Candida Albicans Testing

What is Candida and Candida Albicans?

Candida, (or candidiasis) is the term used to describe yeast overgrowth in the body. It is caused by the overgrowth of the single-celled fungus, candida albicans. Candida albicans normally lives in the mucous membranes of the body, especially in the intestines and other parts of the digestive tract. When the immune system is weakened, it can overgrow, get out of control and cause many symptoms diseases and malfunctions in the body of which vaginal and oral thrush are the most common known.

How is Candida Caused?

Candida commonly occurs as a side effect of the use of commonly prescribed drugs- antibiotics, birth control pills, and corticosteroids. With antibiotic use normal body flora are killed off and space is available for this common yeast, Candida albicans, to overgrow in the intestinal or genitor-urinary tract. Mild infections of the skin, vagina, throat, or bladder may develop in the beginning. If you have it for a long time and if the immune system is weakened the yeast can move into its fungal form which grows roots that can dig into the intestinal wall. This allows spores to filter through the wall into your blood and can then get into other organs, tissues and cells. The big problem is that a lot of new symptoms can result.

Should You Test for Candida?

If you suffer from one or more of the following symptoms it is worth being tested for Candida:

Premenstrual symptoms
Abdominal pain, gas, bloating
Constipation, diarrhoea
Recurrent vaginal yeast infections in women or prostate problems in men
Cravings for sweets, breads, or alcohol
Sensitivity to molds, dampness, and smells
Mental symptoms such as depression, mood swings, or confusion
Feeling spaced out drained, everything is an effort
Chronic fatigue, tired all the time, no energy
Indigestion, or food reaction
Recurrent skin fungus infection, such as ringworm, athlete’s foot, “jock itch,” or nail problems
Muscle and joint aches and pains

Candida Tests

A simple method is to use a questionnaire to help diagnose the problem. The scores indicates the likelihood of a Candida problem and is a good indicator.

Depending on the symptoms, our trained naturopaths may also recommend stool tests, tongue analysis, vaginal swabs and saliva tests to confirm candida albicans infections.

If the symptoms are widespread and suspected to be in the blood, candida testing can be organised through a laboratory. This checks for Candida IgG, IgA, IgM, Candida Antigen.

How We Treat Candida

Once Candida is confirmed, we will work hard to bring your body back into balance. Your candida infection may be treated in three steps.

The first step is to stop feeding the Candida albicans what they thrive on. A suitable anti-candida diet specific to your needs is implemented. Candida albicans growth is curbed by herbs and killed off.
Your Immune system is strengthened using herbs and nutrition.
The colon is restored to its natural state by re-implanting physiologically active bacteria. Normal intestinal ecology is then re-established and this further discourages candida overgrowth.

Then, a further candida test ensures that you are free of candida.

The Candida Problem Occurs at Two Levels

First as the more obvious infections, of which skin rashes, oral thrush and vaginitis are the most common (intestinal overgrowth is also common)
Second and more serious systemic reactions, can then result in such symptoms as recurrent skin fungus infections. Examples being ringworm, athlete’s foot, “jocks itch,” or nail problems; headaches; fatigue; cystitis or prostatitis; mental symptoms such as mood swings, poor memory or concentration, depression, or confusion; premenstrual symptoms; recurrent herpes infection; joint pains; cravings for sweets, bread, or alcohol; indigestion or food reactions; and sensitivity to molds, dampness, environmental pollution, cigarettes, and various smells.

Get in touch now

Call us on 03 98799596.