When Candida infections or allergies are successfully treated, most, if not all the respiratory symptoms decrease in both frequency and severity. People reduce or stop using inhalers and they experience renewed energy levels.The diet, regimen and life-style changes prescribed for the treatment of candidiasis and asthma are health-enhancing for all members of the family.The diagnostic work-up for candidiasis often shows up immunological abnormalities that help the physician undertake a number of preventive measures.The successful treatment of candidiasis will remove a potentially disruptive load on the body’s defence mechanisms and this will make any other treatment for any other illness more successful.Because Candida infections can spread easily, controlling them will minimise potentially dangerous problems for close friends and relatives.Because it is quite possible to have a Candida infection without a Candida allergy, and vice versa, the differential diagnosis exercise will often unmask other, pre-existing conditions.Because Candida infections always require the concurrent treatment of one’s sexual partner and usually of any small children in the household, the potential for mould-allergy-related asthma is greatly reduced in the whole family.Careful monitoring of respiratory functions (spirometry) before, during and after anti-candida treatment will allow the patient to reduce or stop using inhalers (puffers) with relative safety.To successfully treat candida-related illnesses one must carry out a number of important steps:Differential diagnosis between Candida and/or related fungi-allergy or hypersensitivity and Candida infections. This is essential for asthmatics, since anyone with a mould-fungi-yeast-candida allergy may get much worse when starting almost any anti-fungal treatment and could experience a severe asthma attack when first taking medications;An assessment of the virulence, proliferation and immune-engaging capabilities of Candida albicans either via antibody stimulation or allergy-spreading phenomena.A trial of chosen therapeutic measure(s) such as antifungals and diet, and a quantifiable measurement of their efficacy. (It is difficult to diagnose candidiasis with absolute certainty from symptoms alone, because many other illnesses present the same or a similar cluster of symptoms.)Abnormally high levels of anti-candida antibodies, Candida antigens and immune complexes are diagnostic. When the test results are positive and symptoms and signs are present, treatment is justified.Although we all use the term ‘systemic candidiasis’, it is actually a misnomer, since only the symptoms are systemic. The yeast infection is not, because it occurs predominantly in the mouth, throat, digestive tract and urogenital areas.Vaginal, stool and other cultures are not reliable diagnostic measures.Candida infections can spread easily. Studies have found toothbrushes, dentures, fabrics, juices and soups among the common sources of Candida cross-infections. Candida infections can be the cause of many, often seemingly unrelated, health problems ranging from allergies, asthma, latent viral re-activation, mood swings and premenstrual syndrome, to arthritis and heart disease. On the other hand, Candida can be a symptom of all these, as well as of many other, sometimes more serious, underlying conditions. In such cases treatment directed solely at Candida will be unsuccessful or will allow the infection to recur. In the meanwhile, the underlying cause of one’s health problem may go undetected and untreated. It is therefore essential that such differential diagnosis be made thoroughly before or as soon as possible after commencing any therapy.Treatments for each of the above possibilities may differ and treatment of an infection will be less likely to succeed if there is also a concurrent allergy or if a sensitivity to Candida is the problem, rather than the infection. The reverse is also true. In fact, the so-called ‘die-off’ reaction, once believed to be caused only by toxins released by the dying Candida organism, is often a result of the patient’s being allergic to Candida and /or allied moulds/fungi. It seems that the die-off reaction often indicates fungi/ mould allergies.Contrary to a general belief, there are some useful tests for the condition and its many manifestations. While no single test is absolutely accurate in every case, it is possible to determine whether someone is infected by or allergic to Candida albicans or some of its fungal family. It is possible to detect if there is an underlying immunological problem or not and it is possible to monitor the success and progress of any chosen treatment.If you suspect that you have Candida, either because of the symptoms or as a result of a Candida questionnaire, it is essential to undergo a thorough physical examination, a Candida antibodies blood test and other tests to determine if you are suffering from viral, immunological or other underlying conditions. This is not only because the tests may confirm the problem, but also because the interpretation of Candida, immunological and viral tests can alert your doctor to the possible presence of other underlying problems.Candida can cause infections as well as allergies. It can cause allergies by altering the immune system and problems by the release of toxins, both at the same time. Such a situation can result in a variety of symptoms which involve organs and glands anywhere in the body, even those remote from the areas infected by the organism. It can be associated with foods, chemicals or environmental allergies, intolerances or sensitivities, as well as dysfunctions of many glands and therefore hormone and enzyme systems. It can also cause heart problems.*53\145\2*
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