Candida and other Fungal Related Disease

Candida and other Fungal Related Disease

Fungal related disease (FRD) and more specifically Candidiasis is now commonly encountered and often triggered by antibiotic use and a diet high in refined carbohydrates. Candida albicans is frequently involved constituting one of the yeasts, which are found in small amounts in even a healthy bowel. Yeasts like moulds and mushrooms belong to the kingdom of fungi.

SYMPTOMS:

Chronic Fatigue
Generalized Malaise
Gastrointestinal Complaints (Bloating, Wind, Diarrhoea), IBS
Food Intolerances
Recurrent Infections
Allergies
Skin Problems
Decreased Concentration or “Brain Fog”
Depression
Irritability
Craving for Sweets or Carbohydrates
Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) symptoms
Migraine
Arthritis
Asthma
Obesity
Reduced alcohol intolerance

These symptoms are frequently due to an overgrowth of yeast in the bowel. This in turn is often due to antibiotic use destroying not only the harmful, but also the beneficial gut bacteria and therefore creating space for the fungus to take over. Refined carbohydrates like sugar are the fungi’s favourite food and let them thrive. The fungus’ aggressive activity creates damage in the gut lining and the fine filter mechanism of the bowel becomes compromised leaving enlarged holes (so-called “leaky gut”), which can allow incompletely digested food particles to enter the blood circulation. These particles mimic natural cytokines (leading to inflammatory reactions like migraine, asthma, eczema, arthritis etc.) and natural hormones (leading to mood swings, fluid retention, bloating and weight gain).

This process also upsets the acid/base balance leading to magnesium loss through the kidneys. Magnesium is particularly important in driving the energy cycle within the cell; low levels result in severe fatigue at cellular level as well as cramps, stiffness, aching, headaches, abdominal pain and circulatory problems.

Yeasts will also take advantage of any nutrition in food leading to deficiencies, in particular B- vitamins (metabolic processes, brain and nervous system) and zinc (immune/allergic reactions).

DIAGNOSIS:

Several investigations are available to test for Candida including blood tests for Candida antibodies, Gut Fermentation Profile, Poly-Ethylene Glycol test and Short-Chain Polypeptide level test. Unfortunately all of these tests can show false positive results due to other causes of leaky gut or previous Candida infection.

In practice the most reliable test has been a simple questionnaire developed by Norwegian Doctor Heiko Santelmann after treating 900 patients and having 145 questions statistically analysed to work out, which ones would predict patients getting better with antifungal treatment.

Fungal Disease Diagnostic Questionnaire
(According to Dr Santelmann)
NO YES

1
Have you at any time in your life taken a course of antibiotics?

0 3

2
Have you at any time in your life either:

taken antibiotics continuously for a month or more or
taken four or more courses of antibiotics within 12 months?
0 3

3 Are your symptoms worse on damp, muggy days or in mouldy places? 0 3

4 Do you crave sugar/refined carbohydrates (or get hypoglycaemic easily)? 0 3

5 Do you have a feeling of being “drained”?
0
– occasionally or mild 1

– frequently or moderately severe
2
– severe or disabling 3

6 Are you bothered with vaginal burning, itching or discharge (or similar symptoms form the penis)? (Or do you have other fungal infections like ringworm or athlete’s foot)? 0

– occasionally or mild 1

– frequently or moderately severe 2

– severe or disabling 3

7 Are you bothered by burning, itching or tearing of the eyes? 0
– occasionally or mild 1

– frequently or moderately severe 2

– severe or disabling 3
TOTAL SCORE

Score 0-3 = FRD unlikely

Score 4-9 = FRD probable

Score 10-21 = FRD almost certain

In several cases, when the suspicion has been high due to the symptoms suffered, the antifungal regime has been successful, even when the above questionnaire did not display a very high score.