Candida questionnaire

Assessment
IS YEAST THE PROBLEM?

Candidiasis – What is it?
Candida albicans, is a yeast/fungus which is always present in the intestinal and
genital tracts. If Candida proliferation becomes disproportionate to the other 400
or so “friendly” bacteria strains in the intestine, it becomes candidiasis – a
candida infection.
Oral and vaginal thrush, jock itch and infant diaper rash are the most commonly
recognised symptoms of candidiasis, however, candida infection may manifest in
many different areas of the body. The symptoms of candidiasis are many and
varied, from a white coated tongue, itching, irritable bowel and cystitis, to bad
breath, PMS, joint pain and extreme fatigue. Because of its many disguises and
symptoms, candidiasis is often overlooked or misdiagnosed.
Candidiasis may affect anyone at any age and is easily transmitted through
intimate contact, such as sexual intercourse and breast feeding mothers. Factors
that increase susceptibility to candida infection include immune weakness,
antibiotic use, contraceptive pills and steroidal medications. Because candidiasis
can damage the intestinal lining and disrupt the immune system, people with
candida infections’ often also have or develop food allergies or sensitivities.
Yeasts, including candida, feed on sugar and
proliferate freely in an environment imbalanced by
antibiotics. It is said that people with robust
immune systems who eat a healthy diet that is low
in sugar and yeast rarely become infected with
candida.
Sputum smear from patient with invasive Pulmonary Candidiasis. Possibly?
Are your health problems
Probably?
candida connected?
Certainly?

To the following questions answer:
Have you ever taken antibiotic medications?. Have you ever taken contraceptive pills or steroidal drugs?. Do you crave sugar, sweets, breads or alcoholic beverages?. Do you experience recurrent digestive problems?. Do you experience symptoms of fatigue or depression? . Do you experience headaches, muscle or joint pain?. Do you experience PMS, mood swings, lack of libido?. Do you experience genital malodour, itching or discharge? . Do you have food or environmental allergies?. Do you feel “bad all over” with no known cause?. Are you overly sensitive to tobacco smoke or odours?. From the above questions if you answered :
YES to 3-4 questions, candida may POSSIBLY play a role in your condition
YES to 5-7 questions, candida is PROBABLY adversely affecting your health
YES to more than 8 questions, candida is almost CERTAINLY involved
Section A: Circle the points score if your answer to the question is yes:
Have you ever taken antibiotics?
- Single dose
- Broad spectrum more than once in a year or longer than one month - Tetracyclines (or similar) for 1 month or more Have you ever been pregnant? - One pregnancy Have you ever taken prednisone or other cortisone/steroidal drugs? - For less than two weeks Have you ever taken birth control pills? - For 6 months to two years Are your symptoms worse with sugary foods, humidity or mouldy places? Have you had any form of chronic fungal infection? Do you crave sugar, sweet foods, breads or alcoholic beverages? Do tobacco smoke or odours really bother you? Total score for section A:
Section B: Major symptoms - Fill in the appropriate score:
Occasionally or Mild = 4, Frequent or Moderately Severe = 8, Severe or Disabling=10
Fatigue, lethargy, feeling drained or tired all the time .
Feeling “spacey” or unreal, Poor memory.
Depression .
Numbness, burning or tingling sensations .
Muscle or joint aches, pains, weakness or paralysis .
Digestive disorders, abdominal bloating, pain or discomfort.
Constipation or Diarrhoea (double the points if you regularly experience both) .
Troublesome or malodourous vaginal discharge, genital burning or itching.
Prostatitis or Impotence .
Loss of libido .
Premenstrual tension, Menstrual cramps or irregularities.
Spots in front of the eyes .
Total score for section B:

Section C: Other symptoms - Fill in the appropriate score:
Occasionally or Mild = 1, Frequent or Moderately Severe = 2, Severe or Disabling=3
Irritability, Nervousness, Mood swings, Inability to concentrate.
Headache.
Heartburn, Indigestion, Belching or Flatulence .
Skin, ear, nasal itching .
Chronic irritating cough .
Urinary urgency, frequency or burning.
Bad breath, White coated tongue .
Recurrent infections .
Burning or watering eyes, Failing vision .
Fluid in the ears or Loss of hearing.
Total score for section C:
Add together totals for sections A, B & C
This is your grand score
Total. /315
Total score up to 70 = Mild to Moderate Candidiasis
Follow treatment protocol including dietary and supplemental recommendations for
at least one month .
Total score 70 to 180 = Moderate to Severe Candidiasis
Follow treatment protocol for at least three months including dietary and intestinal
repair product recommendations.
Total score 180 to 315 = Severe Candidiasis
Follow treatment protocol for at least six to twelve months
including dietary and intestinal repair product
recommendations.
Treatment Protocol

. Radiance® CandAidTM .Nature’s Way® Primadophilus .Nature’s Way® Olive leaf .Nature’s Start® Colostrum Capsules Foods to avoid: Sugar and sugar containing foods, white flour products including
bread and pasta, packaged and processed foods, yeast breads, pastries and other
raised bakery goods, alcoholic beverages, condiments, sauces and vinegars or
vinegar containing foods (ie pickles), malt products, concentrated yeast spreads,
processed or deli meats, edible fungi, melons, coffee and tea, fruit juices, dried and
candied fruits. Eat fresh fruits sparingly as they are high in fruit sugars. Always
wash the fruit as there may be yeast growth on the skins of fruit kept at room
temperature.
Foods to eat freely: Plenty of fresh raw or steamed vegetables, nuts and seeds,
legumes, fish, lean meats, poultry and eggs (organic and free range if possible as
they are less likely to be contaminated with antibiotics and other chemicals). Ensure
you have some cold pressed virgin olive oil at least 4 times weekly and take
Radiance® Omega-3 Concentrated fish oil supplement. Moderate your intake of
grains, limiting yourself to small amounts of whole grains such as brown rice, oats,
millet, barley etc as porridge, muffins, and sugar free, yeast free breads, also add to
soups etc.
Making major dietary changes can be difficult, especially if you try to make them all
at once. Start eliminating certain foods slowly (other than sugars which are most
important to avoid) and always look for reasonable substitutes to ensure you are still
eating a good variety of wholesome, nutritious foods. Explore the joy of cooking, and
experiment with new recipes and ideas.
Health & Herbs International Ltd
Phone 0508 600 400 to speak to a Naturopath

Source: http://www.amcalmount.co.nz/images/uploads/pdfs/Candida_questionnaire.pdf