Candidiasis is an infection caused by Candida albicans, an opportunistic yeast that lives in our gastrointestinal tracts, also known as the ‘gut’.

Now the gut contains over 100 trillion microbes, also known as the ‘gut microbiota’.

Candida albicans is but one species that normally lives in harmony with the rest of the microbes in the gut microbiota.

When something upsets the balance within the gut microbiota, Candida albicans can multiply and spread, invading and infecting tissues. This infection, called Candidiasis, can spread anywhere along the GI tract, as well as infect the skin. Issues such as dandruff, thrush, and vaginal yeast infections are often caused by Candidiasis. It can also cause rashes, as well as ear and sinus infections.

Many things can cause the microbiota in our gut to become unbalanced, such as medical conditions and/or treatments that cause immunosuppression (ie HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, corticosteroids, THC, and antibiotic therapy). Candida albicans also loves sugar. Too much sugar in the diet and/or high blood glucose (ie. Diabetes) can ‘feed’ the yeast, causing it to spread.

In severely immunocompromised individuals, the yeast can even cross into the bloodstream or organs causing life-threatening systemic infection. Even though anti-fungal drugs and special diets exist to treat Candidiasis, the infection can be difficult to get under control. Candida albicans can create biofilms that protect it from the body’s immune system and anti-fungal drugs, making it hard to kill.

And when Candida albicans does die it releases toxins into the body, which create inflammation. This is not a microbe that wants to go quietly.

Unfortunately, Candida albicans is a natural part of our gut and can’t be completely eliminated from the body, which makes managing Candida albicans a full-time job.

MY EXPERIENCE

Candidiasis first became a problem for me after I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I was prescribed the MS treatment Copaxone which supressed my immune system and upset the balance in my gut microbiota, causing Candidiasis to occur. As a result, I was plagued with vaginal yeast infections, rashes, facial dandruff, ear and sinus infections, and thrush. Unfortunately, over-the-counter treatments and anti-fungal drugs weren’t a lot of help.

As a woman with MS, Candidiasis became a serious cause for concern because, like many things, it causes inflammation. When I discovered that inflammation can cause MS relapses, with relapses being the worsening of current or creation of new MS symptoms, I knew I had to get a handle on my Candidiasis.

I got the best results preventing/managing outbreaks of Candidiasis by limiting my sugar and carb consumption, managing my Diabetes, and incorporating probiotic-rich items, such as Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother), Kefir, Greek Yogurt, and Miso, into my beneficial diet:

Xylitol has also been a handy sugar substitute. Not only does it not feed Candida albicans, it helps. prevent/fight outbreaks with its anti-fungal and anti-biofilm properties. Caution: For dogs, Xylitol is poisonous and consumption can result in severe hypoglycemia and liver failure.  So I’m careful how I store Xylitol, and food items containing Xylitol, if there are dogs in the house.

I also discovered that THC-Free CBD Oil has anti-fungal and anti-biofilm properties. When I started ingesting it, facial dandruff I’ve been struggling with for years started miraculously clearing up. It also helped speed up the healing of rashes.

Virgin Coconut Oil and Eliderm, a probiotic cream, have been very helpful healing and soothing rashes and facial dandruff, topically.

Staying Hydrated and taking Activated Charcoal have also helped flush out the toxins, released by dying Candida albicans.

So, managing my Candidiasis, and related toxins, helps manage inflammation.

And managing inflammation helps me manage my MS.

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I hope the information I’ve shared here is helpful.

-Jen, aka. Power Chair Dorothy

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REFERENCES

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Cavalheiro, M., & Teixeira, M. C. (2018). Candida Biofilms: Threats, Challenges, and Promising Strategies. Frontiers in Medicine, 5, 28.

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Rafiee Zadeh, A., Askari, M., Azadani, N. N., Ataei, A., Ghadimi, K., Tavoosi, N., & Falahatian, M. (2019). Mechanism and Adverse Effects of Multiple Sclerosis Drugs: A Review Article. Part 1. International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, 11(4), 95–104.

Rodrigues, C. F., Rodrigues, M. E., & Henriques, M. (2019). Candida sp. Infections in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(1), 76.

Singh, A., Verma, R., Murari, A., & Agrawal, A. (2014). Oral Candidiasis: An Overview. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, 18(Suppl 1), S81–S85.

Talattof, Z., Azad, A., Zahed, M., & Shahradnia, N. (2018). Antifungal Activity of Xylitol against Candida albicans: An in vitro Study. The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice, 19(2), 12.

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Not in Kansas Anymore (www.notinksanymore.com) is a site/blog authored and managed by Jen, aka. Power Chair Dorothy (pwrchr-dorothy). This site/blog is intended to provide educational and research information, and to share the author’s experiences.

The author of this site/blog is not a medical physician and this site/blog does not provide medical advice. This site/blog contains information that should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. If you choose to apply or implement any information posted at this site/blog, you do so at your own risk.