Candida Symptoms
The symptoms of candida overgrowth that we most commonly see in clinic are -
Poor digestion
irregular bowel movements
bloating
Excessive gas
Vaginal Symptoms
sinusitis
“Brain fog”
Chronic fatigue
inability to focus
weight gain
A few other indicators found in women are:
yeast infections (present or past)
UTIs
vaginal itching during PMS
Any if these signs tell me a lot about a clients’ gut health and indicate the likely presence of a yeast overgrowth.
Candida Overgrowth
In many of these cases, these clients have been suffering for years with Candida yet visiting these doctors hasn’t got to the root of the problem.
Why is this? Each doctor tends to focus on just one organ where Candida may be causing symptoms rather than focusing on the big picture.
Gut Symptoms
The classic gut symptoms with Candida are bloating after a meal, excessive gas, and usually constipation. Many Candida patients have a long history of relying on over-the-counter antacids or laxatives to get relief. Eventually, they will see a gastroenterologist who diagnoses them with irritable bowel syndrome. If your physician tells you this, they are essentially saying “I don’t know what is causing your stomach pain!!”
Candida originates in the gut because the microbiome becomes unbalanced. This means the good bacteria are depleted and the Candida is overgrown. This usually happens due to long-term antibiotic use, birth control use for years, and a diet high in refined sugars and processed carbohydrates (like wheat flour). But it may not be linked to diet at all.
Vaginal Symptoms
Once the candida has overgrown in the gut, it can exit the intestinal system in what’s been termed ’leaky gut’. This happens when the bowel’s cell lining becomes more permeable and allows the Candida toxins to enter the bloodstream, which means it can affect other areas. Some women run to their doctor because the vaginal itching, burning, and discharge make them incredibly uncomfortable (it’s even hard for them to sit!).
UTIs
Candida species are the most common cause of fungal urinary tract infections (UTIs). Candida UTIs can occur in the lower portion of the urinary tract or in some cases can ascend up to the kidneys. Urinary tract candidiasis is known as the most frequent fungal infection worldwide. Candida albicans is the most common cause of fungal urinary tract infections. Research here.
Chronic Sinusitis (CS) -
Candida sinusitis is probably the most underdiagnosed cause of chronic sinusitis. The whole situation becomes a real “Catch-22” situation.
Most people do not realise that their chronic nasal congestion originates from their gut.
People with sinus symptoms tend to see a doctor for sinus pain. This doctor gives them a prescription for antibiotics and this will happen over and over again because the patient isn’t getting better. The patient thinks these antibiotics are making them better when they are actually making Candida worse.
Sinus tissue, just like vaginal, seems to be a comfortable home for candida overgrowth.
The Mayo Clinic published an article stating that 93% of all cases of CS were mold or fungal related. The researchers studied 210 patients with chronic sinusitis. Using new methods of collecting and testing mucus from the nose, they discovered fungus in 96% of the patients’ mucus. They identified a total of 40 different kinds of fungi in these patients, with an average of 2.7 kinds per patient. Research here.
Mucosal Membranes:
Mucosal membranes are important barriers that line the nose, mouth, lungs, urinary, vaginal, and digestive tracts. These membranes are laced with tight-knit cells that release a moist, sticky substance called mucus. The purpose of mucus is to cover and protect fragile cell layers below, and it traps debris. Mucus cells are meant to prevent ‘leaks,’ but damage and inflammation can cause these tight cells to loosen, allowing unwanted microbes (bacteria) to get through. In the digestive mucosal membrane, this problem is known as “leaky gut” or intestinal permeability.
Each location with a mucosal membrane (sinus, digestion, vaginal etc) in our body has an important and unique microbiome. The microbiome is a collective of microbes (bacteria etc) which serve as an important first-line of defence against invaders. For example, in the vagina, the microbiome prevents yeast infections by limiting the supply of sugar (sugar feeds yeast organisms) to keep its population in check. These types of regulation occur on the skin, in the upper respiratory tract (including the sinus cavities), and in the gastrointestinal tract. This is why it’s very common that CS is actually a signal of yeast overgrowth–or candida, as it’s commonly called.
“Brain Fog” or Cognitive Impairment
I have had clients so upset in consultations as they explained how they used to be so sharp and capable, but now simple daily reminders are a real problem.
With candida if you eat foods with sugar your metabolism literally ferments the sugar into alcohol. This makes you feel hung-over.
Chronic Fatigue
Chronic Fatigue syndrome is still mystifying by doctors and patients. When a clients’ medical history is consistent with Candida overgrowth this indicates a late stage of Candida. The good news is that the client can respond quite well to a comprehensive treatment plan. The client may have become mineral and vitamin deficient from the long-standing problem and they need aggressive Candida treatment with supplements.