House Call Newsletter: Health News You Can Use

Candida? EEKS! Do you have it?
Vol. 8.1.7

No need to be alarmed! But reason to be concerned! About 100 million Americans suffer with Candida overgrowth.

Symptoms like fatigue, depression, weight gain, difficulty focusing,irritability, constipation, bloating, and many others can be caused by an overgrowth of Candida.

Candida albicans is a yeast found in our bodies.

Normally it doesn't hurt us because it is kept in check by friendly bacteria like acidophilus.

But these good-guy bacteria can be killed by birth control pills, antibiotics, steroids or cortisone drugs, extreme stress, poor diet, and chlorinated water.

If this happens, Candida grows out of control. The excess Candida releases toxins in your blood which make you sick. This is the reason for concern!

How do you know if this is happening in your body?

Take the Candida survey and learn what to do about it!

Candida Survey

Answer yes or no to the following questions.

Have you:

Taken antibiotics for over one month?
Taken antibiotics on at least 6 occasions in your life?
Taken prednisone, cortisone, ACTH, or other steroids?
Taken drugs to suppress the immune system?
Drank chlorinated tap water (includes tap water from municipal water system) on a regular basis?
Been treated with chemotherapy?
Suffered with HIV, AIDS, or other immune suppressing illness?
Been diagnosed with any form of diabetes?
Been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, MS, muscular dystrophy, etc?
Been pregnant more than once?

Have you had:

Whitish vaginal discharge or irritation?
More than 3 vaginal yeast infections?
Bladder infections?
Prostate infections?
Blurry vision, floaters or spots in the eyes?
Impotence or decreased sexual desires?
Endometriosis?
Oral thrush - white, yellow, or cream coating or spots in the mouth, tongue, and throat?
Althlete's foot, groin itching, or nail/skin fungal infections?
High sensitivity to chemical fumes, perfume, tobacco smoke?
Cravings for sugar, chocolate, ice cream, cookies, cakes, pies, breads, or pastas?
Light-headed feelings after eating sugar or other simple carbohydrates?

Have you had any of these other symptoms including:

Abdominal distention or bloating?
Clothes fitting tighter at the end of the day?
Diarrhea and/or constipation?
PMS, menstrual cramps or pain?
Fatigue, lethargy, poor memory?
Mood swings, feeling "spaced out"?
Cravings for cheeses, vinegars, or alcohol?
Unaccountable muscle aches, tingling, or numbness?
Burning, swollen, aching joints?

If you answered yes to 3 or more of these questions, you may have a health challenge that involves fungal yeast overgrowth or Candida albicans. What do you do now?

A simple blood test can be done to see if you have Candida albicans. Also, Candida is treated with a combination of probiotics (the good-guy bacteria), diet, enzymes, and a few other things.

Call my office today at 480-993-8249 or your own local naturopathic doctor if you suspect Candida may be hurting your health!

To Your Optimal Health,
Copyright © 2008 Melissa M. Dawahare, ND, PLLC. All Rights Reserved.