Category Archives: Yeast Infection Diagnosis

Questions & Answers, Yeast Infection Diagnosis

Candida is Often Misdiagnosed as IBS

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I have worked in conjunction with medical practitioners on and off for many years and, when required, have referred patients with chronic gastrointestinal distress to gastroenterologists for an initial bowel screen to rule out anything obvious, such as a polyp, stricture, prolapse, diverticulitis, hemorrhoid or possibly even bowel cancer.

All too often, though, the person would come back with the diagnosis of NAD (no abnormal diagnosis) – nothing abnormal, no diseases, just “irritable bowel syndrome” (IBS), and the recommendation that they should make dietary changes, increase fiber in their diet and use psyllium hulls. In most such instances, these changes brought the patient very little relief.

One of my favourite writers is Dr. Liz Lipsky Ph.D, author of “Digestive Wellness”, Liz states that in irritable bowel syndrome, there are four main causes:

1. Infection (yeasts, bacteria, parasites)
2. Lactose
3. Food allergies and food intolerances
4. Stress

I once heard Dr. Alan Gaby say (past-president of the American Holistic Medical Association) that he calls irritable bowel syndrome a “garbage can diagnosis”; and that most medical doctors just go and dump people in there when they can’t figure their health problems out, and hope that somebody else will collect them and take them and their health problems away with them. It doesn’t sound very nice, and I can assure you that not all doctors would do this, but the reality for many practitioners when faced with a patient who has IBS is to simply refer them on or to prescribe them a drug after a ten minute consultation.

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This is very much like a patient who presents to a doctor with a pain in her behind which eventually turns out to be a thumbtack, and the doctor calls it “thumb tack disease” and promptly prescribes paracetamol for this painful disease with no known cause. Why don’t we get the patient to pull that thumb tack out of her behind by figuring out where she sat down at the time of the thumb tack problem?

My concerns are that some practitioners who are consulted by patients with digestive disorders have little or no understanding, nor training, in functional digestive complaints such as candida albicans, food allergies, leaky gut syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome. “You have nothing wrong with your digestive system that we can find” is what is typically said to the patient. Candida is a condition often caused by antibiotics – some of the most common drugs prescribed by medical practitioners.

I have several medical colleagues in both Australia and New Zealand who now can recognize and treat candida effectively, but unfortunately this number is only a fraction in comparison to the many orthodox medical doctors who believe that anything but orthodox Western medicine is absolute quackery.

You have to be the judge of this yourself, but it has always been my belief as a naturopath that it makes good sense to make the correct lifestyle and diet changes first, which assist in the healing of your digestive system well before opting for any drugs or surgery. In other words, the cause needs to be addressed.

Having worked in different medical and natural medicine clinics over the years, I have had the opportunity first hand to observe many chronically sick patients, and most have had some degree of dysbiosis and/or candida yeast infections.

The candida yeast infection was not always the primary cause of their chronic ill health; rather it came along and developed in a stressed digestive system, as part of their lowered resistance, and had likely contributed in some way to the very illness itself. I have found that by working with the chronically sick patient and helping them improve their gut function, it is possible to turn the case around, but it can become difficult when there is a diagnosable condition, particularly sophisticated pathology.

If the irritable bowel disease has not been treated satisfactorily in the first place, then it may actually be of an advantage to me, because the patient and doctor have no clear approach to adopt to alleviate the patient’s health issues, and in case a patient has not reacted effectively to any prior treatment, they may well be significantly more ready to accept making alterations to their diet and lifestyle, to see if their health can change for the better. The more compromised their digestive health and affected their lifestyle has become, the higher the degree of motivation they will have to want to make the right changes and the better the compliance will be. In the event the examination is clear-cut but, then in some cases the affected person could possibly be interested in solely dealing with the symptoms of the ailment alone, instead of focusing on any underlying causes.

The drawback, unfortunately, is that the longer a person has been unwell with IBS, the greater the chance that some other pathology (disease) will develop, and often silently in the background. It may take much longer to achieve that turn-around to great health the person is looking for, and when this is the case, compliance will not be that great and drugs and surgery may be a better option, especially if a great deal of pain or pathology is present.

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Not what you expected me to say, but patients want to have a full range of options open to them if they are really sick, and they should too. That’s what integrative medicine should be all about, the best of both worlds.

Yeast Infection Diagnosis

Science has Proven the Existence of Systemic Candida

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While gastrointestinal candidiasis has long been acknowledged as a fact, systemic candidiasis has been a subject of controversy for more than thirty years, particularly since most of the books on candida have been launched in the early to mid eighties.

Candida albicans has only been considered a serious organism by the medical profession in those who are severely immune compromised, such as leukemia patients, those with AIDS, people undergoing chemotherapy, radiation or those being treated with immune-suppressive drugs.

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In particular, ever since Dr. Orion Truss published his book “The Missing Diagnosis” in 1983, followed by Dr. William Crook’s book “The Yeast Connection” in 1984, a controversy has raged in both the scientific circles and the media regarding the ability of gastrointestinal candidiasis to cause systemic yeast infection.

Interestingly, a *study was published in 1969 in Lancet, the prestigious medical journal, which demonstrated that candida albicans is perfectly capable of escaping from a human being’s gastrointestinal tract and trans-locating into the person’s bloodstream within literally hours.

The researcher, W. Krause, was first tested and examined to the satisfaction of his medical peers to exclude any digestive, immune, and respiratory or kidney diseases and had not used any antibiotics in the previous ten years. He was thoroughly tested to eliminate any possibility that had any pre-existing yeast infection. He then ingested a significantly large dose of candida albicans orally (1012). That is an incredible 10,000,000,000,000 candida albicans organisms!

Within two hours of swallowing candida albicans, he developed a fever, a headache and was shivering. Incredibly, candida albicans was cultured from a blood sample taken at 3 and 6 hours after ingestion. Candida was also cultured from urine samples taken from the same person at 2 ¾ and 3 ¼ hours after the ingestion of candida.

This study, although performed in 1969, clearly demonstrates that gastrointestinal candidiasis can shift from the digestive system into the bloodstream in a non immune-compromised host.

*Krause W, Matheis H, Wulf K, Fungaemia and funguria after oral administration of Candida albicans, Lancet 1969; 1:598 -599.

These and many more underlying factors can transform candida, which is commonly found but kept under control by beneficial bacteria, from its docile state into that of a predator.

Some of the most common risk factors associated with Western medicine include ulcer medications, corticosteroids, immune-suppressive drugs, intravenous drugs, prolonged hospital stays, broad spectrum antibiotics, diabetes, intravascular catheters, and oral contraception.

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While science has proven the existence of systemic Candida, there are still plenty of doctors who don’t believe it can chronically impact the lives of the masses. They’re generally only willing to recognize a problem in those who have been impacted by HIV, AIDS, chemotherapy, and other life-threatening immune conditions. It’s important for you to do your own homework and ask the right questions, no matter what type of doctor you see.

Yeast Infection Diagnosis, Yeast Infection Testing

Test Results Should Never Be Considered Exclusively

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Remember, it is more important in the end to consider the patient rather than purely the test results, and this is where some practitioners potentially get confused in my opinion. They believe that it’s all about the test results rather than the patient. But what if the results are incorrect or the integrity of the sample was compromised? I have seen this on numerous occasions when I have been asked to assist in interpreting results for a practitioner.

For example, with a hair analysis the patient submitted colored or dyed hair. With a food allergy test (blood), the patient was taking an antibiotic right up until the blood was drawn or omitted every single food they believed they had an allergy so that the results wouldn’t show them. With a stool test the patient was taking probiotics during the test. The examples go on and on.

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I worked alongside a British medical doctor in Australia some years ago who taught me a valuable lesson. This doctor had some of the best clinical skills of any doctor I have ever worked with. His bedside manner was impeccable and so was his ability to diagnose a patient. He always used to say that one should never get “paralysis from analysis” and not to rely a great deal on any test results in order to treat a patient.

To demonstrate this point, Neil would regularly have his practice nurse draw blood from a patient and then send the blood samples from exactly the same person to two separate laboratories and, much to my surprise, the results that came back were different. This occurred on more than one occasion. The blood was the same, from the same patient, yet the results were different! I asked the doctor how this could be, and he said that there are many potential weak links in the testing chain, but the most common are:

  • If urine or stool was collected by the patient, how it was collected and handled.
  • How the sample was drawn and handled by the nurse at the doctor’s end.
  • The time and distance the sample travelled to the lab from the medical centre, and under what conditions the sample travelled in.
  • The handling of the sample by the nurse and in the laboratory.
  • The actual laboratory assay of the sample, i.e.; how they got the results.
  • The actual experience the lab technician (or perhaps the lack of).
  • The fact that some results belong to an incorrect patient; sad, but it happens.

The bottom line is not to rely exclusively on any test result. There are just too many variables why the test results may not be quite perfect but rather form a reasonably good guideline as to where to go as far as treatment is concerned. The other point I’d like to make is that the first test results obtained form a yardstick or baseline to compare subsequent results to.

I have found in some cases that a patient will come back in several years showing a similar result to those she originally presented with, a confirmation perhaps that the treatment was not vigorous enough initially or that she didn’t commit to the changes recommended to her diet and lifestyle.

In my next few posts I’m going to tell you of the different functional tests that are available to you to assess your yeast infection diagnosis as well as the advantages and disadvantages of these tests. I have used them all in my clinic for many years, and you may be familiar with some of these tests and not so familiar with others.

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Female Yeast Infection Diagnosis, Vaginal Yeast Infections

Do I Have A Vaginal Yeast Infection Or Is It Something Else?

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beauty woman face

I’ve seen many women over the years who complain of itching, thrush and discharge. Many are uncertain when it comes to understanding exactly what it is they have, and for those women they will find this a useful post. Vaginal thrush infections are caused by yeast infections, Candida vaginal yeast infections are the most common cause of vaginitis and are a cause of huge irritation and inconvenience for many women. Symptoms are itching in the groin area and in and around the vagina especially. Increased discharge is not necessarily present in this condition.

Remember, you are most likely at risk of developing candida fungal vaginal infections (thrush) increases if you:

  • Have diabetes.
  • Are pregnant.
  • Habitually use an antibiotic.
  • Take the oral contraceptive pill.
  • Have a defective immune system.

These are some of the most likely causes, and they may lead you straight into a diagnosis of a vaginal yeast infection. A vaginal yeast infection is almost always caused by a change in the vagina’s acid balance, which leads to an increase in yeast and an over growth. Yeast infections are often seen after a person takes antibiotics. Sometimes however, there may not be an obvious reason as to why a woman has developed a thrush infection. Diagnosis is straightforward however and can be confirmed by taking a swab from the vagina. Conventional treatment is either with pessaries (tablets in the vagina) or tablets by mouth. However could it be vaginal yeast infection or perhaps is it another thing? In just a moment we will look at a chart I put together which outlines the different kinds of vaginal problems you are most likely to experience, and their typical signs and symptoms.

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Suppressive Treatments Don’t Cure Vaginal Yeast Infections

Your doctor may prescribe topical therapies, and the first application may cause burning as you place a cream or vaginal suppository into your vagina. This mode of treatment is very effective and using these conventional methods cures seventy to ninety percent of thrush. But is it really cured, or has this form of treatment just suppressed the yeast because the cause was never addressed?

My belief is that this form of treatment is very suppressive indeed, i.e.; the condition is driven back into the body and because the causes remain untreated and thrush may recur at anytime. I tend to find that many women with endometriosis (and many other chronic “women’s problems”) can relate to having treated their vaginal yeast infection many years ago just like this, with local vaginal treatment and antibiotics, and believe they have “cured” it, only to discover in time that they are diagnosed with endometriosis or some other chronic women’s problem.

The Whole Person Needs Treatment And Not Just Their Vagina

I’ve found from experience that an imbalance in the vaginal micro flora is most always indicative of a similar imbalance in a woman’s digestive tract and further afield. Therefore, when a patient presents to my clinic with a recurrent vaginal yeast infection I always recommend that she follow the entire Candida Crusher Program. If the vaginal is acute and not a recurrent problem however, an isolated instance can effectively be treated locally as I describe below without having to resort to systemic (diet and lifestyle) treatment. But if the problem resurfaces or is chronic, then the Candida Crusher Program is best followed for a complete resolution thrush of the thrush.

But What If It Is Not Vaginal Thrush, What Then?

Here are five other presentations besides vaginal thrush, and it is important that you know what you are dealing with before you commence treatment. As usual, it is always best to seek the help of your doctor when it comes to diagnosis, once a firm diagnosis is made and you know what you are dealing with you will be able to know how to treat it.

1 – Trichomoniasis

Sometimes called “trich”, trichomoniasis is different from the other complaints in that a small organism called a flagellate causes it. It is common to experience an abundant greenish-yellow discharge, an itching which can range from mild to extremely intense and even a strong burning sensation or pain in the vagina. Diagnosis is performed by analyzing a swab of the discharge. Treatment is generally a short course of (strong) antibiotics, after which I recommend to take a powerful probiotic product for four to six weeks thereafter.

2 – Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

This condition is known as gardnerella vaginalis, and is caused by the growth of bacteria that causes the acidity of the vagina to become much more alkaline. Contributing factors are poor hygiene, poor health in general, birth-control IUD use, and in particular the transferring of E.coli bacteria from the rectal area to the vagina due to poor hygiene or sex.

The abundant alkalinity with this condition causes a fishy or brine-like smell and a grey foamy discharge. Diagnosis is carried out once again by analyzing a swab from the discharge, and the treatment is once again a short course of antibiotics.

Bacterial vaginosis is one of three common types of vaginitis (BV, vaginal yeast infection and trichomoniasis), and possibly the most common vaginal infection. Maybe you thought that vaginal yeast infections are the most common vaginal infection, well they are not, because BV is in fact the most common. A link between BV and low levels of vitamin D was discovered in June 2009 and reported by The Journal of Nutrition in The New York Times. My advice is to have a blood test for vitamin D and see what your levels are, you may be quite surprised to know that most of the population are borderline to low in the crucial immune boosting fat-soluble vitamin. Ensure good hygiene with sex, because many cases come from not enough care taken during sex.

3 – Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is an STD (sexually transmitted disease) that is caused by the gonococcus bacteria. You can have gonorrhea without experiencing any symptoms, but some people experience burning pain when urinating. However, gonorrhea is rarely seen these days. Diagnosis is confirmed by analyzing a swab from the cervix, urethra (entrance to the bladder) or back passage. Treatment is with very powerful antibiotics. Sexual partners also need to be traced, screened for gonorrhea and in addition diagnosed accordingly.

4 – Chlamydia

Chlamydia is likewise a sexually transmitted disease and is an unusual cause of vaginitis, because infection often does not produce symptoms unless pelvic inflammatory disease is present. Diagnosis is made by analyzing a sample taken from the cervix or the urethra. Treatment is with antibiotics. Sexual partners should be traced, tested and treated.

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5 – Genital Herpes

Genital herpes (Herpes type 2) is caused by the herpes simplex virus and is almost in all cases a sexually transmitted disease. It is possible to infect the genital area with the virus via contact with a cold sore (herpes type 1, part of the same family). Herpes is seen at the entrance to the vagina as small blisters. The first time a person has herpes, it is common for them to develop a fever, and night sweats may occur, swollen lymph nodes in the groin on the affected side, general discomfort is experienced, urination is painful, and the lips and entrance to the vagina may become swollen and red.

Eventually the herpes infection settles down, and the person experiences flare-ups ranging from very occasionally to very rarely. The skin in the affected area will become more sensitive and signal an imminent case of herpes.

A tingling sensation can be felt and then the blisters may appear which can itch intensely, and may even create a burning sensation if ruptured. It is in the herpes sufferer’s best interests to discover how to improve their health to the point where they rarely experience these flare-ups. In conventional medicine, a diagnosis is made by a doctor based on the appearance and with special swabs sent for analysis. Antiviral treatment is often recommended, but you will find in this case that natural medicine has a lot to offer this patient. In case you have herpes virus, particularly if it’s acute, I personally recommend a course of natural medication solution for at a minimum six to twelve months, simply because, doctors view herpes infections as “incurable” disease requiring a lifetime of drugs in order to suppress the symptoms.