Naturopathic Approach for Candidiasis

What Is Candidiasis?

Candidiasis is the most common fungal infection caused by candida overgrowth and affects mucosal and deeper tissue. The mucosal tissues include the mouth, digestive tract, and vagina. Among these, vaginal candidiasis is a more prevalent infection among females. It is more common in immunocompromised patients and older age groups. It is often recurrent and difficult to treat.

Oral candidiasis is more common among adults and is usually a superficial infection. If candidiasis occurs in immunocompromised patients, the infection may spread to deeper tissues and be fatal. Candida species is a normal inhabitant of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, vagina, penis, and other body parts. It has two forms, yeast and hyphae. Hyphae forms are more infectious than yeast forms. Candida becomes pathogenic when there are favorable conditions. It can be effectively treated with naturopathic treatment.

What Are the Types of Candidiasis?

There are different types of candidiasis based on their location, including

• Vaginal Candidiasis: If the infection affects the vagina and is characterized by a burning sensation, itchiness, redness, and vaginal discharge.

• Cutaneous Candidiasis: if the fungal infection affects the skin, especially in folds of skin like underarms, under the breast, and buttocks, and is characterized by an elevated red patch with small itchy pustules.

• Oral Candidiasis (Oral Thrush): If the infection occurs in the mouth, throat, and esophagus.

• Candida Granuloma: it is a chronic fungal infection that affects the skin, scalp, mouth, or fingernails.

• Invasive Candidiasis (Systemic Candidiasis): If the infection occurs in the blood or organs like the heart's lining due to weak immunity. It can be life-threatening.

What Are the Causes of Candidiasis?

There are many causes of candidiasis, including

• Overuse of antibiotics.

• Steroids, oral contraceptives, and some cancer medications

• Overuse of antibiotics.

• Pregnancy.

• Obesity.

• Steroids, oral contraceptives, and some cancer medications.

• Menopause.

• Sexually transmitted from person to person.

• Immunocompromised patients with uncontrolled diabetes, HIV, cancer, etc.

• Stress.

• A diet containing more refined carbohydrates, sugar, or yeast.

• Newborns with low birth weight and elderly people.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Candidiasis?

There are numerous possible signs and symptoms, including

• Raised red patch on the skin with small pustules.

• White patch on the mouth.

• Abdominal bloating.

• Diarrhea or constipation.

• Sugar cravings.

• Heartburn.

• Burning sensation and itchiness in the vagina

• Vaginal discharge.

• Headache

• Muscle and joint pain.

• Poor concentration and memory.

• Fatigue.

• Recurrent ear infections.

• Depression and anxiety.

• Skin itchiness and rashes.

What Are the Conventional and Naturopathic Treatment Approaches for Candidiasis?

Conventional Treatment: The conventional treatment for candidiasis includes oral or topical anti-fungal medications like Fluconazole, Butoconazole, Clotrimazole, Miconazole, and Terconazole. The Candida albicans species alone respond to this treatment; the other drugs are usually resistant to these medications. It is advised to take probiotics along with this medication to counter the side effects.

Naturopathic Treatment: Naturopathic treatment includes

• Identify the cause, including poor diet, poor stress management, underlying systemic diseases like HIV, diabetes, etc., and any medications.

• Manage the symptoms using naturopathic treatments like herbal medicine, diet, nutrient supplements, acupuncture, and homeopathy.

• Boost immunity to prevent a recurrence using herbal medicines and nutritional supplements.

Management can be done using natural approaches by following the following steps:

1. Restore Intestinal Microflora: Intestinal microflora can be restored by taking proper nutrients, eating fruits and vegetables, and taking appropriate probiotics.

2. Improved Digestive Secretions: Digestive enzymes are increased to balance intestinal microflorae, thereby reducing candidal overgrowth.

3. Reduce Stress: Stress can be reduced by avoiding gadgets and alcohol and improving the environment for bedtime, thereby promoting sleep quality. Exercises like yoga, breathing techniques, and meditation can manage it.

4. Boost Immunity: Immunity can be improved by taking antioxidants, detoxifying the body, and improving thymus activity.

Diet: Dietary changes help reduce the risk of candidiasis.

• Avoid high sugar intake, refined carbohydrates, dairy products, and foods containing yeast and allergens. Blood tests are available to identify allergens that can cause allergic reactions.

• Eliminate foods containing allergens, thereby reducing inflammatory reactions and improving other symptoms like eczema, headaches, joint pain, etc.

• Intake of foods containing antifungal properties includes garlic, oregano, coconut oil, etc.

Nutrient Supplements: Appropriate doses and forms of nutrient supplements may help treat candidiasis.

• Caprylic Acid: Caprylic acid is the major component of coconut oil and has an antifungal property, inhibiting candida overgrowth.

• Goldenseal, Barberry, and Oregon Grape: These berberine-containing compounds act as immune boosters and have antibacterial properties against candida.

• Boric Acid: Boric acid can be used as an effective treatment and prevention of vaginal candidiasis with probiotics. It is advised in cases of resistance to anti-fungal medications. The side effects include a burning sensation that can be countered by vitamin E.

• Raw Garlic or Garlic Pills: Garlic is composed of allicin, which blocks lipid synthesis, thereby inhibiting candida growth. Garlic in stable form should be taken as an oral supplement. It is also available as a garlic pill.

• Enteric-Coated Volatile Oil Preparations: They may cause gastritis if they are not taken in the proper dose and form.

• Probiotics: Probiotics are live microorganisms like Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus that help reduce candida growth by inhibiting the colonization of candida species, especially in newborns with low birth weight, and also boost immunity, thereby controlling the candida overgrowth.

• Herbal Medicines: Certain herbs like Lawsonia inermis and Portulaca oleracea have efficient antifungal properties, thereby helping to reduce candida overgrowth

• Acupuncture: Acupuncture helps improve spleen and stomach function, restoring good intestinal microflora. For enhanced results, it can be used with some herbs and nutrient supplements with anti-fungal properties.

• Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy aids in eliminating the dead candida yeast cells and their toxic substances or products from the body through colonic irrigation, thereby reducing the risk of candidiasis.

Conclusion:

Candidiasis is a recurrent fungal infection caused by Candida species. Though candida is a normal inhabitant, it may cause an opportunistic infection when immunity weakens. This infection is usually resistant to conventional treatment as it easily develops resistant forms, so the natural way of approaching it, like herbs, nutrient supplements, acupuncture, etc., plays a major role in antifungal therapy.