Odds are pretty high that you’re familiar with the medical condition known as a yeast infection, as statistics suggest that up to 75 percent of all American women contract a vaginal yeast infection (along with the accompanying itching and thick, discolored discharge) at least once in their lives. But what you may not know is that the official medical term for a yeast infection is candidiasis, and adult women are not the only ones susceptible to the condition.

Candidiasis refers to an overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans. At normal levels, Candida is harmless and exists alongside the trillions of other bacteria in the mouth, vagina, rectum and digestive tracts. But if there’s an overgrowth, candida can lead to significant health problems — in men, women and even children. Sore throats and those pesky yeast infections typically affect adults, while babies are more likely to develop oral thrush. Leaky gut is a more serious consequence of candidiasis, occurring when Candida causes the intestinal wall to become permeable and allows partially digested proteins and other toxins to be released into the body. And in severe cases, known as invasive candidiasis, Candida can negatively impact vital parts of the body, including the blood, heart and brain — ultimately leading to hospitalization and, rarely, death.

The good news is that, once you become aware of the early symptoms of Candida overgrowth, you can take the appropriate steps to treat Candida naturally and avoid all of the aforementioned conditions.

5 Symptoms of Candida Overgrowth

So what are some of the signs that Candida is running rampant in your body? Let’s take a look at five symptoms that may indicate a problem.

Mood disorders

Scientists are still uncovering just how connected our brains and digestive systems are, but we do know that if something is not functioning properly in the gut (say, if there’s an overgrowth of bad bacteria), it can most certainly affect the neurological system. As a result, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, dramatic mood swings and irritability may all point to Candida overgrowth.

Chronic fatigue

Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by sheer exhaustion that cannot be overcome. More specifically, it’s defined as fatigue lasting no less than six months that’s accompanied by additional symptoms such as joint pain, brain fog and headaches, to name a few. For those with Candida overgrowth, chronic fatigue is often one of the symptoms identified.

Gastrointestinal issues

When symptoms such as bloating, gas, cramps and either diarrhea or constipation are present, it’s a clear signal that something is amiss in your digestive tract. One cause may well be insufficient levels of healthy bacteria, which could have been caused by Candida overgrowth.

Sinus infections

An excessive amount of Candida can wreak havoc on the sinuses, causing sore throat, congestion, allergies, post-nasal drip and other symptoms of sinus upset.

Recurring vaginal and urinary tract infections

As previously discussed, an overgrowth of Candida in the vagina can cause the vaginal yeast infections that many people are already familiar with. Urinary tract infections can be caused by Candida as well, and if you are experiencing one or both of these conditions repeatedly, it could be a sign of a larger issue.

Common Candida Overgrowth Causes

If you’re thinking that many symptoms of Candida overgrowth could also point to a number of other conditions, you’re right. And in that case, it can help to more clearly discern whether Candida is causing your health concerns by also looking at some of the common causes of candidiasis.

Refined sugars and carbs

Yeast, a fungus, relies on sugar — a form of energy — for its vitality. Therefore, the more sugar there is in your body, the more the yeast will thrive, potentially leading to an overgrowth. And in today’s Western diet, refined sugars and carbohydrates are everywhere, largely disguised in phrases like glucose, fructose, lactose and maltose dextrose.

Alcohol consumption

When consumed at rates higher than what’s recommended or deemed acceptable, alcohol, which contains sugar, nurtures Candida growth. Much like how a high-sugar diet encourages Candida overgrowth, the same is true for a diet that’s too high in alcohol consumption.

Antibiotics

When you’re prescribed antibiotics, it’s to fight some sort of bacterial infection. And as these prescriptions are designed to do, they kill off the bacteria — both bad and good. That puts your body in jeopardy of antibiotic resistance and Candida overgrowth, since the good bacteria are what keep those naturally occurring Candida levels in a healthy balance.

Getting Help

If you find that you have some of the common symptoms for Candida overgrowth, and you also exhibit some of the lifestyle traits that can cause candidiasis, it is likely that candida is at the root of at least some of your health issues. Thankfully, there are all-natural ways to treat candida overgrowth. Here are the lifestyle changes that will trigger the biggest improvement in your overall health and help restore your body’s natural bacteria balance.

Cut the sugar

Not only does Candida thrive on sugar, but it also needs an acidic environment to survive. Processed and refined foods, as well as those high in gluten and sugar (including natural sugars), create an ideal home for Candida, so the most logical place to start battling the enemy is by removing those sources of growth. Restrict (or, better, eliminate completely) your intake of alcohol, sweets, bread, vinegar and foods containing vinegar, peanuts and foods high in sugar — including sweet fruits such as bananas and dates. You can replace those foods with others that are high in protein and healthy fats to keep you satisfied, including avocados, chia seeds and wild-caught fish.

Add Candida fighters

By not allowing Candida to survive, avocados, chia seeds, wild-caught fish and other healthy foods all help with candidiasis, but there are other foods that literally attack and kill the bacteria. Garlic is a natural anti-fungal that will kill Candida, as is turmeric (also known as curcumin). But the best, most potent, all-natural Candida killer is probably coconut oil. It contains caprylic acid, which has anti-microbial properties that are proven to kill yeasts and Candida. And studies have shown that it is even more effective in treating candidiasis than the prescription drug fluconazole.

Load up on probiotics

Because they have the potential to wreak so much havoc on the body, I recommend forgoing antibiotics whenever possible. Reports have concluded that many doctors are overprescribing antibiotics anyway, contributing to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. But with that said, I also know that sometimes antibiotics can’t be avoided. In those cases, it’s important to supplement with a high-quality probiotic, as probiotics help support the immune system, regulate digestion and restore a healthy balance of gut bacteria by crowding out Candida. And taking probiotics in pill form is not your only option. High-probiotic foods like kefir, kombucha and yogurt make reaping the benefits of Candida-destroying healthy bacteria both easy and delicious.

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5 Signs You’re Suffering From Candida Overgrowth — and What You Can Do About It originally appeared on usnews.com