I know this isn't the most glamorous topic, but it's an important one and more prevalent that you might think.
Candida albicans is fungus that is part of normal flora. That means some Candida is suppose to be in the body, genitals, GI tract, and skin. The problem is when there is too much, yeast overgrowth occurs, which leads to pesky symptoms.
Since Candida is part of normal flora, overgrowth symptoms can occur in many places. It may manifest as an itchy rash, diarrhea, flatulence, bloating, rectal itching, genital itching, white coating on the tongue, and muscle/joint pain to name a few. People also experience sugar cravings, alcohol cravings, mood fluctuations, feeling spacey or forgetful, and decreased libido.
As you may imagine, yeast is not the only thing that can cause these symptoms. That's why it's so important to get tested with your physician if you suspect you may have yeast overgrowth. Some reasons yeast overgrowth may occur include:
A diet high in refined carbohydrates or sugar -- yeast feed on sugar, so a lot of sugar in the diet helps yeast grow
Excessive use of antibiotics -- antibiotics kill bacteria. Once all the bacteria are killed off, there is ample space for yeast to take over the unoccupied territory
Immune suppression from a health condition or medication -- one of the jobs of the immune system is to ensure that there is balance among the cell types and flora. When the immune system is suppressed, maintaining balance takes a back seat
Stress and Pregnancy are also natural immune suppressors, so it is common for yeast to overgrow when in these states
For more information about how to test for yeast overgrowth and how to treat, contact me through QC Natural Health