Candida or chronic yeast syndrome is very common in North America and all too common among those who are vertically ill. If you are horizontally ill MD’s know what to do, but if you still able to function to some degree ie you are still vertical, they often don’t know what do to. These people have had all the tests come back normal but they still feel unwell and the MD has no further suggestions except perhaps psychological counseling and treatment for depression.

Candida is widespread but is not recognized as a health problem by MD’s. Naturopathic physicians (ND’s) are the ones who see and recognize these cases and treat them with the most success. If you do find an MD who treats it, the treatment mainly consists of short prescriptions of Nystatin which we find are not that effective in the long run.

A typical patient complains of gas and bloating not related to the menstrual period, itchy skin conditions anywhere on the body including anal itching and vaginal itching and discharge. Often there is a decrease in the ability to concentrate, fatigue, waking unrested, weight gain, and increasing cravings for sweets and breads. There may also be increased allergies to perfumes and other odors and an overall sense of feeling unwell.

Candida is a form of yeast that resides on and in the body at all times. The problem is overgrowth of such yeasts in the gut and the vagina. In a healthy individual with a strong immune system it is harmless and kept in check by the good bacteria (flora) in the small and large intestines. If the gut flora is not healthy (dysbiosis) there are more unhealthy bacteria than there are healthy bacteria, yeast will proliferate in the bowel and the above symptoms begin to appear. Other organisms such as parasites also like this environment to proliferate.

What kinds of things upset the normal flora of the gut? The most common is antibiotics. Antibiotics kill healthy as well as unhealthy bacteria in the gut leaving space for the yeast to take hold. A study appearing in the Lancet a few years ago stated that in taking antibiotics more than twice in your LIFETIME will compromise your immune system. Many people by the time they are five years of age have had many more than that! Most babies who are not breast-fed drink cow’s milk which has significant antibiotic drug residues from drugs administered to the cow. But even before birth the fetus is exposed to yeast, fungus and parasites from the mother and from the birth canal during delivery. Birth control pills and diets too high in sugar and yeasted foods such as breads and alcohol are also common causes of dysbiosis.

The symptoms of candida (dysbiosis) can affect every system of the body causing gas, bloating, diarrhea, cramping, heartburn, itching anywhere, sinusitis, allergies to foods and the environment, mood swings, lack of concentration, inability to handle small amounts of alcohol, and recurrent infections including the bladder and prostate.

A naturopathic physician can diagnose Candida through a few methods: a comprehensive questionnaire, clinical evaluation and electrodermal testing including the EAV machine.

There is a three-month treatment program, which is very effective in ridding the body of yeast and establishing healthy gut flora. Removal of the cause is important or recurrence is common. To remove the cause lifestyle changes such as reducing antibiotic and birth control pill exposure and decreasing the ingestion of sugar is very important. Naturopathic physicians are experts at teaching people how to boost their immune systems to avoid antibiotic usage. There are also less invasive birth control methods such as the cervical cap, which are recommended.

To see what level of Candida you may have in your body call the office for a FREE EAV evaluation and questionnaire.

Start today to find out where your get up and go has got up and went!

Dr. Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine for 15 years and is currently practicing in Campbell River. She can be reached at (250) 286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com

Return to Home