What Is Candidiasis?

What Is Candidiasis?
An infection with a fungus of the genus Candida.

It is usually a superficial infection of the moist cutaneous areas
of the body and is generally caused by Candida albicans, it most
commonly involves the skin (dermatocandidiasis), oral mucous membranes
(oral candidiasis), respiratory tract (bronchocandidiasis) and vagina
(vaginal candidiasis or thrush). Rarely there is a systemic infection
or endocarditis.

Oral candidiasis: describes a fungal (yeast) infection of the
oral cavity due to Candida. It is common in infants, diabetics or those
on chemotherapy and is well recognised in patients with HIV infection
and AIDS. Thrush is the common name for a yeast infection in the mouth.

Thrush is not contagious. This form of yeast is normally present on
your skin and only occasionally grows to the extent we recognize as
thrush. Hospitalized infants who have thrush are not normally placed in
isolation.

Thrush responds well to treatment which usually includes the use of
oral nystatin drops. It is important to remember that many infants with
oral thrush will develop a yeast diaper rash requiring medicated creams.

Oesophageal candidiasis: Infection of the oesophagus by the
yeast-like fungus Candidal albicans. Usually occurs in the
immunocompromised individual (AIDS or following chemotherapy). Oral
candidiasis is a predisposing factor but oesophageal involvement can
occur without evidence of infection in the oral cavity. Symptoms
include difficulty swallowing, pain on swallowing and oral lesions.
Diagnosis is made using endoscopy.

Treatment is with antifungal agents such as ketoconazole or fluconazole.

Synonym: moniliasis, candidosis, oidiomycosis, blastodendriosis.

Antibiotic treatment for some other condition, such as Bronchitis.html">bronchitis,
kills many of the bacteria normally present on the skin and in the
intestine. This allows the fungus to grow, thus causing the infection.
Altered hormone levels in the body, such as those that occur during
pregnancy and while taking contraceptive pills, also make it easier for
the fungi to grow. The infection may accompany other disorders, such as
AIDS, diabetes mellitus, leukemia, or
conditions that require treatment with corticosteroid drugs, all of
which lower the body's immunity to Candida albicans.

To be most effective in the treatment of thrush, nutritional
supplements work better in combination. It may be more beneficial to
take a variety of Herbs or Nutrients for more rapid and complete
healing.

Vitamins : A, B Complex, Nicotinamide, C (large doses)

Minerals : Potassium Chloride 6X, Iron Phosphate 6X, Zinc

Amino Acids : L-Lysine

Food Supplements :

Acidophilus (orally & topically), Nutritional Yeast

Herbs : Garlic, Echinacea