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Overview for Dietary and Lifestyle or Treatment info
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Candida albicans, a single
cell fungus, is found in the genital and intestinal tracts. It is always
present and when in disproportionate quantities can cause clinical symptoms.
As every area of the body can react to the fungus, symptoms are multiple
and being so varied they may lead to the wrong diagnosis being reached.
The commonest sites affected will only be mentioned.
' Thrush', diaper rash and vaginitis are common manifestations of the
candidiasis.
Thrush
The mouth is infected - white sores form on the tongue, gums and inside
of the cheeks. The areas in the cheeks can be mistaken for milk deposits.
If the baby is breast fed this can lead to a "to and fro" contamination
of the mother's nipples and baby's mouth.
Diaper Rash
The same effects are noted, the situation (buttocks) only being different.
A most important manifestation is a generalised infection by candida
which can lead to "candida septicaemia". This is usually found in debilitated
patients whose primary infection may be cancer or Aids. Unfortunately,
toxins can be released by the fungus, further complicating the problem.
Yeasts, such as candida feeds on sugar. If the body's PH balance is
affected, the lactobacilli, which performs a necessary function for
the body find that this function is impaired and that the adverse affect
of candida is potentiated.
Some other conditions can also cause the candida to have an adverse
effect. If a mother is taking oral contraceptives, or during pregnancy,
this tends to increase the problem. Antibiotics, given for a legitimate
reason to kill a particular bug does not target the offending bacteria
only, and can knock out normally existing bacteria, who perform a necessary
function thus allowing candida a wider field of activity.
HIV and Aids patients are particularly prone to develop secondary fungal
infections. It has been noted that people who adopt a style of living
in which attention is paid to good nutrition, in the respect that the
level of intake of sugar and yeast is controlled, have added another
layer of protection against candidiasis.
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