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Some health care professionals believe that candida
infects 89% of the US population. Many Americans don’t realize that
candidiasis is caused by the overuse and abuse of antibiotics, steroids,
NSAIDs and poor dietary habits. By simply following the standard of
healthcare in our society and eating the standard American diet, you may be
putting yourself at risk of recurrent candida yeast infections. Candida
overgrowth, in my professional opinion, is a result of the choices that our
parents or we made regarding food and healthcare. Because of the “pop-a-pill
for every symptom” approach to healthcare, fast food, processed food and
high sugar diets in our culture, it has created the perfect opportunity for
candida overgrowth. Unfortunately, once you’ve experienced a bout with the
feisty yeast-like fungus, you are likely to continue to have many periodic
infections if you continue the same habits that caused it in the first
place. Are You Bewildered by Your Symptoms? Most people are aware of the
most common manifestations of candida as yeast infection, jock itch, thrush,
athlete’s foot and ringworm. But what is not commonly known are all the
other seemingly unrelated symptoms that are caused by candida, like chronic
fatigue, food allergies, digestive problems, sexual dysfunction,
constipation, headaches and the list goes on and on. It’s important to
realize that candida albicans is an important part of the normal flora in
the intestinal tract. It’s only when it becomes overabundant due to dietary
indiscretions, use of prescription and non prescription drugs or other
situations that disturb the normal balance that it becomes a problem. You
may already have an idea whether you have a candida yeast infection, but to
be sure you may want to be tested. Candida testing through your doctor is a
complicated process. Here are two tests you can do at home yourself and get
a pretty accurate idea as to whether you are experiencing a problem with
candida overgrowth. A Simple Test You Can Do at Home First thing in the
morning, before you put ANYTHING in your mouth, get a clear glass and fill
with water. Work up a bit of saliva, then spit it into the glass of water.
Check the water after a moment or within 2-3 minutes, then within every 15
minutes. If you have a candida yeast infection, you will see strings, like
cloudy legs, traveling down into the water from the saliva floating on the
top, or "cloudy" saliva will sink to the bottom of the glass, or cloudy
specks will seem to be suspended in the water. If there are no strings, the
water is as clear as it was before you spit in the glass and the saliva is
still floating after at least one hour, you are probably candida yeast free.
The more strings and cloudiness there is and the faster it develops, the
greater the overgrowth. The Candida Questionnaire Answer the following
questions in each of the three sections listed below to determine if you are
likely to have candida overgrowth in your body. (This test is designed for
adults.) SECTION 1 - HEALTH HISTORY For each yes answer, score yourself the
number of points indicated to the left of each question. * 25 - Have you
taken tetracycline or other antibiotics for acne for one month or more? * 20
- Have you taken broad-spectrum antibiotics for any infection for two months
or longer, or shorter courses in a one-year period? * 25 - Have you ever
been bothered by persistent prostatitis, vaginitis or other problems
affecting your reproductive organs? * 3 - Have you been pregnant one time
only? * 5 - Have you been pregnant two or more times? * 15 - Have you taken
birth control pills two or more years? * 8 - Have you taken birth control
pills less than two years? * 6 - Have you taken Prednisone or other
cortisone-type drug for less than two weeks? * 15 - Have you taken
Prednisone or other cortisone-type drug for more than two weeks? * 5 - Does
exposure to fragrances, mall odors or chemicals provoke mild allergic
symptoms? * 20 - Does exposure to fragrances, mall odors or chemicals
provoke moderate to severe allergic symptoms? * 20 - Are these symptoms
worse on damp, muggy days or in moldy places? * 10 - Have you had athlete’s
foot, jock itch, ring worm, or chronic fungus infection of skin or nails?
Mild to moderate? * 20 - Have you had athlete’s foot, jock itch, ring worm,
or chronic fungus infection of skin or nails? Severe to persistent? * 10 -
Do you crave sugar? * 10 - Do you crave bread? * 10 - Do you crave alcoholic
beverages? * 10 - Does tobacco smoke bother you? Total your points for
HEALTH HISTORY SECTION 2 Rate the following symptoms: 3 points - Occasional
or mild 6 points - Frequent and/or moderately severe 9 points - Severe
and/or disabling Symptoms * Fatigue or “feeling drained * Poor memory;
feeling spacey or “unreal” * Depression * Numbness, burning or tingling *
Muscle aches, weakness or paralysis * Pain and/or swelling joints *
Abdominal pain * Bloating, constipation or diarrhea * Persistent vaginal
burning/itching * Troublesome vaginal discharge * Prostatitis * Impotence or
loss of sexual desire * Endometriosis, PMS, menstrual irregularities, or
other reproductive organ concerns * Spots in front of the eyes; erratic
vision Total your points for SECTION 2 SECTION 3 Rate these symptoms: 1
point - Occasional or mild 2 points - Frequent and/or moderately severe
Symptoms * Frequent drowsiness * Frequent irritability and/or jitteriness *
Frequent lack of coordination * Frequent inability to concentrate * Frequent
mood swings (ups & downs) * Frequent headaches * Frequent dizziness/loss of
balance * Feeling of head swelling & tingling * Frequent itching anywhere on
body * Frequent or persistent rashes * Frequent heartburn and/or indigestion
* Belching, burping & intestinal gas * Mucus in stools * Hemorrhoids *
Frequent dry mouth * Rash or blisters in/around mouth * Bad breath * Joint
swelling or arthritis * Nasal congestion, itching or discharge * Postnasal
drip * Frequent sore or dry throat * Frequent unexplained cough * Pain or
tightness in chest * Wheezing or shortness of breath * Urinary urgency or
frequency * Burning on urination * Noticeably failing vision * Recurrent
infections or fluid in ears * Ear pain or deafness Total your points for
SECTION 3 ADD YOUR SCORES FOR ALL 3 SECTIONS Your total score can help you
determine if your health concerns are yeast related. SCORE: Women above 180
– Men above 140: almost certainly yeast related. Women 121 to 180 – Men 91
to 140: probably yeast related. Women: 60 to 120 – Men 40 to 90: possibly
yeast related. Below 60 for women and 40 for men probably not yeast related
Do these two tests at home and you will have a good indication as to whether
you have a candida yeast/fungal overgrowth problem. Although candida is
difficult to manage and eliminate there are effective alternative treatments
that restore the normal flora balance and rid the body of the overgrowth of
candida albicans. But beware. There are numerous products on the market and
many are ineffective, marginally effective and most only work with a strict
and difficult-to-follow diet. The typical candida diet consists mostly of
meat and vegetables. Carbohydrates, starches and sugars feed the yeast and
cause them to multiply, as well as foods that contain high content of yeast
or mold, like alcoholic beverages, aged cheeses, mushrooms, vinegar and
breads. Threelac is Proven to Work There is one product however, Threelac,
that has been proven to reduce candida and bring the proper balance to the
intestinal flora without following a rigid diet. In tests done in the U.S.
based on patients who ate a Western diet, everyone reported they were
candida free without going on a strict candida diet. Do you want to deprive
yourself of your favorite foods forever just to be candida free? Or would
you prefer to kick your candida problem and enjoy your food too with a
product that is proven to reduce candidiasis without following a strict
diet? While candida still poses a very real health challenge to many women,
thank goodness there are now effective solutions that can help suffers find
lasting relief. Candida doesn’t have to change your life forever and rage
back out of control every time you indulge a little bit. |
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