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Chapter 11 – Do you have Candidiasis?

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How do you know if you have Candidiasis? There are a number of tests that can be performed to give you an indication of whether or not you have this condition.  They range from a saliva test that you do at home to laboratory testing which searches for candida antibodies in your blood and remnant candida in the stool.  The yeast questionnaires have been used by doctor’s such as Dr. William G. Crook who wrote The Yeast Connection.”  He specializes in the treatment of systemic yeast infections.

Saliva test

Simple, Free Test - This saliva test is a good indicator of Candida.

When you wake in the morning, before you put anything into your mouth, work up some saliva and spit it into a clear glass of water. You may want to spit in the glass three or four times. Make sure you have enough saliva in the glass to cover the surface of the water.  You want to observe the reaction of the saliva in the glass about every few minutes for up to 30 minutes. If there are strings coming down from your saliva, if the water turned cloudy, or if your saliva sank to the bottom, you probably have candida!        

(You may want to put out a glass of water in the bathroom or on the nightstand the night before you wish to do the test just to remind yourself not to brush your teeth prior to spitting into the glass.)

(Yes, people can test negative for yeast with this test.  If you do NOT have a yeast concern, your saliva should stay at the top of the glass and will eventually dissipate.)

Laboratory Tests

If you want a more definitive test there are some laboratory options:

From the vitaminlady.com - At the bottom of the page http://vitaminlady.com/Articles/candida_albicans.asp

YOU MAY SUSPECT, BUT DO YOU KNOW? There is a simple test that can be done to determine whether you have a Candida problem:  we have the kits here.  The cost of the kit is $15.96 plus shipping, and you then send a stool sample off to the lab.  You are personally responsible for the lab fee of $80.00.   The results are sent directly to the Health Care Provider you select.  I have often found that those with the most serious Candida problems also have parasites, and this Lab specializes in testing for those, too.

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http://www.drbralyallergyrelief.com/candida.html http://www.betterhealthusa.com/public/159.cfm http://www.candidapage.com/#test - This one seems to have a very comprehensive list of who does what kind of testing. A recommended test by Michael T. Murray is the CDSA (Comprehensive Stool and Digestive Analysis) test. This excerpt was taken from his book called Chronic Candidiasis. The CDSA is a battery of integrated diagnostic tests that evaluate digestion, intestinal function, intestinal environment, and absorption by carefully examining the stool. It is a very useful tool for determining which digestive disturbances are the likely underlying factors responsible for candida overgrowth.  The CDSA may determine that the symptoms are not related to candida overgrowth but rather to other digestive ailments such as small intestine bacterial overgrowth and the "leaky gut" syndrome. This test will determine the levels of Candida albicans and also what factors may be responsible for promoting its overgrowth.

Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory: 1-800-522-4762 (Comprehensive Stool Analysis)

            National BioTech Laboratory: 1-800-846-6285 (Candida Antibody Assays)

            Diagnos-Techs: 1-800-87-TESTS

            Meridian Valley Clinical Laboratory: 1-206-859-8700

Another laboratory method that can confirm the presence of candida overgrowth is measuring the level of antibodies to candida or the level of candida antigens in the blood.  I rarely order these tests, however, because the results typically confirm what the patient's history and the CDSA reveal.  Some patients may desire that Candida albicans is a responsible factor in the patient's health equation. In that situation, these blood studies can be quite helpful and can also be used as a way of monitoring therapies.

            Antibody Assay Laboratory: 1-800-522-2611

            Immunodiagnostic Lab: 510-635-4545

            National BioTech Laboratory: 1-800-846-6385

            Diagnos-Techs: 1-800-87-TESTS

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You can also take a survey to get an idea if there are factors in your life which may have contributed to this condition.  Here is the survey from Dr. Crook.

Yeast Test and Questionnaire

Yeast Questionnaire - Short Version

Developed by William G. Crook, M.D.
Are Your Health Problems Yeast Connected?

If your answer is yes to any question, check the box in the right hand column. When you've completed the questionnaire, add up the points you've checked. Your score will help you determine the possibility (or probability) your health problems are yeast connected. A more definitive test follows this one and it is highly recommended you take it as well.

1. Have you taken repeated or prolonged courses of antibacterial drugs?		4
2. Have you been bothered by recurrent vaginal, prostate or urinary infections?		3
3. Do you feel "sick all over," yet the cause hasn't been found?		2
4. Are you bothered by hormone disturbances, including PMS, menstrual irregularities, sexual dysfunction, sugar craving, low body temperature or fatigue?		2
5. Are you unusually sensitive to tobacco smoke, perfumes, colognes and other chemical odors?		2
6. Are you bothered by memory or concentration problems? Do you sometimes feel "spaced out?"		2
7. Have you taken prolonged courses of Prednisone or other steroids; or have you taken "the pill" for more than three years?		2
8. Do some foods disagree with you or trigger your symptoms?		1
9. Do you suffer with constipation, diarrhea, bloating or abdominal pain?		1
10. Does your skin itch, tingle or burn; or is it unusually dry; or are you bothered by rashes?		1

Bottom of Form: Scoring for women: If your score is 9 or more, your health problems are probably yeast connected. If your score is 12 or more, your health problems are almost certainly yeast connected.

Scoring for men: If your score is 7 or more, your health problems are probably yeast connected. If your score is 10 or more, your health problems are almost certainly yeast connected.

If your score is in the high range, you need to take the long questionnaire as well to get a more accurate indication of the severity of condition.

 

Yeast Questionnaire - Long Version

I suggest you print this questionnaire, circle your scores and keep it for future reference and for discussion with your healthcare provider. The results are important for you and your doctor to know.

This questionnaire lists factors in your medical history that promote the growth of the common yeast, Candida albicans (Section A), and symptoms commonly found in individuals with yeast-connected illness (Sections B and C).

*Filling out and scoring this questionnaire should help you and your physician evaluate how Candida albicans may be contributing to your health problems. YHowever, it will not provide an automatic yes or no answer. A comprehensive history and physical examination are important. In addition, laboratory studies, x-rays, and other types of tests may also be appropriate.

For each yes answer in Section A, circle the Point Score. Total your score, and record it at the end of the section. Then move on to Sections B and C, and score as directed.

Section A: History Point Score

Section A	1. Have you taken tetracyclines (Sumycin®, Panmycin®, Vibramycin®, Minocin®, etc.) or other antibiotics for acne for 1 month (or longer)?		50
Section A	2. Have you, at any time in your life, taken other "broad spectrum" antibiotics for respiratory, urinary or other infections for 2 months or longer, or for shorter periods 4 or more times in a 1-year span?		50
Section A	3. Have you taken a broad spectrum antibiotic drug – even for one period?		6
Section A	4. Have you, at any time in your life, been bothered by persistent prostatitis, vaginitis, or other problems affecting your reproductive organs?		25
Section A	5. Have you been pregnant 2 or more times?		5
Section A	5a. Pregnant 1 time?		3
Section A	6. Have you taken birth control pills for more than 2 years?		15
Section A	6a. Taken birth control pills 6 months to 2 years?		8
Section A	7. Have you taken Prednisone, Decadron®, or other cortisone-type drugs by mouth or inhalation** for more than 2 weeks?		15
Section A	7a. Taken these drugs 2 weeks or less?		6
Section A	8. Does exposure to perfumes, insecticides, fabric shop odors, or other chemicals provoke moderate to severe symptoms?		20
Section A	8a. Does exposure produce mild symptoms?		5
Section A	9. Are your symptoms worse on damp, muggy days or in moldy places?		20
Section A	10. Have you had athlete’s foot, ringworm, "jock itch" or other chronic fungus infections of the skin or nails that have been severe or persistent?		20
Section A	10a. Have you had athlete’s foot, ringworm, "jock itch" or other chronic fungus infections of the skin or nails that have been mild or moderate?		10
Section A	11. Do you crave sugar?		10
Section A	12. Do you crave breads?		10
Section A	13. Do you crave alcoholic beverages?		10
Section A	14. Does tobacco smoke really bother you?		10
Section A	Total Score

**The use of nasal or bronchial sprays containing cortisone and/or other steroids promotes overgrowth in the respiratory tract.
 

Section B: Major Symptoms

For each symptom that is present, enter the appropriate number in the Point Score column:

If a symptom is occasional or mild, score 3 points.
If a symptom is frequent and/or moderately severe, score 6 points.
If a symptom is severe and/or disabling, score 9 points.

Total the score for this section, and record it at the end of this section.

Section	Symptom	Mild 3 pts	Moderate 6 pts	Severe 9 pts
Section B	Fatigue or lethargy
Section B	Feeling of being "drained”
Section B