Could an Overgrowth of Candida be the Cause of the Headache that Won’t Stop?
FEATURE
Todd Singleton
When a patient presents for treatment of headaches and the headaches persist after a course of treatment, it may be due to an overgrowth of Candida. You can help the patient not only through chiropractic treatment in your office, but also by addressing his or her diet to eradicate the overgrowth of Candida.
When Candida’s harmful byproducts, mycotoxins, wreak havoc on a cellular level, they cause symptoms that can affect the whole body. Each patient reacts to Candida differently, and as a result, experiences a variety of seemingly unrelated symptoms. These symptoms may include:
a. Central nervous system problems: headaches, sinus headaches, tension headaches, migraines, low blood sugar headaches, rapid blood sugar changes.
b. Musculoskeletal problems: muscle weakness, night leg pains, muscle stiffness (especially neck and shoulder), slow reaction time, poor coordination, poor motor skills, falling, tendency to drop things.
c. Respiratory problems: frequent sore throat, mouth or canker sores, sinus infection, bronchial infections, chronic cough, asthma.
d. Cardiovascular problems: palpitations, rapid pulse rate (Candida does not directly affect the heart but rather the hormones regulating the system).
e. Genitourinary problems: yeast infections, itching or burning in the vagina or prostate, urinary burning, frequent urination, lack of bladder control, bed-wetting, menstrual cramping, PMS.
f. Gastrointestinal problems: gas, bloating, abdominal pain, gastritis, gastric ulcer, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, spastic colon.
g. Allergic reactions: congested nose, hives, headaches, dizziness, diarrhea, weakness, cramps, arthritis, irritability, depression, increased sensitivities to foods or chemicals.
h. Skin infection: usually rash type in nature, typically under the breasts, groin area, diaper rash, hives, etc.
i. High levels of stress hormones: anxiety, irritability, moodiness, restlessness, panic attacks, sudden anger, sleep disturbances, poor short-term memory, inability to concentrate, fuzzy thinking and confusion.
j. Fatigue: may be caused by impaired metabolism and impaired enzyme production.
k. Weight gain: yeast overgrowth causes cravings for sugar, interferes with appetite, raises insulin levels, lowers metabolism, and increases fatigue.
Just what is candida?
Candida is an overinfestation of yeast in the body. Although yeasts normally reside in the body in small quantities, they can become dangerous if they become too numerous.
There ai e more than 900 different strains of yeast in the human body, though Candida albicans is one of the most common. Candida albicans has unique characteristics that make it especially dangerous when too many of them grow. They can grow long, mold-like tendrils that penetrate tissues in the body, causing inflammation and cell damage. When these same yeasts invade the gut, they cause structural damage and widespread inflammation.
The body’s natural defense systems are designed to keep Candida under control. When a patient is healthy, his or her body does this on its own, and small Candida colonies in the gut are nothing to worry about. However, poor nutrition, stress, antibiotics, alcohol, and caffeine can also play a role in reducing the body’s control over Candida.
Candida overgrowth in the gut wreaks widespread havoc on the whole body, causing symptoms that range from anxiety to obesity. When Candida yeasts become overgrown in the
gut, they can damage the intestinal walls, which allows food particles, bacteria, and other toxins to enter the bloodstream. The foreign particles that escape trigger an immune response that can result in inflammation and a host of other issues if left untreated.
■ ■ When yeasts become overgrown in the body, they produce more mycotoxins. 55
Yeasts excrete toxic chemicals called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are hazardous substances that affect the body in a number of different ways. When yeasts become overgrown in the body, they produce more mycotoxins. These mycotoxins end up in the bloodstream and affect the cells in the following ways:
a. Cells have difficulty passing messages to one another, causing muscle aches and nerve pain.
b. Red blood cells have difficulty passing into small capillaries.
c. White blood cells have trouble enveloping bacteria and foreign material.
d. Sugar has difficulty passing through cells.
e. Thyroid hormones have trouble passing through cells.
f. Minerals have trouble passing through cell walls.
g. Enzymes are destroyed.
■ "Eating a diet rich in sugary, starchy foods is one of the primary causes of Candida overgrowth. During the past 160 years, sugar consumption in the United States has skyrocketed. Most patients eat far more sugar than their bodies are equipped to handle. 5 5
Causes of candida overgrowth
Eating a diet rich in sugary, starchy foods is one of the primary causes of Candida overgrowth. During the past 160 years, sugar consumption in the United States has skyrocketed. Most patients eat far more sugar than their bodies are equipped to handle. Refined sugars are directly metabolized by Candida organisms, causing them to reproduce rapidly. Complex sugars found in fruit and other natural substances also feed Candida, but they do so less efficiently.
Grains, legumes, and certain vegetables (potatoes, corn, etc.) are the primary sources of starch, which end up feeding Candida. The sugars and starches that feed Candida also weaken the immune system, reducing the body’s ability to fight off the yeast. Sugars suppress the immune system, allowing yeast colonies to multiply rapidly. Starches are slow to digest and end up feeding harmful bacteria that work with Candida to cause problems. Friendly bacteria in the gut normally help keep Candida in check, but lifestyle factors, such as alcohol, caffeine, stress, and antibiotic use, can destroy friendly bacteria.
Antibiotics kill only the weakest bacteria in the gut. The strongest bacteria survive and multiply. The same is true with antifungal medications. The remaining yeasts just become stronger. The more of these medications a patient uses, the harder it is for the body to naturally eradicate Candida. Antibiotics can also suppress the immune system as a whole, making it doubly difficult for the body to take care of Candida on its own. Steroid drugs, such as cortisone or prednisone, have a similar effect, suppressing the immune system and allowing Candida to run rampant.
Patients need friendly bacteria
When Candida grows out of control, it overwhelms the population of friendly bacteria growing in the gut. Friendly bacteria are necessary to:
• Reduce blood pressure
• Increase assimilation of calcium
• Produce digestive enzymes
• Produce natural antibacterial agents
• Retard yeast growth (especially Candida)
• Reduce harmful bacteria in the body
• Help with digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
• Eliminate toxic materials in the body
Reduce cholesterol in the blood Balance pH levels in the intestines (acid/ alkaline balance)
Protect against colon irritation, constipation, and diarrhea
Help eliminate bad breath, bloating, and gas Manufacture and assimilate B vitamins (niacin, biotin, folic acid, riboflavin, and B12)
Conventional Medical Approach To Candida
Conventional medicine turns to antifungal medications and antibiotics to treat yeast overgrowth. Many physicians lack awareness of Candida overgrowth as a serious medical problem and fail to treat it at all. When drugs are used to specifically address Candida, they end up destroying some of the yeast, but leave the strongest strains behind. When medication is discontinued, the drug-resistant yeasts multiply rapidly. More mycotoxins are produced, and more damage is done to the gut.
How you can help patients with candida
Candida can be difficult to get rid of, but it can be eradicated if proper steps are taken. Provide your patients with dietary guidelines that eliminate the foods that feed Candida and exacerbate symptoms. Your guidelines should instruct your patients to eliminate or avoid:
• Processed foods
• Food additives
• Starchy vegetables
• Sugars
• Fruits (fruit is beneficial, but not while Candida is present)
• Most grains and legumes
• Processed meats, beef lamb, and pork
• Dairy
Chemicals Sweeteners Refined oils Alcohol
Caffeinated drinks Herbal teas Tobacco Stimulants
Helping patients get rid of the Candida that plagues them may seem like a daunting task, but it isn’t. I have found that because of the overuse of processed foods, most patients suffer with Candida. However, once it is eradicated from their bodies, they are thrilled with the way they feel. When you have patients who don’t respond to treatment for headaches, it may be that they have an overgrowth of Candida. This can be overcome by a change of diet. One of the greatest gifts you can bestow upon patients is to teach them that what they eat directly affects their health.
Todd Singleton, DC, is an author, speaker, consultant, and practicing doctor He graduatedfrom Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in 1990. For many years, he ran the largest MD DC PT clinics in the state of Utah, until he switched to an all-cash, nutrition model in 2006. Dr. Singleton has a busy practice in Salt Lake City where he specializes in nutrition, neuropathy, weight loss, and other diet-related conditions. He also speaks around the country and holds a monthly seminar in his office teaching other chiropractors how to add neuropathy and weight loss into their offices. He can be reached at 801-903-7141 to answer any additional questions regarding this article or related topics, or you can find additional information by visitingwww.SupportNeuro.com orwww. CashlnWeightLoss. com.
