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You have probably heard of gluten and lactose intolerance cases before, but not too many people have heard about yeast intolerance. Put simply, if you are yeast intolerant your body produces too much Candida.

Candida is a yeast-like fungus which is present on the bodies of all people, usually thriving in the moist areas of the body, such as in the mouth, the vagina, and inside the intestines. Since most people’s bodies have a good amount of bacterium present, it basically balances out the growth of Candida. Then again, there are others who see it become unbalanced, the Candida multiplies and eventually they become intolerant.

This is commonly referred to as yeast intolerance, or what experts call “Candidiasis”. If you ask a physician about this in today’s world, he/she will tell you that Candidiasis can contribute to several other health disorders like disturbed bowel function, as well as discomfort around the abdominal area.

It’s also believed that a person’s diet can have a direct impact on Candidiasis, given that the fungi thrives on simple sugars, fermented foods, cheese, and alcoholic beverages.

So it’s no surprise that healthier individuals can avoid this issue all together. It is only when your immune system becomes compromised that the fungi are able to take hold and begin multiplying rapidly.

Some people treat yeast intolerance with prescribed antibiotics, but the issue here is that the antibiotics actually destroy the good bacterium that balances the Candida. You can find several different medications out there – both prescription and over-the-counter – that can help, but you need to be aware of possible side-effects.

Hormone imbalances can also trigger Candidiasis, as can stress and a poor diet. When this occurs the body can’t deal with toxins properly.

People suffering from Candidiasis will almost always experience cravings for sweet foods and drinks, which once again shows us that the condition can, to a large extent, be controlled by eating a special diet which doesn’t include any of the foods on which Candida thrive. Feelings of being bloated are common amongst people suffering from Candidiasis, and most sufferers will also find themselves having to deal with excessive gas.

Many people suffering from the condition will also experience persistent diarrhoea and headaches, and in some cases, mouth ulcers may also be present. The good news is this can all go away if you put yourself on a yeast-free diet. For some people, this sort of a diet may only need to be followed until the symptoms have disappeared, but for others, the diet may need to become a permanent part of their lives.

Yeast-free diets eliminate all problematic foods; things like cheese, yogurt, and other fermented dairy foods. With that said, it is sometimes possible for a person to introduce these foods back into their diet providing they do it in a controlled manner, and providing they maintain the correct balance. Generally, a person suffering from this condition will be advised to follow a yeast free diet for at least three months before they start eating any foods which contain yeast.

Yeast intolerance can be a very annoying problem and if you don’t take the necessary precautions it can take over your life. Relief begins with a proper diet and making the right changes to suit your body. This doesn’t have to be a drastic change, but just enough to provide balance to the Candida. Eventually the natural bacteria will be able to keep it in check and give you more control over your life.

Bruxism, or teeth grinding as it is more commonly known, is an oral parafunctional activity. Although sometimes incorrectly cited as a reflex chewing activity, it is actually classified as a habit. Researchers classify bruxism as habitual behavior and a sleep disorder. Typically occurring nocturnally, it’s a habit that can occur during waking hours as well. Many who suffer from bruxism may not even be aware they have the condition; in fact, only 5% of bruxers actually present with any symptoms. Here we discuss some of the signs, symptoms and factors associated with the condition of bruxism.

Triggers – Stress is the number one trigger, however digestive ailments and heredity are also thought to contribute to bruxism.

Signs – Although the bruxer may be unaware of the condition, jaw pain, headaches, abnormal wear patterns in the teeth and tooth fractures can all be signs that someone is a habitual teeth grinder. Dental damage generally occurs over time. Bruxism is the leading cause of occlusal trauma and a significant cause of tooth loss and gum recession.

Effects – Teeth may move against each other laterally with a side-to-side motion, involving the temperomandibular joints, leading to TMJ dysfunction. Teeth affected by previous drilling or decay are particularly susceptible to collapsing from the cyclic pressure exerted during bruxism episodes. This can lead to costly procedures such as root canal treatments and replacement crowns.

Symptoms – There are a number of symptoms associated with bruxism. They include anxiety, stress, tension, depression, earache, eating disorders, headache, insomnia and painful jaws.

Associated factors – Medical disorders such as OCD and Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases can be contributing factors. The use of stimulant drugs and SSRIs can also lead to excessive teeth grinding, as can high intake of caffeine, heavy consumption of alcohol, smoking, other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or snoring, and a hypersensitivity to dopamine receptors in the brain.

Treatment – Dental guards, or splints, can be custom fit by a dentist to the shape of the teeth from a mold. The dentist will measure and fit the mouth guard, to be worn at night, and provide ongoing supervision for its usage. Although not a cure for bruxism, treatment goals will include prevention of damage to temperomandibular joints, minimization of gradual changes to teeth positions that lead to occlusion, prevention of tooth damage, and enabling the user to judge bruxism patterns by examination of patterns made in the surface of the splint. Awareness of the habit can help reduce the frequency of bruxism episodes. Biofeedback is also available, but has been met with mixed results.

Bruxism, while not uncommon, is a sleep disorder that can lead to a number of physical ailments. Leaving the condition untreated can result in significant damage to teeth and gums and result in expensive dental procedures. Recognition of symptoms and early treatment is the best defense to avoid such issues.