How To Test Yourself For Candida

Some health care professionals believe that candida infects 89% of the US population.
Many Americans don't realize that candidiasis is caused by the overuse and abuse of antibiotics, steroids, NSAIDs and poor dietary habits. By simply following the standard of healthcare in our society and eating the standard American diet, you may be putting yourself at risk of recurrent candida yeast infections.

Candida overgrowth, in my professional opinion, is a result of the choices that our parents or we made regarding food and healthcare. Because of the "pop-a-pill for every symptom" approach to healthcare, fast food, processed food and high sugar diets in our culture, it has created the perfect opportunity for candida overgrowth. Unfortunately, once you've experienced a bout with the feisty yeast-like fungus, you are likely to continue to have many periodic infections if you continue the same habits that caused it in the first place.

Are You Bewildered by Your Symptoms?

Most people are aware of the most common manifestations of candida as yeast infection, jock itch, thrush, athlete's foot and ringworm. But what is not commonly known are all the other seemingly unrelated symptoms that are caused by candida, like chronic fatigue, food allergies, digestive problems, sexual dysfunction, constipation, headaches and the list goes on and on.

It's important to realize that candida albicans is an important part of the normal flora in the intestinal tract. It's only when it becomes overabundant due to dietary indiscretions, use of prescription and non prescription drugs or other situations that disturb the normal balance that it becomes a problem.

You may already have an idea whether you have a candida yeast infection, but to be sure you may want to be tested. Candida testing through your doctor is a complicated process. Here are two tests you can do at home yourself and get a pretty accurate idea as to whether you are experiencing a problem with candida overgrowth.

A Simple Test You Can Do at Home

First thing in the morning, before you put ANYTHING in your mouth, get a clear glass and fill with water. Work up a bit of saliva, then spit it into the glass of water.
Check the water after a moment or within 2-3 minutes, then within every 15 minutes.

If you have a candida yeast infection, you will see strings, like cloudy legs, traveling down into the water from the saliva floating on the top, or "cloudy" saliva will sink to the bottom of the glass, or cloudy specks will seem to be suspended in the water.

If there are no strings, the water is as clear as it was before adding your saliva and the saliva is still floating after at least one hour, you are probably candida yeast free. The more strings and cloudiness there is and the faster it develops, the greater the overgrowth.

The Candida Questionnaire

Answer the following questions in each of the three sections listed below to determine if you are likely to have candida overgrowth in your body. (This test is designed for adults.)

SECTION 1 - HEALTH HISTORY

For each yes answer, score yourself the number of points indicated to the left of each question.

* 25 - Have you taken tetracycline or other antibiotics for acne for one month or more?
* 20 - Have you taken broad-spectrum antibiotics for any infection for two months or longer, or shorter courses in a one-year period?
* 25 - Have you ever been bothered by persistent prostatitis, vaginitis or other problems affecting your reproductive organs?
* 3 - Have you been pregnant one time only?
* 5 - Have you been pregnant two or more times?
* 15 - Have you taken birth control pills two or more years?
* 8 - Have you taken birth control pills less than two years?
* 6 - Have you taken Prednisone or other cortisone-type drug for less than two weeks?
* 15 - Have you taken Prednisone or other cortisone-type drug for more than two weeks?
* 5 - Does exposure to fragrances, mall odors or chemicals provoke mild allergic symptoms?
* 20 - Does exposure to fragrances, mall odors or chemicals provoke moderate to severe allergic symptoms?
* 20 - Are these symptoms worse on damp, muggy days or in moldy places?
* 10 - Have you had athlete's foot, jock itch, ring worm, or chronic fungus infection of skin or nails? Mild to moderate?
* 20 - Have you had athlete's foot, jock itch, ring worm, or chronic fungus infection of skin or nails? Severe to persistent?
* 10 - Do you crave sugar?
* 10 - Do you crave bread?
* 10 - Do you crave alcoholic beverages?
* 10 - Does tobacco smoke bother you?

HEALTH HISTORY TOTAL

SECTION 2

Rate the following symptoms:
3 points - Occasional or mild
6 points - Frequent and/or moderately severe
9 points - Severe and/or disabling

Symptoms
* Fatigue or "feeling drained"
* Poor memory; feeling spacey or "unreal"
* Depression
* Numbness, burning or tingling
* Muscle aches, weakness or paralysis
* Pain and/or swelling joints
* Abdominal pain
* Bloating, constipation or diarrhea
* Persistent vaginal burning/itching
* Troublesome vaginal discharge
* Prostatitis
* Impotence or loss of sexual desire
* Endometriosis, PMS, menstrual irregularities, or other reproductive organ concerns
* Spots in front of the eyes; erratic vision

SECTION 2 TOTAL

SECTION 3

Rate these symptoms:
1 point - Occasional or mild
2 points - Frequent and/or moderately severe

Symptoms
* Frequent drowsiness
* Frequent irritability and/or jitteriness
* Frequent lack of coordination
* Frequent inability to concentrate
* Frequent mood swings (ups & downs)
* Frequent headaches
* Frequent dizziness/loss of balance
* Feeling of head swelling & tingling
* Frequent itching anywhere on body
* Frequent or persistent rashes
* Frequent heartburn and/or indigestion
* Belching, burping & intestinal gas
* Mucus in stools
* Hemorrhoids
* Frequent dry mouth
* Rash or blisters in/around mouth
* Bad breath
* Joint swelling or arthritis
* Nasal congestion, itching or discharge
* Postnasal drip
* Frequent sore or dry throat
* Frequent unexplained cough
* Pain or tightness in chest
* Wheezing or shortness of breath
* Urinary urgency or frequency
* Burning on urination
* Noticeably failing vision
* Recurrent infections or fluid in ears
* Ear pain or deafness

SECTION 3 TOTAL

ADD YOUR SCORES FOR ALL 3 SECTIONS

Your total score can help you determine if your health concerns are yeast related.

SCORE:
Women above 180 - Men above 140: almost certainly yeast related.
Women 121 to 180 - Men 91 to 140: probably yeast related.
Women: 60 to 120 - Men 40 to 90: possibly yeast related.
Below 60 for women and 40 for men probably not yeast related

Do these two tests at home and you will have a good indication as to whether you have a candida yeast/fungal overgrowth problem.

Although candida is difficult to manage and eliminate there are effective alternative treatments that restore the normal flora balance and rid the body of the overgrowth of candida albicans. But beware. There are numerous products on the market and many are ineffective, marginally effective and most only work with a strict and difficult-to-follow diet. The typical candida diet consists mostly of meat and vegetables. Carbohydrates, starches and sugars feed the yeast and cause them to multiply, as well as foods that contain high content of yeast or mold, like alcoholic beverages, aged cheeses, mushrooms, vinegar and breads.

Threelac is Proven to Work

There is one product however, Threelac, that has been proven to reduce candida and bring the proper balance to the intestinal flora without following a rigid diet. In tests done in the U.S. based on patients who ate a Western diet, everyone reported they were candida free without going on a strict candida diet. Do you want to deprive yourself of your favorite foods forever just to be candida free? Or would you prefer to kick your candida problem and enjoy your food too with a product that is proven to reduce candidiasis without following a strict diet?

While candida still poses a very real health challenge to many women, thank goodness there are now effective solutions that can help suffers find lasting relief. Candida doesn't have to change your life forever and rage back out of control every time you indulge a little bit.