only the germs the antibiotic was meant to kill, but the also the good germs that benefit us! This basically allows the yeast to take over, upsetting our delicate balance and causing what’s known as a “yeast infection”. Other medications cause candida overgrowth too, like steroids and hormones. You would think that doctors consider this, and suggest that their patients take a good “probiotic” when using these medications but generally they don’t! If you DO have a medical doctor who recommends probiotics as part of your treatment plan, you are lucky. For the rest of us... we get candida overgrowth.
What can I do if I think I have a Candida infection?
What can you do when you find out you might have a yeast infection? First, have a talk with your doctor. Mention that you have concerns about candida overgrowth and that you want support. Ask if he or she can advise you about going on oral anti-fungal medication, and/or a yeast-free diet, until your symptoms clear up. Many medical doctors are not trained in nutrition, so they generally won’t know about how to advise you about the dietary part: they could refer you to a Registered Dietitian, but it’s not likely unless you ask, and even more likely that your insurance won’t cover it. However, it doesn’t hurt to try. You can also call your insurance company and request a referral to a “holistic” doctor who is on their preferred provider list. Chances are that this type of doctor will be more educated in diet, and might also take the candida issue more seriously than a conventional doctor. If you have questions and don’t feel like you’re getting the support, guidance or answers you need, contact me and I can help put you in the right direction.
Another option is seeing a naturopathic doctor (ND). If you’re in one of the 16 states that license them as primary care doctors, you may be in luck if you find one that can bill insurance. If not, you can pay out of pocket and ask your doctor for a “superbill” which you submit to your insurance. Even if insurance won’t pay, it might be worth the extra money. Other people might opt for the “alternative” route, using herbs, probiotics and diet (see the treatment options section below)
Some words about vaginal yeast infections (and skin infections)
Did someone tell you to use those over-the-counter vaginal suppositories? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you have yeast overgrowth, a vaginal yeast infection is just the tip of the iceberg, and candida can lead to other health challenges. Sure, suppositories can alleviate your symptoms for awhile (choose at least a 3-day regimen, or consider a natural product like
Vitanica Yeast Arrest or
Tea Tree Therapy with homeopathic borax), but it’s a good idea to treat your whole body, systemically. Vaginal infections can be caused by something other than yeast so it’s a good idea to get yourself checked out.
Also, if you’re using a topical cream to treat a yeast/fungal infection, this is a similar “band-aid” approach as the suppositories. Both can give you much-needed relief, but the more important thing is to fix the root cause. The only reason this type of treatment would fix the problem is if you got the yeast infection from an outside source (from a sexual partner for example).
What makes candida worse?
Most people might get over simple yeast overgrowth quickly, but the problem is when we do things that make the candida worse (this is pretty easy to do in the U.S., where sugary foods and yeast/flour products are everywhere, and easy to come by). The main thing that makes candida worse is sugar, which I’ll discuss in the next section with other basic diet suggestions.
What are some candida remedies? How is Candida treated?
If candida overgrowth has gone on awhile and caused other problems, it will take determination and patience, but there’s hope: you CAN feel better and there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
First, if the candida is causing a lot of problems, your doctor might suggest prescription medication: there are many different ones used to treat fungal infections. Since yeast infection can sometimes lead to leaky gut syndrome and food sensitivities, some people become so sensitive to that they can’t tolerate the coating on the pills, so other forms are available: ask your doctor and check with a special compounding pharmacy.
Two common medications that can be prescribed are Nystatin and Diflucan. If you see a naturopathic doctor or do some research on your own and choose natural remedies, they might suggest things like coconut oil, oregano, thyme, and garlic. Whether you go the conventional or naturopathic route, probiotics are great! (Make sure to get special instructions for timing, if you are taking anti-biotics). Probiotics are very helpful to encourage normal bacteria in the intestines (gut), and can be found in the refrigerated section at your local health food store. It’s best to buy a high-quality probiotic that survives the stomach acid and has compatible strains. If you choose one that's
room-temperature stable, it's more convenient to take it away from home or when traveling. There are also
specific probiotics for vaginal and/or bladder irritation/infection.
A special candida diet is also important. You will need to follow this diet for awhile, cutting out all foods from your diet that cause an overgrowth of candida. The main thing to keep in mind is sugar. Have you ever baked bread, and noticed what happens when the yeast is mixed with sugar? It multiplies! Take home lesson? Yeast feeds on sugar. So just like it does when making bread, yeast will feed on any sugar you send it’s way, so watch out for sugary foods. Reduce or eliminate them COMPLETELY from your diet for awhile, at least until you get the yeast under control.
Also, you might want to cut out alcohol, breads, and fruit for awhile too. Yes, I know it’s a hassle. This isn’t going to be easy, but trust me: if you’re dealing with a candida problem you will feel SO much better after getting the yeast under control, and more than likely you’ll be able to add those foods back gradually, when you’re ready. Make sure to get advice about following an anti-candida diet: it’s an important part of following a treatment plan.
Most vegetables are great to eat anytime, but especially when you need good healthy probiotics because they break down to create this good bacteria (flora) in your intestines...so make sure you’re eating plenty of fiber-rich veggies! When you get back on a regular healthy eating plan, make sure to include these as well as naturally fermented foods, and eat them often!
A final note about treatment: when you first start with anti-candida treatment, you might feel worse. This is likely because the yeast release toxins when they die, causing a reaction that some people refer to as “die-off”. You might feel bad for a few days: keep in touch with your doctor about your symptoms, making sure it’s not a reaction to the medications, and to discuss slowing down your treatment if necessary. You can also talk about this ahead of time, so you know how to modify your treatment plan in case you feel too sick and need to take things slower. Another thing to remember during this time is to make sure you drink plenty of water.
Where can I learn more about candida yeast infection?
To find more information about candida, talk to your doctor, Registered Dietitian, or nutritionist who specializes in candida diets (certifications for nutritionists are different in every state, so be sure to ask about their education and background). You can also follow anti-candida programs from books and continue your research online from reputable websites: see our "
Resources" page for links to products and books which might be helpful.
Remember as always: you and your doctor are your best guides. For healthy diet support during a candida diet or cleanse, or for general suggestions on how to improve your diet overall, or how to shop for and cook healthy foods, call or email me for an appointment (Skype sessions are available to those outside the San Diego area). Get started in the right direction: I’m here to help.
Bonnie@AmaraWellnessCenter.com
