Natural Health Alternatives Blog

What is Candida?

Candida or candidiasis is one of the many fungus that live inside the human body. It is quite normal to have minute amounts of yeast that live inside your mouth, skin or belly without causing any harmful effects or diseases. However, when an ideal environment is given to this yeast, they can grow and multiply and can only be controlled through medical intervention. They can also get out of control if they get deep within the human body such as under the skin or into the bloodstream, which may give them easy access to the organs such as kidneys, heart or brain.

Types of Candida

The infection caused by yeast growth is called candidiasis and there are many types of this condition, namely:

Vaginal Candidiasis

lso known as the vaginal yeast infection. It is a form of infection that effects three out of four women at some point in their lives. This infection is caused by exponential growth of yeast in the vaginal region, which can be caused by diabetes, pregnancy, lubricants, spermicides, a weakened immune system or some medications.

Symptoms

Here are some symptoms of vaginal yeast infection, also known as genital candidiasis:

•    Itchiness in the vagina

•    Pain or burning sensation when peeing

•    Cottage cheese type thick discharge

•    Painful sex

•    Redness or swelling in the  vagina or valve region

While this mostly affects women, it can be contracted by men too during sex or otherwise and can have symptoms such as a rash on the penis.

Treatment

The treatment for genital candidiasis include over the counter antifungal creams and pills like fluconazole.

Invasive Candidiasis

Invasive candidiasis can happen when the harmful bacteria enters the blood stream, and effects vital organs like the brain, heart, kidneys, bones, eyes and blood usually through a medical equipment or device. This can be the most life-threatening conditions out of all types of candidiasis. This usually happens to people who have had treatments at a hospital or have lived in a health care facility such as a nursing home. People with weakened immune system, diabetes, kidney failure or being on constant medications pose a greater risk of contracting invasive candidiasis.

Symptoms

Most common signs that you have invasive candidiasis is having fever and chills.

Treatment

Treatment options can vary from intravenous or oral dose of antifungal medication. However, if you are going to have a surgery, you may have to undergo a series of antifungal medications before having the procedure.

Oropharyngeal Candidiasis or Thrush

This is a type of candidiasis developed in the throat or mouth. This is common in new-borns or elderly. People with weakened immune systems are prone to get it more. Common causes for thrush contraction are having diabetes, wearing dentures or having poor oral hygiene, taking medications like corticosteroids or being treated for cancer.

Symptoms

Some signs for thrush are:

•    Sore mouth

•    Redness or swelling in mouth and throat

•    White/yellow patches on the lips, gums, tongue, inner cheeks or roof of mouth

•    Cracks at the corner of the mouth

•    If the infection spreads to the throat, then pain while swallowing

Treatment

Thrush is treated usually with anti-fungal medications such as clotrimazole, nystatin or fluconazole.