Finding a health professional to help with yeast-related problems can be tricky these days when insurance companies squeeze pennies and physicians every which way.
During medical school, internship and residency training, most MDs and osteopaths (DOs) were taught to recognize and treat disease. Although curriculum changes are being made in many medical schools, most MDs and DOs in practice today received little training in promoting health.
In addition to your own primary care physician, there are many caring health care professionals willing to help:
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| Ways To Treat Yeast Infection |
Osteopaths: DOs can perform surgery, deliver babies, treat patients and prescribe medications in hospitals and clinical settings and in all branches of the armed forces. DOs use all the tools of modem medicine, just as MDs do. In addition, DOs are trained to perform osteopathic manipulations, a technique in which a diagnosis is reached by giving special attention to the joints, bones, muscles and nerves. Manipulation improves the circulation, which, in turn, creates a normal blood supply, enabling the body to heal itself.
Naturopaths: NDs or doctors of naturopathy employ various natural means to empower an individual to achieve the highest level of health possible. NDs may use a variety of natural healing techniques, including clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, Oriental medicine, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, physical medicine (including massage and therapeutic manipulation), counseling and other psychotherapies and minor surgery. In several states they are licensed to write prescriptions for naturally derived drugs, including antibiotics and nystatin, one of the antifungals effective against candida yeast overgrowth.
Chiropractors: More than 50,000 DCs (doctors of chiropractic) practice in the United States and Canada. Some of these licensed health professionals restrict their practices to treatment of neuromusculoskeletal and orthopedic conditions. However, many chiropractors include clinical nutrition, dietary therapy, exercise training, lifestyle modification, environmental control and mind/body techniques. They are also trained in diagnosis and laboratory assessment and often work with other specialists. Some also have expressed an interest in helping patients with yeast-related illnesses.
Nurse Practitioners: In most states, NPs and Advanced NPs are qualified to diagnose many common and some chronic illnesses and provide long-term care working in collaboration with a physician. Nurse practitioners are usually registered nurses who have specialties in a specific field, such as gerontology, women's health, midwifery, cardiology care, etc. NPs are sometimes primary care providers for wellness exams.
Physicians' Assistants: These are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery and, in most states write prescriptions. Some practice in rural clinics under the supervision of a physician, but the physician may not always be present.
Although NDs, NPs and PAs in many states can prescribe nystatin, you'll probably need a medical doctor to prescribe and monitor Diflucan, Nizoral, Sporanox or other systemic antifungal medications. In my opinion, these drugs are the "first team" and are needed to overcome many of the yeast-connected problems I've described in this blog - along with an appropriate diet.
If your gynecologist, family physician or internist is kind and caring, even though skeptical of "the yeast connection," this still may be the best person to help you. Write your physician a letter and say something like this:
Thank you for your patience you're shown in listening to my many complaints and for the help you've given me. In spite of the tests and therapies I have received, I'm continuing to experience health problems that I feel may be yeast-related. Will you work with me?
I realize that you may not believe Candida albicans plays a significant part in causing my symptoms. I can understand your point of view because I've read medical reports that concluded that the relationship of yeast to many chronic disorders is "speculative and unproven."
I've also learned that no laboratory will determine absolutely whether or not my problems are candida-related. However, observations by reputable physicians I've read about in Dr. William Crook's books show that many of my symptoms can be helped if I change my diet and take Diflucan, nystatin or other antifungal medications.
Although I realize that these medications and dietary changes will not provide a "quick fix" for my problems, I feel they would be steps in the right direction.
You might want to add a diary of your medical troubles as a reminder, for example:
December 1999: Bronchitis, given a course of antibiotics.
February 2000: Vaginitis, given Monistat.
May 2001: Sinus infection, given more antibiotics.
July 2001: Two migraine attacks, given Imitrex. Migraines continue every 4--6 weeks.
November 2001: Doctor visit for muscle and joint pain, lack of energy, constipation.
January 2002: Doctor visit, no energy. Doctor suggests I might be depressed.
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| Ways To Treat Yeast Infection |
February 2002: Bronchitis again, more antibiotics.
March 2002: Doctor visit - Bronchitis better, no energy. Told to take multivitamins.
April 2002: Vaginitis again. More Monistat. Takes two weeks to clear up this time.
May 2002: Doctor visit. Still no energy. Joint pain continues.
To find out more, you can check out Ways To Treat Yeast Infection.