Symptoms of Candida

Common symptoms of Candida

1: The damage to the intestinal wall allows undesirable toxins to permeate into the bloodstream. This condition called ‘leaky gut syndrome’ often leads to:

• food allergies and intolerance's
• migraines
• foggy brain
• muscle aches

2: Once through to the rest of the body, candida has the ability to disrupt the endocrine system causing symptoms such as:

• thrush
• cystitis
• PMS
• menstrual irregularities
• joint pains
• asthma
• hayfever
• sinusitis
• fungal infections of the nails/skin e.g. athlete’s foot
• weight gain or weight loss
• ear infections
• chronic tiredness
• allergies
• sensitivity to perfume, tobacco smoke and petrol

3: Symptoms in the intestines include:

• bloatedness
• Flatulence
• diarrhoea and constipation
• itchy anus
  

In addition, candida involvement has been implicated in some cases of other illnesses e.g. ME/CFS, Endometriosis.

Contributory factors

Candida can be the consequence of antibiotics usage. As well as the following:

• use of the contraceptive pill or HRT
• use of natural progesterone cream
• use of other steroids (hydrocortisone, prednisolone etc.)
• use of immuno-suppressive drugs
• repeated use of broad-spectrum antibiotics e.g. for acne
• dental mercury amalgam poisoning
• other heavy metal poisoning e.g. lead, cadmium
• chemical poisoning from the home, garden, workplace etc.
• hormonal changes e.g. puberty, pregnancy, menopause
• stress

Candida - 2010

It would appear that this illness is very common and goes undiagnosed on many occasions. I searched the net and read a few books and felt sure i had Candida. There is a simple test to confirm candida www.ninazu.com/tests1.html
I tried the test and yes i definitely had Candida. After going through lots of web sites i felt frustrated with all the different advice out there for Candida, a few things did stick out !

1) Diet ~ ie No diary, No yeast, No added citric acid, No processed food, No sugar.
2) Use a good multivitamin and liver cleanse,Garlic to help keep body tip top.
3) Use Anti fungal treatments to kill candida.
4) Replace good bacteria in gut.

There is so much information about anti candida diets that i could not find one site or book that confirmed the same products you should be eating. I spoke to several good friends of mine and i decided to follow:- Erica whites beat candida cook book www.nutritionhelp.com/books05.php.

Light Bulb Moment - 2010

After being on all the pain killers for many months it would appear that I came away with little side effects. However this was not the case, i started to developed dizzy spells and also thrush. I used canestan to clear the thrush and it seem to work for a little while. Over the next couple of weeks I set about researching thrush and suddenly i felt a light had been swithced on...I had diagnosed myself with Candida. I could not believe it, i felt a sense of relief that after some six years and having many debilitating illnesses that i had finally found the reason why...eureka!!

Physiotherapy

I managed to get an appointment for physio within a week of seeing the consultant. I was seen by a lady called Francis and she took a full medical history from me and then set about trying to see if and where the nerve was trapped. I had to do a movement where i would stand straight and have both of my arms stretched out at shoulder length then i had to raise my arms. My goodness that hurt and my left arm seemed to freeze and i could not carry on with any other exercises.
Since then i have been getting real sharp pain that last about 5mins when the left arm is raised in a certain way and im still cant undo my bra. Next physio is Tues 6th of April.