Intestinal fungus is a natural segment of the human intestine and occurs in moderate amounts in the intestinal flora. As a rule, the fungus does not cause any symptoms. However, if Candida albicans proliferates to a great extent, medical treatment is inevitable.
What is intestinal fungus?
The proliferation of one or more species of fungi in the intestinal area is called intestinal fungus. Most commonly, it is the yeast Candida albicans. The fungi convert carbohydrates ingested through food into carbon dioxide and fusel alcohols. In addition to flatulence, gases produced by the fermentation process often lead to a feeling of fullness and severe intestinal pain. If the intestine is exposed to fusel alcohols for a longer period of time, the liver may even be damaged. The intestinal fungus is dependent on the mucous membranes of humans and those of other warm-blooded animals. The infection is transmissible from person to person through direct physical contact such as saliva exchange or sexual intercourse. Healthy individuals with a strong immune system are usually not harmed by the yeasts. Most often, already weakened or sick people become infected. The fungi settle mainly in warm, moist places. Therefore, the niches of the intestine provide optimal living conditions for the intestinal fungus.
Causes
The causes of fungal diseases are many and varied. However, they are often primarily related to nutritional deficiencies. High consumption of sweets and white flour products can lead to a significant increase in infestation. In addition to sugar, nicotine and the abuse of alcohol, drugs or medication can also be a cause. Lack of exercise and constant stress also contribute to fungal infestation. Other risk groups include cancer and AIDS patients, diabetics, the elderly, and women who use hormonal contraceptive pills. The frequent use of medications such as cortisone and antibiotics, as well as various environmental toxins such as formaldehyde, also weaken the immune system and thus contribute to the spread of fungi. Molds in the home or in food and a disturbed acid-base balance in the body also favor the proliferation of fungi. These are just a few factors that contribute to the weakening of the defenses, thereby favoring the growth of the fungus.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Intestinal fungus can manifest itself through a number of symptoms and complaints. Typical of the disease are sudden digestive problems, often accompanied by flatulence, a feeling of fullness and abdominal cramps. Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting may also occur. Occasionally, candida is manifested by diarrhea and constipation, which usually alternate and increase in intensity as the disease progresses. In addition, fatigue and exhaustion occur, accompanied by a gradual decrease in performance and dizziness. In addition, itching may occur in the intimate area, especially in the anal region. In women, intestinal fungus can cause itching in the vaginal area. In the absence of treatment, chronic gastrointestinal complaints may develop in the course of an intestinal mycosis. In parallel, those affected experience an increasing feeling of illness and physical discomfort. Sometimes psychological complaints also arise. Undetected intestinal fungus in particular can cause depressive moods and anxiety. In individual cases, panic attacks occur, accompanied by sweating and cardiovascular complaints. However, candids can be quickly recognized and treated on the basis of the above-mentioned symptoms and complaints. Early therapy prevents complications and brings rapid improvement of symptoms in most cases.
Diagnosis and course
There are several ways to diagnose intestinal fungus. However, care must be taken here, as the symptoms are nonspecific and may well have other causes. If symptoms occur after eating sweets or diarrhea and constipation alternate, a visit to the doctor is advisable in any case. Itching at the anus, alcohol intolerance, skin changes and joint pain can also be indicators of increased fungal infestation. Those affected also frequently suffer from migraines, sleep disorders, depression, skin changes or joint complaints. If an intestinal fungal infection is suspected, a stool sample can be informative. However, the result will be falsified if the samples are not taken directly from the nests in the intestinal wall.Further diagnostic measures include a blood test or a saliva sample, although even these methods do not always lead to conclusive findings. Truly reliable diagnoses are only possible by microscopic examination and indirect detection of metabolic products by the fungus.
Complications
Intestinal fungus does not cause any symptoms or complications in a healthy person. However, the situation is somewhat different if the fungus begins to multiply. If the intestinal fungus begins to multiply, then numerous complications can arise that may even need to be evaluated and treated by a physician. A very common clinical picture that can be caused by an intestinal fungus is a cold combined with watery diarrhea. Anyone who leaves this clinical picture without any treatment is taking a very big risk. Without proper treatment and the right medications, the individual clinical pictures can worsen considerably. For this reason, a visit to the doctor is very important. Only in this way can the symptoms that occur be recognized early and treated effectively. Those who do without it will especially have complications with the existing diarrhea. There is a considerable loss of fluid, so that it can also lead to severe circulatory problems. Only by a sufficient liquid supply this complication can be counteracted effectively. Thus, the following applies: An intestinal fungus is completely normal in limited amounts. However, if this fungus multiplies very quickly within a short period of time, various complications can occur. It can come to different cold symptoms, fever, itching, full feeling or also sleep disturbances. If you want to avoid these complications, you should seek medical treatment early.
When should you go to the doctor?
In healthy people, intestinal fungus often does not cause any symptoms. Symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, skin rash or severe fatigue can be a sign that the immune system is weakened and the fungi in the intestine have been able to multiply massively. If home remedies such as “starving out” the fungi with a low-carbohydrate diet and drinking sauerkraut juice or antifungal herbal teas do not lead to success, the family doctor should be consulted. A simple stool examination can already bring clarity about the extent of the fungal infestation, with an unclear finding possibly a referral to the internist or allergist follows. In addition, the cause of the immune deficiency should be investigated: It could be a previously undetected viral disease or a tumor. Some chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, increase the risk of intestinal fungi becoming prevalent, as does pregnancy. With rapid treatment, further spread and associated complications can usually be avoided. Women who frequently suffer from vaginal mycosis should also have it clarified whether the recurring illness is due to a fungal infection in the intestine. If the intestinal fungus becomes noticeable during or after therapy with antibiotics or cortisone, a medically supervised intestinal cleansing can be helpful.
Treatment and therapy
Intestinal fungus is usually controlled with a fungal culture or an antifungal agent such as nystatin or fluconazole. At the same time, it is important to restore the weakened immune system. Here, a microbiological therapy can contribute to recovery. This activates the body’s own defenses through intestinal germs and a special vaccine and regenerates the intestinal flora. In addition, it is essential to consistently deprive the yeasts of their nutritional basis and to adhere to a strict anti-fungal diet for at least four weeks. The basis for this is the renunciation of sugar, sweets of any form, white flour products and alcohol. Caution is also advised with sweet fruit due to its sugar content. On the other hand, large quantities of vegetables and salad as well as high-quality whole grain products have a positive effect. This balanced diet is full of fiber and not only strengthens the body’s natural defenses, but also cleanses the body and stimulates bowel movement at the same time. This diet is wholesome and leads to long-term success, provided it is maintained consistently and permanently.
Outlook and prognosis
In most patients, intestinal fungus has a favorable prognosis.Drug treatment leads to relief of the symptoms within a few days or weeks. The stronger and more stable the patient’s immune system is, the shorter the healing process normally is. With a balanced and healthy diet, the prognosis also improves. In the case of a yeast infection, a special diet is recommended. This leads to a weakening of the symptoms and subsequent recovery of the patient within a few weeks. Consumption of sugar, wheat flour, confectionery as well as alcohol should be avoided to prevent worsening or spreading of the fungus. The intake of vegetables and whole grain products should be increased at the same time. For at least four weeks, the dietary regimen should be maintained consistently for healing to occur. In most cases, the anti-fungal diet is necessary for six to twelve weeks. Intestinal fungus can relapse at any time. This is especially true if the underlying causes are not addressed or the patient is re-exposed to an infected environment. In the case of an underlying psychosomatic illness, the prognosis is considered difficult. Intestinal fungus may persist abruptly for a prolonged period if the irritant triggers or psychological stresses cannot be found or treated.
Prevention
Yeast fungi require a suitable breeding ground. A balanced diet that is as natural as possible can prevent this from occurring in the first place. A healthy lifestyle counteracts the pathological multiplication of the intestinal fungus and at the same time strengthens the immune system. It also makes sense to avoid deficiencies in nutrients such as zinc and, if necessary, to compensate for them with suitably rich foods. To prevent transmission of the fungus to others, thorough hygiene is essential. Regular changing of towels and toothbrushes as well as thorough cleaning of braces or dentures are essential. The infestation often also affects the genital region and the mouth, which is why both partners are always treated in the case of a partnership.
Aftercare
In order to ensure the therapeutic success of intestinal fungus treatment in the long term, it is usually unavoidable that the anti-fungal diet, which was already part of the treatment, is continued over a longer period of time, at least for twelve weeks. During this time, those affected must take care not to create new breeding grounds for the intestinal fungus. It is therefore important to ensure a diet that is based predominantly on healthy, plant-based foods. Whole grain products, fresh vegetables, salads and low-sugar fruit are particularly recommended. Soy products, legumes, nuts and seeds are suitable sources of protein. White flour products, sugar and other (organic) sweeteners, desserts, especially cakes, pies, chocolates, chocolate and chocolate bars must be avoided at all costs. In addition, attention should be paid to hidden sugar in convenience foods, juices and milk-based drinks. Artificial sweeteners are allowed in manageable amounts, but high intakes can lead to digestive disorders and diarrhea. Eating (plant-based) yogurt can also help keep intestinal flora healthy, as these products contain probiotic bacterial cultures. It is important to strengthen the immune system so that there is no renewed overgrowth of intestinal fungi. In addition to a healthy diet and abstaining from nicotine and excessive alcohol consumption, regular exercise in the fresh air in particular contributes to this.
What you can do yourself
A strong infestation of the intestine with yeast fungi can have dangerous consequences. If there is a suspicion of this disease, a doctor should definitely be consulted and his instructions strictly followed. Special attention should be paid to the patient’s diet in the case of an intestinal fungal infection. Those affected should avoid sugary foods and drinks as well as white flour products. Refined industrial sugar, which is generally regarded as unhealthy, is not the only harmful substance. In the case of intestinal fungus, other types of sugar such as fructose, glucose or maltose should also be avoided. Sweet fruit or fruit juices are also considered counterproductive. White flour products that must be avoided include in particular bread, rolls, toast, baguettes and all sweet pastries. Whole grain cereal products and potatoes may be consumed, in moderate amounts. However, the focus of the diet should be mainly salad and vegetables until the reduction of yeast.In addition, fiber-rich foods, such as psyllium, are considered particularly useful in the fight against intestinal fungi. In naturopathy, a so-called intestinal rehabilitation is recommended for excessive yeast infestation. The therapy usually begins with a comprehensive cleansing of the intestine by means of laxative salts or enemas. Following this, an attempt is then made to rebuild healthy intestinal flora with the help of a suitable diet and high-dose probiotic preparations.
