Candida Albicans

Candida albicans is a yeast (unicellular fungus), normally present on the human skin and mucosa of the gut, respiratory system and genitals; its amount is controlled by immune system and normal bacterial flora. Under certain circumstances, candida may overgrow, mainly in the vagina, mouth, esophagus, sinuses and rarely colon.

WARNING: Candida is rare in otherwise healthy people. Do not jump easily into a self-diagnosis of intestinal candida, just on the basis of some symptoms mentioned in this article. The only firm proof of intestinal candida is colonoscopy with a biopsy of colonic wall. Next: intestinal candida is NOT already a systemic candida.

What Causes Intestinal Candida Overgrowth?

Triggers of candida overgrowth:

1. During a long term antibiotic treatment many normal bacteria, attached to colonic wall are killed, thus releasing the space for yeasts (1).
2. Lowered immunity due to steroids, birth control pills, antacids, anti-ulcer drugs, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immuno-suppressant drugs, AIDS, malignancy, diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, Addison’s disease, malnutrition, alcoholism, street drugs, or chronic stress, enables uncontrolled candida growth.
3. Sugars and other carbohydrates are food for yeasts and may quickly and markedly boost their growth.
4. Gastric hypo-acidity due to gastric disease, antacids, or anti-ulcer drugs, may allow candida to spread from the mouth into intestine (1).
5. Mouldy environment, like basement appartments in dump builduings, or wet cool climate may enhance yeast infections.

Candida Symptoms

Main symptoms of intestinal candida overgrowth are diarrhea (or constipation), pale or mucous stools, bloating, itchy anus, diaper rash in kids, oral thrush (greasy white patches on the tongue or mouth mucosa, Image 1), and craving for sugar. If candida enters the blood, e.g. in persons with lowered immunity, it causes systemic infection, present with vaginal discharge, burning at urinating, prominent fatigue, irritability, and it may be deadly. Symptoms improve after sugar-free diet and may dramatically worsen after the sugar-rich meal, what can be an useful diagnostic sign.