“Systemic Yeast Infection”

A Systemic Yeast infection is at the far worst end of a spectrum of conditions resulting from an infection by the yeast-like fungal organism, Candida. Candida species are a normal part of the ecology of our body and, when we are healthy and the environment is optimal, the presence of Candida is not noticed, nor is it harmful to us.

Unfortunately, under certain conditions such as antibiotic use, stress and a lowered immune status, Candida can alter our normal ecology, take over parts of our body and become a Systemic Candida Infection, thus displacing the normal, healthy bacteria that Candida normally lives harmoniously with.

Mild and localized forms of Candida infections include localized Candida skin infections, Yeast Infections of the vagina, infections of the fingernails or toenails and, particularly in babies, “thrush” or localized mouth infections.

As mentioned, at the far end of the spectrum is a Systemic Yeast Infection, a condition in which the yeast species invades the deeper regions of our body and causes Candida symptoms. This can happen both as a result of an infection and as a result of secondary phenomena that happen in those with a Systemic Yeast Infection.

A Systemic Yeast Infection caused by Candida is also called an “opportunistic” infection, meaning that the organism is always present on or in the body and waits for the right opportunity or the right set of circumstances to take hold and cause disease.

A Systemic Yeast Infection can begin under several opportunistic conditions. First, there must exist circumstances that promote the growth of Candida such as having an immune deficiency disease, being an organ transplant recipient, AIDS, being on steroids like cortisone, being diabetic, living on a high sugar diet or taking antibiotics, especially more than one, for an extended period of time.

When the right circumstances exist for a Systemic Yeast Infection, our healthy bacteria that compete for space and nutrients with Candida are diminished. Candida, usually present in small numbers in our system is not affected by antibiotics. If our immune system doesn’t keep the Candida in check and/or if the intestinal environment is high in sugar, the conditions become favorable for a Systemic Yeast Infection.

The source of the Candida organism can actually be anywhere on the body. In hospitalized patients, the source is often from catheters, IVs and other devices that connect the inside of the body to the skin on the outside. Candida is given a direct route to enter the body at the site of the catheter, etc., and, depending on the conditions already discussed, the Candida is allowed to grow and become a Systemic Yeast Infection.

In otherwise normal people, a deep skin infection, a severe vaginal infection or thrush-like infection can cause a systemic yeast infection or blood-borne infection, particularly when the “host” conditions (our body environment), promote the establishment of a solid Systemic Candida overgrowth.

The vast majority of systemic yeast infections in non-hospitalized individuals, however, arise through an initial overgrowth of the organisms in the intestinal tract. Under conditions where the healthy bacteria have been eradicated or in those whose immune system just can’t handle the overgrowth, Candida species proliferate, invade the lining of the gut and “punch holes” in the lining, causing a destruction in the integrity of the intestinal wall.

This loss of normal bowel integrity is where the real systemic problems begin. Candida can invade the bloodstream, the liver and the urinary tract. The “leaky” bowel allows toxins, dangerous pathogenic organisms and products of food digestion to enter the body as well. The end result is stress on the liver, the development of food allergies, allergies to toxins and the possibility of Candida and bacteria forming pockets of infection anywhere inside the body resulting in a Systemic Yeast Infection.

The symptoms of a Systemic Yeast Infection are numerous and are often difficult for doctors to relate directly back to a Candida source:

The diagnosis of a Systemic Yeast Infection is difficult. Cultures of the blood turn up Candida less than half of the time, even in those with a documented case of Systemic Candidiasis. Positive cultures of local areas of involvement, such as the urine, vagina or skin, do not necessarily predict the presence of a Systemic Yeast Infection.

Stool cultures showing an elevated amount of Candida species is probably the best indicator of the probability of systemic involvement. Practically speaking, however, the diagnosis is best made by keeping in mind the cluster of possible Candida-related symptoms, by excluding other possibilities and by expecting a positive culture for Candida only in the luckiest of circumstances.

Those suspected or proven to have a Systemic Yeast Infection have several options for treatment. A hospitalized patient almost always receives a potent intravenous anti-fungal medicine as the mainstay of their treatment. This kind of patient is seriously ill and was usually quite ill before the Candida invaded their body. Many of these patients do not survive; a diagnosis of Systemic Candidiasis in a hospitalized patient carries a high mortality rate.

The traditional treatment for others afflicted with a Systemic Yeast Infection, a doctor may prescribe one of several oral anti-fungal agents. Therapy of this type may need to continue for several weeks in order for all of the infection to be cleared.

Again, the problem with this approach is that it never heals the underlying imbalance (dysbiosis) and you will be plagued with recurring yeast infections.

Following the Candida diet guidelines which is low in simple sugars and in foods containing flour (a minimally-complex carbohydrate). Herbal or nutritional therapies that have direct anti-fungal properties.

Nutritional support for the liver. Nutritional support for the immune system. In anyone undergoing treatment for a Systemic Yeast Infection, there may be an initial worsening of the symptoms as the Candida dies off and the toxins are released from the dead organisms.

In addition, the importance of recreating a healthy “ecological environment” inside the body, particularly inside the intestinal tract, cannot be overstated. Simply put, it is not enough to just “get rid of” the Candida.

The use of probiotics, healthy “replacement” bacteria, should strongly be considered in order to restore the intestinal tract to a healthier state. By using probiotics, the conditions that contributed to the development of Systemic Yeast Infection in the first place can be reversed.

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