Dr. Satish Cuddapah, M.D. says in an article written for Fibro & Fatigue Today that chronic yeast infections that affect multiple regions of the body are usually overlooked when doctors approach patients with CFS and FM. Yeast infections most often occur when the patient’s immune system is compromised by the disease state and is routinely caused by the overuse of antibiotics and prednisone or steroids that are used to treat various inflammatory conditions.
The yeast that is normally suppressed by the person’s immune system and the good bacteria that may have been killed off by too much antiobiotic use now have a chance to grow. Common symptoms of overgrowth of yeast include (these are just a few of many symptoms):
– fatigue
– muscle tenderness
– diarrhea along with IBS
– premenstrual syndrome
– loss of sexual drive
Lab tests to help doctors diagnose chronic yeast infections are often inaccurate. Doctors tend to make a better diagnosis by using both history of the patient and a clinical exam.
Managing yeast involves dietary changes that include avoiding free, refined and sugar-containing products, breads, cheese, pasta, and potatoes. In addition to diet changes, often treatments with prescription antifungals are needed along with natural therapies such as oregano, uva, ursi, grapefruit and olive leaf extracts.
The length of the treatment depends upon the patient’s response but the usual duration is about three months.
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