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- What is candidiasis?
- Symptoms of candidiasis
- Causes of candidiasis
- Prevention of candidiasis
- Risk factors for candidiasis
- Complications of candidiasis
- When to see a doctor about candidiasis
- Diagnosis of candidiasis
- Conventional treatment of candidiasis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of candidiasis
- Living with candidiasis
- Caring for someone with candidiasis
Candidiasis may be unpreventable in certain circumstances:
- Diabetics - people who have diabetes are more prone to developing candidiasis (and other opportunistic infections) because of their lowered immunity and inability of their pancreas (and the rest of their digestive system) to function normally
- People taking antibiotics - people sometimes need to take antibiotics, especially if they have a bacterial infection that could possibly become life threatening. The only known way to resolve a bacterial infection is to prescribe antibiotics and one of the known side effects of antibiotics is an overgrowth of the candida albicans yeast, especially in the vagina (for women) and penis (for men) and less commonly in the mouth. In this case, the candidiasis is difficult to prevent because it is just going to be a known and accepted side effect of the antibiotic treatment, especially for people who are on long-term antibiotic therapy for serious bacterial illness
- People taking certain medications - people who are taking medications that suppress immunity (AIDS/HIV medications, corticosteroids, chemotherapy) are more open to developing candidiasis, as well as any other opportunistic conditions because these medications suppress and lower the functioning of the immune system, so that it cannot cope with the overgrowth of the candida albicans yeast. This is just an unfortunate side effect of the medications they are taking and is not easily prevented, although steps can be taken to reduce the risk
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There are ways to prevent candidiasis from occurring:
- Obesity - people who are very overweight are much more susceptible to an overgrowth of the candida albicans yeast (and any other opportunistic infections) because their gastrointestinal system is over-burdened due to their excessive weight. The best way to prevent candidiasis is to ensure weight is within a healthy range
- People taking antibiotics - the only way to prevent candidiasis from occurring while taking antibiotics is to ensure that they are only prescribed for a bacterial infection (and not for a viral infection) and to eat plain yoghurt with live acidophilus cultures and possibly also take a probiotic supplement while on the antibiotics (but at different times)
- Poor diet - people that have a very poor diet, that does not include enough of all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients required for good health, are more prone to an overgrowth of the candida albicans yeast, because their digestive system is not functioning properly. Poor dietary choices overburden the gastrointestinal system and allow "bad" bacteria and yeasts to proliferate and cause a number of adverse symptoms. It is essential to follow a healthy diet that includes lots of fibre, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, some dairy, some oily fish and some meat and poultry and other proteins
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< 3: causes 5: risk factors > Last reviewed: 2 September 2007 || Last updated: 3 January 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
