“Systemic Yeast Infection”
A Systemic Yeast infection is at the far worst end of a
spectrum of conditions resulting from an infection by the
yeast-like fungal organism, Candida. Candida species are a
normal part of the ecology of our body and, when we are healthy and
the environment is optimal, the presence of Candida is not noticed,
nor is it harmful to us.
Unfortunately, under certain
conditions such as antibiotic use, stress and a lowered immune
status, Candida can alter our normal ecology, take over parts of our
body and become a Systemic Candida Infection, thus displacing the
normal, healthy bacteria that Candida normally lives harmoniously
with.
Mild and localized forms of Candida infections include
localized Candida skin infections, Yeast Infections of the vagina,
infections of the fingernails or toenails and, particularly in
babies, “thrush” or localized mouth infections.
As mentioned, at the
far end of the spectrum is a Systemic Yeast Infection, a
condition in which the yeast species invades the deeper regions of our body
and causes Candida symptoms. This can happen both as a result of an
infection and as a result of secondary phenomena that happen in
those with a Systemic Yeast Infection.
A Systemic Yeast
Infection caused by Candida is also called an “opportunistic”
infection, meaning that the organism is always present on or in the
body and waits for the right opportunity or the right set of
circumstances to take hold and cause disease.
A Systemic Yeast
Infection can begin under several opportunistic conditions. First,
there must exist circumstances that promote the growth of Candida
such as having an immune deficiency disease, being an organ
transplant recipient, AIDS, being on steroids like cortisone, being
diabetic, living on a high sugar diet or taking antibiotics,
especially more than one, for an extended period of time.
When the right circumstances exist for a Systemic Yeast
Infection, our healthy bacteria that compete for space and nutrients
with Candida are diminished. Candida, usually present in small
numbers in our system is not affected by antibiotics. If our
immune system doesn’t keep the Candida in check and/or if the
intestinal environment is high in sugar, the conditions become
favorable for a Systemic Yeast Infection.
The source
of the Candida organism can actually be anywhere on the body. In
hospitalized patients, the source is often from catheters, IVs and
other devices that connect the inside of the body to the skin on the
outside. Candida is given a direct route to enter the body at the
site of the catheter, etc., and, depending on the conditions already
discussed, the Candida is allowed to grow and become a Systemic
Yeast Infection.
In otherwise normal people, a deep skin
infection, a severe vaginal infection or thrush-like infection can
cause a systemic yeast infection or blood-borne infection,
particularly when the “host” conditions (our body environment),
promote the establishment of a solid Systemic Candida
overgrowth.
The vast majority of systemic yeast infections in
non-hospitalized individuals, however, arise through an initial
overgrowth of the organisms in the intestinal tract. Under
conditions where the healthy bacteria have been eradicated or in
those whose immune system just can’t handle the overgrowth, Candida
species proliferate, invade the lining of the gut and “punch holes”
in the lining, causing a destruction in the integrity of the
intestinal wall.
This loss of normal bowel integrity is
where the real systemic problems begin. Candida can invade the
bloodstream, the liver and the urinary tract. The “leaky” bowel
allows toxins, dangerous pathogenic organisms and products of food
digestion to enter the body as well.
The end result is stress on the
liver, the development of food allergies, allergies to toxins and
the possibility of Candida and bacteria forming pockets of infection
anywhere inside the body resulting in a Systemic Yeast Infection.
The symptoms of a Systemic Yeast Infection are
numerous and are often
difficult for doctors to relate directly back
to a Candida source:
The diagnosis of a Systemic Yeast Infection is difficult.
Cultures of the blood turn up Candida less than half of the time,
even in those with a documented case of Systemic Candidiasis.
Positive cultures of local areas of involvement, such as the urine,
vagina or skin, do not necessarily predict the presence of a
Systemic Yeast Infection.
Stool cultures showing an elevated amount
of Candida species is probably the best indicator of the probability
of systemic involvement. Practically speaking, however, the
diagnosis is best made by keeping in mind the cluster of possible
Candida-related symptoms, by excluding other possibilities and
by expecting a positive culture for Candida only in the luckiest of
circumstances.
Those suspected or proven to have a Systemic
Yeast Infection have several options for treatment. A hospitalized
patient almost always receives a potent intravenous anti-fungal
medicine as the mainstay of their treatment. This kind of patient is
seriously ill and was usually quite ill before the Candida invaded
their body. Many of these patients do not survive; a diagnosis of
Systemic Candidiasis in a hospitalized patient carries a high
mortality rate.
The traditional treatment for others afflicted with a Systemic
Yeast Infection, a doctor may prescribe one of several oral
anti-fungal agents. Therapy of this type may need to continue for
several weeks in order for all of the infection to be
cleared.
Again, the problem with this approach is that it never heals the underlying imbalance (dysbiosis) and you will be plagued with recurring yeast infections.
Following the Candida diet guidelines which is low in simple sugars and in foods containing
flour (a minimally-complex carbohydrate). Herbal or nutritional
therapies that have direct anti-fungal properties.
Nutritional
support for the liver. Nutritional support for the immune system. In
anyone undergoing treatment for a Systemic Yeast Infection, there
may be an initial worsening of the symptoms as the Candida
dies off and the toxins are released from the dead organisms.
In
addition, the importance of recreating a healthy “ecological
environment” inside the body, particularly inside the intestinal
tract, cannot be overstated. Simply put, it is not enough to just
“get rid of” the Candida.
The use of probiotics, healthy
“replacement” bacteria, should strongly be considered in order to
restore the intestinal tract to a healthier state. By using
probiotics, the conditions that contributed to the development of
Systemic Yeast Infection in the first place can be reversed.
Want to Use This Article In Your Website or E-Zine? Feel free to do so provided you keep the following blurb with it: “David Corner is the author and publisher of many health related articles including the book “the Candida Cleanse Protocol”. For FREE access to his library of articles and natural candida cleanse related resources please visit www.CandidaCleanseBlog.
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