There are several things you should understand about the fungal infection candida. You can learn more about candida symptoms here.
Candida is a yeast that lives on your skin. It’s also in small amounts in your intestines and mouth. An overgrowth of Candida can cause fungal infections, most commonly Candida albicans.
The healthy bacteria on your body and in your gut keep Candida from growing out of control but sometimes your body gets out of balance. That’s when Candida can grow out of control.
Keep reading to learn more about Candida and Candida symptoms.
What Causes Candida Overgrowth?
There are a few things that can cause an overgrowth of Candida leading to infections like Candida albicans. Those things are:
- Diabetes
- High stress
- Oral contraceptives
- Antibiotics
- High-sugar diet
- Weakened immune system
- Excessive alcohol use
Eating a nutritious diet low in sugar and alcohol helps prevent Candida issues.
Candida Symptoms
If you have one or more of these symptoms, it’s possible you have a Candida-related infection. If so, you can learn more about ridding your body of Candida at Microbe Formulas guide.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common Candida symptom, though fatigue by itself doesn’t mean you have excessive Candida. Nutritional deficiencies often go hand-in-hand with candidiasis which leads to fatigue.
Oral Thrush
Do you have a sore mouth with bumpy white patches on your tongue or inner cheeks? This is a sign of oral thrush which is a form of candidiasis.
Brain Fog
Do you struggle with focus, confusion, and forgetfulness? It could be Candida.
Candida produces a toxic metabolite called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde can make you feel drunk even if you haven’t had any alcohol!
Digestive Problems
Your gut is full of both “good” and “bad” bacteria. When there’s an excess of bad bacteria, digestive issues can follow.
An overgrowth of Candida in the gut is associated with problems such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Yeast Infections
Candida lives naturally in the vaginal tract. Recurring vaginal yeast infections are a sign of Candida overgrowth. Symptoms of a yeast infection include:
- Itching
- Painful intercourse
- White discharge
- Swelling
If you don’t eliminate the overgrowth of Candida, the infections keep coming back. That’s why it’s important to bring your gut microbiome back into balance.
Sinus Infections
Bacteria is the cause of many acute sinus infections but Candida is another cause of sinus infections. Antibiotics kill the good bacteria in your body, so a sinus infection treated with antibiotics may make the infection worse if the cause is Candida.
Skin and Nail Infections
Toenail, fingernail, and other skin infections, such as athlete’s foot are all potential signs of Candida issues.
Watch for These Candida Symptoms
Brain fog, exhaustion, oral thrush, and digestive problems are all Candida symptoms indicating a possible problem. Getting your gut in balance helps get the rest of your body back in balance.
There are many natural ways of ridding the body of a Candida overgrowth. Start by cutting out fast foods and sugar and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. If your symptoms are bad, check with your doctor.
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