Systemic Candidiasis

DIAGNOSING, AND TREATING YOUR CONDITION WITH LOVE FROM FIORE


In the modern world of Western Medicine this condition is often overlooked, and in some cases never treated. The majority of the medical community refuses to credit this condition as serious, and life threatening so it causes complications when trying to treat it. The first step to understanding your condition is understanding how serious it is.  


Systemic candidiasis: A candida infection that spreads throughout the body. If it invades major organs such as the brain and heart, death may result. It is rare in healthy individuals and tends to occur in immunocompromised individuals. The disorder is difficult to diagnose as it can invade almost any organ of the body and hence the symptoms are hugely variable. 

Systemic candidiasis is an infection which is on the increase, and it is affecting an increasing number of people year after year. The condition is an infection which affects a lot of people without them even realizing it, and they do not know they have it until it is too late. Doctors struggle to diagnose this condition, as symptoms tend to vary from one person to another. 

There is a vast array of symptoms that are commonly associated with this infection.Systemic candidiasis is commonly known as a yeast infection which affects the intestines. The associated symptoms include problems with the gastro intestinal system such as intestinal cramps, heartburn, constipation, chronic diarrhea, gas or bloating. Other associated symptoms include chronic fatigue and this is especially after consuming food, depression, reduced levels of concentration, poor memory, rectal itching, muscle pains, and allergies that include both air born and food related.

There are other common related symptoms including impotence, prostatitis, memory loss, a feeling of being faint and light headed after eating certain foods, severe pre-menstrual syndrome, aching joints, acne, irritability and reoccurring vaginal infections or urinary infections. All of the mentioned symptoms can happen as part of the fungal type of candida as this fungus can puncture the intestinal wall and allows toxins to leak through and enter into the bloodstream

Once the toxins have escaped into the bloodstream they basically start to poison the intestinal organs including the liver and the brain. The liver will be put under pressure due to the volume of toxins, which are being transported around the body. Normally by the time someone has realized that their body is suffering from systemic candidiasis they generally do not feel well. Once you have systemic candidiasis, it is a long road towards recovery and getting back to some sort of normal health.

Food allergies tend to be another common problem, which happen as a result of particles of food entering into the blood stream. In these cases it is again very difficult to diagnose and it is also a very long road to recovery. In most cases the only way of recovering is to avoid the food that causes the problem in the first place.

The anti candida diets are really the first step in getting back to some sort of normal life and this has to be combined with an anti-fungal program. It is very common for both of these diets to also be accompanied with a probiotic supplement. In some cases the patient only has to follow these programs for a couple of months. However, in some cases people have to follow them for a year or even several years.

Systemic candidiasis is not impossible to treat but it does take a lot of very hard work and also an immense amount of dedication. If you are able to follow these plans and stick to them your health will see positive benefits and you will eventually start to get back to some state of normal health.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3881089




That pretty much sums it up. Now how do you get started..To diagnose this condition you must seek out a Holistic Doctor that specializes in Candida. Dr. Mann was the one who has thankfully helped me regain my sense of ME again, a person that becomes a fond memory while seeking recovery. Her number is 818.575.9488


I've been undergoing treatment now for close to 2 years. When I began I suffered from the following symptoms

Month one of the candida diet!

Symptoms during treatment

• Nausea
• Headache, fatigue, dizziness
• Swollen glands
• Bloating, gas, constipation or diarrhea
• Increased joint or muscle pain
• Elevated heart rate
• Chills, cold feeling in your extremities
• Body itchiness, hives or rashes
• Sweating
• Fever
• Skin breakouts
• Recurring infections and inflammation
• Mental Detox and reliving depression or chronic stress
• Nightmares
• Skin crawling
• Food Cravings

This was my diary from the first month several months of undergoing treatment

September 2010

Most difficult obstacle: learning how to change everything! I'm not going to lie it was absolute hell. I really didn't think I was going to make it through this far, and I have to say I leaned a lot on Charles Stanley www.intouch.org (Its a must do part of your every day life. Prayer, and faith)...

.... my artwork, and my partner and friends. Wow, a support system is really important. I had an acupuncture yesterday and my Naturopathic was very pleased with my progress I did have many moments when I thought I was so hungry I just wouldn't make it, but then God sent me angels like this woman at my friends work who just went through it. She experienced serious weight gain after her first born, night sweats, and most of the horrible things one has with candida overgrowth and hormone imbalance. She was loaded with antibiotics and was in and out of doctors trying to understand why she was so ill only to be getting worse. After a doctor diagnosed her with obesity she called it quits to doctors, and went in search for an answer. After almost a decade of living with Candida she finally realized what she had and is now SYMPTOM and extra overwhelming WEIGHT free. She also realized her blood type had alot to do with her eating as well. With the right diet, herbs, and probiotics she cured herself and is no longer diabetic,  or has any thyroid conditions, is off all medications and back to normal. This was my sign to keep going. Then my friend spoke to Dr. John Dommissee who studied under William Cook who passed in 2002

William G. Crook, MD, popularized the idea that multiple intestinal and systemic symptoms can arise from chronic intestinal yeast infection. The yeast connection to chronic disease was first described by C. Orion Truss, MD, in his journal articles in the 1970s and in his 1983 book The Missing Diagnosis. Dr. Crook always gave Dr. Truss credit for discovering this yeast-related disorder.

He said, she is doing everything right and all the symptoms she is having is normal. In light of all of this I am persevering. I wanted to write this update in case anyone might find us here, and give some additional tips I found here and there on the Internet, and some I didn't find. I know its a really hard, very trying time, and even with all the support online, docs, and health experts somehow you still need the reassurance that what your doing is working. It is, and it will so persevere!!!!. Now I did take a different approach and for one month I gently took myself off certain things and started a gentle detox, like increase greens, eliminate most sugar but still ate some berries, etc. Then I went full detox. I didn't want to shock my body after years of abuse. I'm also 110lbs so I wanted to maintain my weight. Since the first month I have continued to get better. I haven't had night sweats, no breakouts, no cysts, my fatigue has dissipated unless I am in "die-off", I'm regular, and my depression has left me completely! I know I have many months ahead of me, but some notes to those who really want to do this. 

My test results came back pretty bad, liver is in really bad condition, intestinal wall has a hole and toxins are running through my blood stream, my intestines are overrun with this yeast, my thyroid is really bad, I'm lacking many vitamins in my system. I'm really tired most of the time, and scared. Really scared, and sad most of the time.

All I can say is pack these essentials in your home!

15 MUST HAVES FOR STARTING THE CANDIDA DIET

1. Time off and money: If you have any vacation days, savings, parents that are close by, an understanding husband, see if its at all possible to take some time off. Getting prepared will take some time. If you can't, understand that your going to need to spend all the time you have learning to cook or cooking differently, and its going to financially set you back a bit. Its very expensive for groceries as everything has to be organic, and cooked or raw. I know this sounds discouraging, but please understand if you don't take care of this now, its going to land you in the hospital with bills of unimaginable heights and some things you may never be able to overcome. 

2. Print pages from this site and stick it on your fridge:

www.thecandidadiet.com

3. Pumpkin Muffins, or Brown Rice Muffins:

will save you through this diet and they aren't hard to make. They will curb the craving for bread if your A. Italian like me, and B. love bread and butter..he, he

2/3 cup flax gel, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup vegetable glycerin, 1 cup pumpkin, 1/4 cup coconut oil, 1/2 tsp vitamin c crystals, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp allspice, 1 tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp cloves, 2 cups quinoa flour

Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix all your ingredients together except for the flour, then add that last after the rest is well blended. Grease muffin tin with coconut oil. Bake for approx 18 min. This will make 12 muffins. 

Here is a recipe that Fiore's fiance created for her to help curb her carb cravings on the Candida (no carb) diet. They were super yummy and can easily be modified by adding fruit to them (Candida dieters, month 1 No fruit, you can ease into blueberries-very low sugar content after 3-6 months). If you have a grain mill you can mill the rice yourself!

CINNAMON MUFFIN RECIPE

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

2. Place muffin cups into the muffin pan, (or if no muffin cups, lightly grease a muffin pan with Organic Horizon Unsalted butter)

3. Then place these ingredients into the mixer or blender if you don't have mixer.

3/4 Cup Almond Milk

1/2 Cup Brown Rice Syrup

2 Organic Brown Eggs

1/2 Cup Olive Oil Extra Virgin Cold Pressed

1 and 1/2 Cups Bobs Creamy Brown Rice Farina Hot Cereal

1 and 1/4 Cup Brown Rice Flour

2 Teaspoons of Rumford Aluminum Free Baking Powder

1/2 Teaspoons Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon sea salt

2 Teaspoons of Organic Cinnamon


4. Blend all these ingredients on high for 2-3 minutes and be sure that all the dry ingredients are all mixed up off the sides of the blender.

5. Once the mixture is made, pour the muffin batter into the muffin cups. Fill muffin cups to about a quarter of an inch from the top of the muffin cup. (about half the size of your pinky nail)

6. Sprinkle cinnamon on the tops of the muffins - or - if you want fruit (raisins, apples, blueberries, etc), add some into the muffins at this point.

7. Sprinkle a little xylitol on top of the muffins.

8. If using muffin baking cups:
Place muffins into the oven and bake at 350 degrees, set timer for 25 minutes.

8. If no muffin cups:
Place muffins into oven and and bake at 350 degrees, set timer for 23 minutes.

Enjoy!

4. ALMOND BUTTER: 

Almond Butter will also save you! OMG. But get the almond butter from Whole Foods that's fresh, its better then the butter in a jar. You can make a fresh batch of this and munch on it with celery, rice cakes(plain, gluten free, salt free, brown rice cakes..in moderation) YUM! Will curve your sweet cravings. 

5. SALADS!

They are inexpensive and totally perfect for quick, on the go, need a meal fixes. You can do anything with a salad, but make sure you get a spray bottle and fill it with apple cider vinegar to spray down your veggies. I thought about this when this lady with long unmanicured nails started groping my vegetables while removing them from my bag to separate them for inventory sake(sometimes you can't afford Whole Foods, so you get what you pay for,he, he.. Then I read that you should be doing this anyway..He, he.. GROSS. Anyway, you can put your fish of choice in them, put some eggs to the side, experiment with different veggies. Take a fresh lemon and put it on top for your dressing. Just lemon!

6. Naturopathic: They have healthy answers to everything: If you get an infection seek a naturopathic. NO OVER THE COUNTERS, NO ANTIBIOTICS. REMEMBER THIS CONDITION IS CAUSED BY ANTIBIOTICS!!!! you don't need them. I know its hard. I always took the pill from the doctor and in 2 days it was gone, but really you don't need to hurt your body. Those pills are only going to hurt you in the long run and your infection will shortly return.  There are many natural things you can do, but if your a bit of a pre-madonna like me you won't like sticking things in places that don't belong. There is an amazing product called Quell-Fire from Kan Herbals. If your also like me and have never experienced Serious inflammation but have had many infections. The inflammation is normal. Its your bodies way of protecting your vital organs while the candida tries to fight to stay alive. This stuff works and will reduce the inflammation and infection is a couple of days. thank you Sigal (you saved me!) http://aplaceofwellness.com/

7. Probiotics: I used these from day one. Make sure they have Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium and are non dairy if you have dairy allergies like me. I use the Intestinal Care DF and it comes in a Blue bottle. But be careful. I started with a very small dosage probiotic before going to this one. If your body is really unhealthy like mine was you will experience major symptoms in the bathroom. Start light with like 1 billion. If you want to go higher, take it in stages. You will know if its working when you start to get more regular. At first I was almost in shock, now I'm fine

8. Get a heating pad: When you experience cramps, back ache, neck ache, face pain, you name it your going to go through it, then it will be gone!!! this is your body ridding itself of the candida. You will need a heating pad. Try not to take over the counters. Try to teach yourself healthier better ways. Herbs, herbs, herbs. I got caught without a heating pad and my boyfriend woke in the middle of the night to make me a large zip lock bag, wet towel and paper towel soaked in water, that he put in the microwave, that got me through the night! 

9. Cotton undergarments: Oh man this was a hard one for me. Everything I own is lace. I know this is getting a little personal, but you have to do it girls. You can still go sexy but make sure its 100% cotton and sexy. Victoria Secrets is a tough sell on this one, but they do have some items. Macy's is a good one, they have options. Watch out for the spandex and fibers, not good, even when they say the lining is cotton. Still no good. I will get back to you if I find any other options and brands. 

10. Peppermint Tea: You will need this for the nausea, its going to get intense and this will save you. 

11. Vitamin C crystals 1000 mgs a day: You will need this to keep up your immune system. There are also herbs from your naturopathic that can help you as well

12. Lemons and Extra Virgin all natural Cold pressed, Olive Oil: Use these things on as many things as you can in place of other toppings!

13: Coconut Oil (organic, extra virgin, unrefined, cold pressed): You can use this as a mouthwash in the morning, the longer you swish it will become a liquid, but don't swallow it, its full of toxins... this will help with the tongue if your experiencing antibiotic tongue, and use it on your lips for dry mouth. I've heard its good as lotion but its too greasy for me. But def. cook with it. It may speed up your die off so back off if your symptoms get too out of hand. Its a powerful anti fungal. 

14. Almond Milk: This is an excellent escape from Milk, but make sure its SUGAR FREE 

15. WATER: I saved the most important for last: you must drink alot of WATER< WATER< WATER. I like Qure and Smart Water but my doctor says Dasani is okay. This helps rid the body of toxins. If you have a weak liver like I do I also back that up with teas that help detoxify. But be careful and check with your naturopathic. Mixing things may not be good:)

From my diary 

STICKING WITH IT

FEBRUARY 2011

I've been away, because the symptoms have just been too hard to bear. I've experienced chills on a regular basis, infections of the lower regions time and time again, colds, flu, extreme nausea, headaches, muscle aches so bad I can hardly move, depression at its worst stages, psychosis, breakouts, cycts, skin infections, confusion, foggy mind, fatigue really bad etc etc. I've moved to a warmer climate. The city was much too difficult to withstand this storm. I've been writing alot of music but sitting to write about what I was experiencing just made it too real. My fiance is my only saving grace. God is with me every day as I go through this. I woke this morning and was frightened to see myself in the mirror- so thin. My body is making its changes and I can feel this sickness inside me. I'm so hungry all the time, but really I am not. I'm eating like crazy 4 large meals a day but I am so thin I'm concerned I will never put on the weight again. Sometimes I can feel the yeast die inside my intestines, it causes this unbearable nausea I feel like my stomach is going to explode. It leaves me crying on the bed, and rushing constantly to the bathroom. My fiance rubs my head and puts a cold cloth on my neck. His voice gives me comfort. Thats very soothing. This is a weekly occurrence. Its been a year now, and I have some really good weeks, months are few and far between to keep consistently well, but when its bad its really bad. Dr. Says my immune system is really down, so I'm doing everything I can to keep my immune system up. I read the bible a lot more now. My friends look at me like they want to say I'm not looking well, but they don't, they just help me through. This has certainly taken a toll on my liver, so I am meditating on my liver that it will be healthy again. Sometimes the muscle cramps and pain leaves me unable to walk, so I am sitting a lot in solace.  I know there is reason for it all. Its definitely encouraged a side of myself I lack..patience. I watch healthy runners pass me by as I sit by the water feeling helpless...they look so strong and full of life. I feel as if life has been taken from me. I know I can get through this, I just know if I persevere I can do this. They say once the liver reaches a certain stage its hard for it to recover. Because this is so widespread in the body, it will take me many moons to get healthy again. I am persistent, and although my liver is close to failure I know with a strong mind, good organic food, and love I can overcome this... I will have to write back later...

What Causes Candida to get out of control?

A healthy immune system keeps Candida in balance with the other micro organisms in the mucous membranes but under certain conditions it begins to overgrow and get out of control. The causes of immune system dysfunction are varied and complex, but antibiotics are the biggest culprits because they wipe out friendly micro organisms, in the digestive system. Because Candida is resistant to antibiotics the imbalance of micro organisms allows it to take over. It begins to change its shape and starts to overgrow; raising large families called colonies.

These colonies excrete toxins that circulate throughout the body further weakening the immune system and creating havoc throughout the body. The Candida produces very long root-like structures that penetrate intestinal walls leaving microscopic holes which allows toxins, undigested food particles, bacteria and yeast to enter the bloodstream. This condition is known as the “Leaky Gut Syndrome”, which causes food allergies and many health problems. These root-like structures also causes considerable damage to the walls of the intestines resulting in malabsorption of nutrients.

Adding to the problem of malabsorption are nutritional deficiencies that also weaken the immune system. Today’s standard diet lacks the necessary nutrients to maintain a healthy immune system. It is loaded with sugar, carbohydrates, hydrogenated oils and fats (trans-fats), white flour products, processed foods, food additives, preservatives, pesticides, and heavy metals. This, in addition to foods being irradiated (exposed to high levels of radiation to extend shelf life), and being grown in nutrient depleted soil, long storage and transportation time, and improper handling, cooking and microwaving that goes on in most homes, further depletes nutrients available. All of these factors contribute to a weakened immune system.

Candida causes many health problems and symptoms including allergies, fatigue, headaches, digestive disorders, vaginitis, arthritis, muscle weakness, joint pain, nasal congestion, pain or tightness in the chest, blurred vision, ear problems, hypoglycemia, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, foggy thinking, loss of memory and a host of other ailments.

The Candida Control Program

In order to get Candida overgrowth under control four things need to be done simultaneously:

1. Eliminate foods that feed Candida
2. Build up the immune system
3. Kill off Candida overgrowth
4. Plant good bacteria in the digestive tract

1. Eliminate foods that feed Candida

Candida overgrowth is mainly fuelled by:

• sugar
• refined carbohydrates
• gluten grains
  www.earthclinic.com

From my diary 

FINDING ME AGAIN

OCTOBER 2011

I remember the morning like it was yesterday. Call me crazy but I could literally feel myself again. I have been meditating on my liver, focussing on its recovery. I've been successfully building new recipes on the diet, and my body is gradually starting to respond. This morning was a pivotal moment in my recovery! The majority of the symptoms have left me now. I feel alive and refreshed!!! Thank you God!! I'm going to get my blood work today. I just know this is it! I walked 20 steps to the ocean this morning and I said a prayer overlooking the rocks. The leaves dropped from the trees as I passed through. I wrote a magical song, and I'm feeling so much better!!! 

I've gained most of the weight back, I'm at 110 now which is great, my skin has cleared and my muscle cramps have left. I have so much energy, I feel like running, but I won't. I'll take it easy... My eyes are crystal clear and its as if I have awaken from a bad dream. I can see again! My stomach feels good. I think I can go back to Yoga now. I'll let you know how it goes. 

An important chart to keep in mind with the diet that really helped. Of course you know the do's and don'ts of the candida diet, but something to keep in mind when thinking about acidic foods as typically with candida we have high acidic content in our stomachs. 

Oh yah and we have a recipe for Pizza now. I'll be back...