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Ronnie Falcao, LM MS, a homebirth midwife in Mountain View, CA

Yeast Overgrowth

I just finished typing up all this info about candidia for another list and thought I would pass it on in the hopes that it could help your or someone you know.

The book that I am referring to for the information is called: The Yeast Connection Handbook ISBN# 0-933478-24-0 by William G. Crook, MD, recommends:  "A sugar-free special diet and nonprescription antiyeast agents may help control yeast overgrowth if your health problems are mild and of short duration.  Yet, if you're troubled by a moderate to severe yeast-related disorder, I strongly recommend a therapeutic trial of one or more of the prescription medications."  He recommends Nystatin oral powder the most due to it's safety and effectiveness along with diet and other therapies to rebuild your health.

From the book: Everyone should get this book if their health problems are yeast connected . . . If you:

• feel "sick all over"
• Have taken many antibiotic drugs
• are bothered by fatigue, headache, or depression
• often feel spaced out
• are bothered by muscle aches and digestive problems
• crave sugar
• are unusually sensitive to tobacco, perfume, and othe chemicals
• are bothered by food sensitivities
• have sought in vain for help from many different physicians
• your health problems are probably yeast connected.

• Recurrent vaginal yeast infections
• PMS
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Sexual dysfunction
• Dyspareunia (pain on intercourse)
• Other problems that affect many women also may be yeast-connected,
• including:
• Vulvodynia (burning vulva)
• Endometriosis
• Interstitial cystitis
• Infertility

Men and children also develop yeast-related problems, especially those who take many antibiotic drugs or steroids.
Common symptoms in Male adults:

• fatigue
• headache
• digestive symptoms
• muscle and joint pains
• depression
• chemical sensitivities
• food sensitivities
• sugar cravings
• memory loss
• sexual dysfunction

• Constant colds
• Irritability
• Sleep problems
• digestive problems
• attention deficits
• skin rashes
• ear problems

hyperactivity

• fatigue
• poor school performance
• depression
• food and chemical sensitivities
• irritability
• headache

Other complaints and illnesses in adults of both sexes that sometimes may be yeast-related, include:

• numbness
• Crohn's disease
• Scleroderma
• Myasthenia gravis
• Eczema
• Lupus erythematosus
• Psoriasis
• Multiple sclerosis
• sinusitis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• tingling
• acne
• asthma
• chronic hives

"I'm not saying that the common yeast, candida albicans, is *the* cause of all of these problems.  Yet, candida may be one of the causes-even a major cause- of these and other health problems." This book also has a yeast questionnaire, case studies, and a 10 step program to regain your health. Info on diets, medications, other therapies that may help and even sugar-free, yeast-free recipes.  He also goes into each of the above symptoms in greater depth with a separate chapter for women; men; young children and infants; and older children and teens. Well, I gone this far...I might as well tell you what the steps are:

1. Believe in yourself.  Say to yourself, "I can and will regain my health."
2. Take charge.  "If it's going to be, it's up to me."  Read, study, and Be responsible.
3. Control chemical exposures
4. Nutritional supplements
5. Change your diet- He includes a list of food you can eat, one to limit,

and ones to avoid the first 3 weeks and to avoid until you are yeast-free.
6. Take yeast-control medications- prescription (i.e.: Nystatin oral powder, Nizoral, Diflucan, Soranox, etc.  Don't use Nystatin topical powder or Nystatin suspension) and nonprescription (i.e.: Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidum bacterium. Herbs i.e.: Caprylic acid, Citrus seed extract, Garlic, Tanalbit, ParaCan, Goldenseal, Aloe Vera, Colloidal Silver, Pau d'Arco, etc)
7. Exercise
8. Change your lifestyle
9. The Mind/Body Connection
10. Food Allergies and Sensitivities- how to find out what they are.