Candida Albicans is a yeast which lives in our intestines and other areas of the body e.g.skin. It is kept in check by our immune system and by 'friendly' bacteria which live with it. The candida can grow out of control when the hormonal balance of the body is disturbed by taking corticosteroids, or with medical antibiotics or by eating a diet high in sugars and carbohydrates!! Some of the more obvious symptoms of candida overgrowth are thrush, jock-itch, tiredness, depression, lethargy, athletes foot and fungal infections of the skin or nails. Often these are treated with local or topical medication only to recur. These symptoms should be treated properly, otherwise more serious illness can follow.

Check out the questionnaire below to find out if candida could be causing you problems  (tick those that apply to you, some of these are female specific):

Have you had thrush (oral or vaginal) more than once?                   

Have you had recurrent urinary tract infections, cystitis or other vaginal infections (not thrush)?                   

Do you have a history of endometriosis (female only)?                   

Have you had athlete's foot or fungal infections of the nails or skin?                    

Are you severely affected by exposure to chemical fumes, perfumes, smoke?          

Are your symptoms worse after taking yeasty or sugary foods or drinks?                   

Do you suffer from a variety of food allergies?                   

Do you suffer from abdominal bloating, diarrhoea or constipation?                   

Do you suffer from pre-menstrual syndrome (female only)?                

Do you suffer from depression, fatigue, lethargy or poor memory?                 

Do you have food cravings?                  

Do you have muscular aches, tingling, numbness or burning?                  

Do you suffer from unaccountable aches and / or swelling in joints?                    

Do you have erratic vision or spots before the eyes?                     

Do you suffer from impotence or lack of sexual desire?                   

Symptoms usually worse on damp days                  

Persistent drowsiness / tired all the time                   

Lack of co-ordination                   

Headaches / migraines                   

Mood swings                    

Loss of balance                   

Rashes              

Mucus in stools                  

Belching and /or flatulence                    

Bad breath                  

Dry mouth or throat                   

Nasal itch and/or congestion                   

Nervous irritability                   

Tightness in chest                  

Ear sensitivity or fluid in ears                    

Heartburn and indigestion

 If you said yes to more than six of these questions you might want to consider booking an appointment to see me. Remember that we can do the consultation online or on the phone. Fulham on 02073856001 or North London on 07887801568.