Candida and Yeast Infections- Candida Yeast Characteristics

There are two things that can make the overgrowth of Candida yeast so challenging. First, this type of infection can be both systemic and digestive. Second, doctors will often treat only the associated symptoms and not the underlying cause. When Candida yeast begins to grow out of control, it will quickly spread while impacting the body's immune system. This means as the infection grows the body begins to lose its ability to fight the infection, creating a double-edged sword.

Many times, a person will visit one doctor after another, complaining of symptoms that include fatigue, headaches, muscle and joint pain, mood swings, and weight gain, only to be treated for the wrong thing. Considering the diagnosis for Candida yeast is so simple, a blood test or stool sample along with medical history, this is a serious injustice. Even worse, if the overproduction of Candida yeast is not corrected, it can cause serious organ damage and in severe cases, death.

The bottom line is that an overgrowth of Candida yeast will destroy your health and possibly life. However, when diagnosed and treated, you can have a full recovery, leading to a long, healthy life. The interesting thing about Candida yeast is that it grows naturally in the body and is considered good bacteria. However, due to various contributors, once the yeast begins to grow too fast and too much, it actually changes itself from bacteria to a type of fungus.

When maintained at proper levels, Candida yeast works within the digestive tract in helping a person absorb nutrients. This type of bacteria also grows in a woman's vagina, where it can be beneficial, as long as the levels are low. The problem starts when a woman starts taking birth control pills or people take antibiotics long-term. Other factors that can cause problems include having chemotherapy or taking cortisone. As these substances are put in the body, they begin to kill good bacteria. As a result, Candida yeast goes crazy, literally overpowering the digestive system.

Again, if Candida yeast is treated right away, it is still bacteria but if left untreated, it transforms into a fungus, similar to a plant with actual roots. Over time, these roots begin pushing through the mucosal lining of the intestine. When this occurs, the Candida yeast will spread throughout the body, reaching the throat, skin, lungs, sinuses, reproductive system, kidneys, lungs, nervous system, and brain.

With the spread of Candida yeast, more and more symptoms begin to appear, making it even more difficult to diagnosis. While there are times with antibiotics, cortisone, and even birth control pills are necessary, taking in high doses or over long periods is straight out dangerous. Therefore, if you are ever prescribed any of these drugs, talk to your doctor about alternatives so you can avoid dealing with an overgrowth of Candida yeast.

Most medical professionals feel strongly that testing is the key to bringing the problem of Candida yeast overgrowth under control. Again, the symptoms are often treated without proper testing being done. This means although some symptoms may subside or even go away for some time, the yeast is still growing and wrecking havoc on the body. On the other hand, if more aggressive testing were done, the overproduction of Candida yeast would be identified early, saving the patient tons of health problems and mental frustration.

Considered an aggressive type of parasite, Candida yeast has a unique ability of attaching itself to the intestinal wall where it becomes a permanent part of the body. This problem has become so serious that experts now estimate some 30 million Americans live with the effects of Candida yeast overgrowth. Even more frustrating is that if only symptoms are treated, meaning the problem is not completely corrected; the yeast overgrowth problem will return 95% of the time.

The bottom line is that Candida yeast literally poisons the body's tissues by sending out more than 75 known toxins. As the tissue becomes contaminated, the body's immune system starts to break down, followed by other organ shutdown. The roots that grow from the fungus will break through the intestinal wall, as mentioned. When this occurs, the toxins begin to leak in what is known as Leaky Gut Syndrome. Remember, the mucosal lining is known as the first line of defense or a protective barrier between the intestines and bloodstream.

That means if the barrier is altered, toxins and other foreign waste products start to pollute the body. In addition to the toxins flowing freely in the body, the other challenge is that the body is no longer able to absorb nutrients. Interestingly, many people with high levels of Candida yeast will struggle with excessive weight gain but they are also not getting proper nutrition, they are actually living with malnutrition. As the intestinal wall is compromised, the digestive system is mechanically and chemically altered.

While having an overgrowth of Candida yeast is devastating, there are ways of bringing the problem under control. Talk to your doctor to see what methods he or she would recommend. More than likely, you would be placed on a special diet, given a list of herbs and supplements to take, and go through some type of colon cleansing process. As soon as the Candida yeast is back to normal levels, you will feel so much better.