Identifying Candida Symptoms

Candida symptoms are vast and all encompassing and can even incapacitate the individual.  Candida is nearly an epidemic in our society and is responsible for many of the chronic illness categories we see so frequently.  Most people are unaware that it even exists, because most main stream doctors are uneducated about its impact on our health.  People suffering from Candida often go from doctor to doctor for years and are usually told they are a hypochondriac or that it is stress or a psychiatric problem, before ever discovering the real culprit.

Candida Albicans is a naturally occurring yeast that is present in all our bodies and it is supposed to be there in balance with many other microorganisms.  The problem begins when several factors in our lifestyle cause the Candida to grow in outstanding numbers and it overtakes all the other healthy microorganisms. 

This yeast normally resides in the intestinal tract, mouth, throat and genitals, however it can burrow holes in the intestinal tract, enter the blood stream and then make it's way into any organ of the body. To make matters worse it emits over 70 different toxins into the body. Some people may even become allergic to the yeast itself.

Once this yeast proliferates in the body, it wrecks havock in many ways and is the insitigator of many common maladies, conditions, syndromes and illnesses in our population.

Some of the most frequent candida symptoms are:

• abdominal gas


• headaches


• migraines


• excessive fatigue


• cravings for alcohol


• anxiety


• vaginitis


• rectal itching


• cravings for sweets


• inability to think clearly or concentrate


• hyperactivity


• mood swings


• diarrhea


• constipation


• hyperactivity


• itching


• acne


• eczema


• depression


• sinus inflammation


• pre-menstrual syndrome


• dizziness


• poor memory


• persistent cough


• earaches


• low sex drive


• muscle weakness


• irritability


• learning difficulties


• sensitivity to fragrances and/or other chemicals


• cognitive impairment


• thrush


• athletes foot


• sore throat


• indigestion


• acid reflux

One of the most well known forms of yeast is the vaginal yeast infection.However, it may play a role in just about any mental health condition or chronic illness you can think of. Yeast overgrowth is considered to be a leading contributor in alcoholism, irritable bowel syndrome, mcs - multiple chemical sensitivites, crohns, autism, cfs - chronic fatigue syndrome, leaky gut syndrome, pms, endometriosis,fms - fibromyalgia syndrome, prostatitis, attention deficit disorder, multiple sclerosis, asthma, food allergies, muscle and joint pain, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, asthma, repeated urinary tract infections, hormonal imbalances, migraines, digestive disturbances, difficult menopause psoriasis, lupus, chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, addisons disease and many more.

Men may like to read the Candida symptoms in males section for additional information about some of the unique aspects that apply to them, but be sure to return back here for the majority of material is found here.

The organ most frequently affected by yeast overgrowth is the brain but it also affects these systems:

• digestive


• nervous


• cardiovascular


• respiratory


• reproductive


• urinary


• endocrine


• lymphatic


• musculoskeletal

Candida symptoms can vary from one person to another and often move back and forth between systems within the same individual.  One day you may experience symptoms in the musculoskeletal system and the next day it could be the digestive system ,etc.


Reducing Candida Symptoms

There are many causes of candida, but the biggest contributors are the overuse of antibiotics and a diet high in sugar and refined foods. 

First and foremost you want to refrain from taking antibiotics unless it is absolutely necessary.  Try to find other healthy alternatives to infections etc., but of course there may be times when it can’t be avoided.  If you must take an antibiotic for some reason, you should always be sure to take an acidophilus supplement during the course of the treatment.  This will help keep healthy bacteria present in your body. 

Taking acidophilus on a daily basis is one of the best defenses against yeast overgrowth and it promotes a healthy colon.

The second most important factor in reducing candida symptoms is to follow a candida diet.  A diet high in sugar is a haven for yeast.  Eliminating sugars and refined foods is essential if you have Candida overgrowth.  Initially even fruits and high carbohydrate foods may need to be eliminated and then reintroduced to the diet later as you get better.  Meat, eggs, vegetables and yogurt are what is best to stick with and small amounts of whole, healthy carbohydrates such as brown rice or potatoes. If you need some ideas on what to eat, you may enjoy the candida diet recipes page.

Most people with yeast overgrowth are also suffering from nutritional deficiencies and correcting your deficiencies can help you in your battle over candida symptoms.

There are a variety of natural health products that are helpful in the treatment of Candida symptoms such as caprylic acid, garlic, taheebo tea, peppermint, oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract, colloidal silver as well as a few prescription medicines you can get from a doctor. 

It is also essential to keep your home environment healthy and not-toxic.  Chemicals weaken the immune system and if the immune system is weak this also allows the yeast to proliferate.  So keeping your home chemical free by using non-toxic and natural cleaning supplies, personal care products etc. will help your body stay stronger.

A good holistic Candida cleanse is the most powerful way to relieve Candida symptoms and improve your health.

Many people find the use of a good colon cleanse like enemas to be helpful in eradicating or reducing their symptoms.  These can be either plain water, or mixed with nystatin or acidophilus.   Good colon health is crucial for reducing yeast overgrowth.

Nystatin is a prescription drug that can be obtained from a physician.  It is a non-toxic drug that is not absorbed into the blood stream and is very helpful with yeast in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract.  It can also be used as a douche if you are experiencing vaginal itching from yeast.

One very popular treatment product is called Threelac. You may want to read my review and experience with this prodcut before trying it yourself.

There are many different treatment approaches and products on the market today and this can be very confusing. To make things more difficult, not all practitioners treating this condition have a well rounded picture of what's needed for success. It's important that you have a thorough understanding of the complexities of Candida yourself and the most effective way to approach treatment before trying any particular remedy. By randomly choosing products without understanding the true nature of this beast it can actually hinder your progress in eliminating yeast overgrowth. If you're looking for a quick read that will cover all the bases for you and get you on the right path from the very start, you may want to take a look at"Candida Secrets."

During any treatment approach most people experience a temporary worsening of symptoms called
Candida die off. This is a normal part of the healing process.

Do You Have Candida?

There are a variety of tests that practitioners use to diagnose yeast overgrowth, that may include stool tests, blood tests, live blood cell tests, etc., but the truth is that none of these tests are really reliable. They may or may not detect an infection of Candidiasis.

The simple most effective way to know if you have a yeast problem is by your symptoms. The very best and most accurate test is the written questionnaire that you can find in Dr. Crook's book called "The Yeast Syndrome."

Another very effective and affordable test is called the "spit test." Here's how you do it:

As soon as you wake up in the morning before you put anything in your mouth, get a glass of water in a clear glass that you can see through. Don't use tap water.

Collect saliva in your mouth with your tongue and spit it into the glass.

Now keep an eye on your saliva in the glass for the next 15 minutes and observe what it does.

If you see any of the following, then it indicates the presence of yeast colonies:

• Your saliva stays at the top and you see thin strands that look like strings or spider legs extending downward.


• Your saliva floats to the bottom and looks cloudy.


• Your saliva is suspended in mid-air and looks like little specs are floating.

See the picture below for guidance.



Candida is really an insidious, tricky yeast and once you have overgrowth it can be extremely difficult to get under control.  It takes a lot of patience, education and persistence.  I know this all to well, as I have faced this struggle myself for many years.   If you need to talk to someone who understands, you may find my holistic health phone counseling to be helpful.  I can give you tips and advice on diet, supplementation, treatment options, coping and adjustment, lifestyle changes or whatever you may want to talk about.

There are several excellent books listed at the bottom of this page to guide you along your way and even if you don’t have a Candida problem these books are excellent pieces of education on the growing incidence of this devastating, yet rarely acknowledged syndrome.

It's also best to find an alternative health doctor who has a complete and thorough understanding of candida symptoms and its impact on health to guide you if you are just beginning to learn.

Candida Books
This book saved my life!  Highly recommended.
*The Missing Diagnosis (Orion Truss, M.D.)

The Yeast Syndrome (Trowbridge,M.D.  and Walker)
The Yeast Connection (William Crook)

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