If you caught the first blog in my Candida Series (Good Yeast, Bad Yeast), then you know that yeast is a naturally occurring fungus found in the body. It lives in small amounts in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and vaginal tract. Usually it aids with digestion and nutrient absorption, when you have a good balance of bacteria in your gut, but it can get out of control and cause some pretty annoying (and even serious!) health issues.

Yeast infections can occur in the mouth, esophagus, vagina, on the skin or in the bloodstream, and there are various causes:

1. A poor diet can make it easy for yeast to thrive
2. Yeast LOVES sugar, refined carbohydrates and processed foods
3. Excessive amounts of alcohol 
4. Medications
5. Antibiotics - Though they help kill off infection, antibiotics often kill a significant amount of good gut bacteria, too.
6. Mother-to-fetus - If the mother takes an antibiotic during pregnancy, or had a yeast infection herself, it affects the development of the fetus’ microbiome. You could be predisposed to yeast problems due to what your mother did or didn’t do while pregnant with you.
7. Steroids - Can weaken your immune system, opening the gateway for opportunistic infections (like yeast!).
8. Antacids - You need enough acid in your gut to kill the bad stuff. If you take antacids on a regular basis, you are lessing the amount of acid that can help fight yeast.
9. Oral contraceptives - Yeast LOVES estrogen, and birth control contains extra estrogen to keep your systems in check.
10. Stress - A high-stress lifestyle can wear your body down (HPA-D) and provide a great place for infections (like yeast!) to take up host.
    

So now you know some of the major players in the yeast infection game, and you are exhibiting some of the classic symptoms, it’s time to get you checked out. If you’ve never had a yeast infection before, you can probably go to the regular doc and get a prescription. However, if you’ve seen the regular doc many times for yeast issues, contact me immediately. You clearly have something larger going on that what the regular doc can see on the surface, and I will help you get to the bottom of it.

Tests I will order for you: 

1. Blood test for IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies
2. In your immune system, high levels indicate an infection. However, low levels could mean your immune system is suppressed and your body cannot mount a response.
3. In your blood, high levels indicate candida overgrowth.
4. CBC (Complete Blood Count) - I frequently see a pattern of low White Blood Count (WBC), high neutrophils and low lymphocytes in clients with a yeast overgrowth.
5. GI Map - A comprehensive stool test that will check for Candida in your large intestine and can usually identify the type of yeast present.
6. Urine organix dysbiosis test - looks for d-Arabinitol (the Candida waste product). High levels indicate yeast overgrowth in the small intestine.

Once we have the results from the above tests, we can begin to create a health plan unique to your body and heal you. Click on the link to sign up for a Health Discovery Session and we’ll choose the right path for you.