Hi,
I'm a male 20 yr old health fanatic.I have been getting these for pretty much since early high school.Now I have recently have been diagnosed with candidiasis -a yeast overgrowth generally contracted in the bowels or mouth.
the symptoms are:
chronic fatigue,deppression,gastrointestinal cramps,rectal itching,allergies(food and air born),severe premenstrual syndrome,impotence,memory loss,severe mood swings and feeling mentally disturbed,Recurrent fungal infections such as "jock itch"athletes foot,or ring worm,extreme sensitivity to chemicals,perfumes,smoke,or other odors,recurrent vaginal or urinary infections,prostatitis and a feeling of being lightheaded or drunk after minimal wine,beer or certain foods.these symptoms worsen in moldy places(basements)or in damp climates,and of course after eating or drinking yeast or foods containing sugar.
Anyway moving on.I have to agree with the person who posted about garlic making them go away-but that's like cleaning a chopping block.in other words as soon as you stop cleaning it,it will get messy again.But don't get me wrong it certainly helps quite a bit!
So Being said that garlic is a natural anti-bacterial it makes sense how this can help if it's a bacterial infection.
Now I'm not trying to imply we all have candidiasis but it seems that I would have agree with the stress related post as well.
Since I have this condition when I receive lots of second hand smoke from going in and out of my workplace from people who smoke directly in front of the "do not smoke within 25 feet of this building"sign- I later on notice I will cough some of these up later on it in the day(not coughing hard either).I also noticed these would show up after inhaling smoke from other things such as,when something falls underneath the coil on the stove and burns,when I sand a project and I end up breathing in the wood dust or when someone sprays axe in close proximity.So that would be stress on the body -or respiratory system to be exact.
I think twice in my life when I had a intense argument with someone I knew well about a topic that was very serious and tense.I remember after or during a quite time during this hours long argument I found me spitting up these nasty yellow cous-cous sized smelly chunks that smell like plaque.
Certain food have caused it as well,but my memory for those are not so good.
I do remember one night (before I found out about be condition) I got extremely intoxicated to the point that even a tablespoon of alcohol would have sent me to the hospital for alcohol poisoning.I threw up in the toilet(I had drank a half a texas mickey of appleton estate with various other whiskeys and such) and then blacked out in my bed.The next morning I had a bad hang over(usually I didn't get these) and spat up ridiculous amounts of the yellow chunks.
I know potatoes and bread cause these for me as well.
Long story short,with my condition I was able to recognize and test stressors(things that cause stress on the body) in my life and found these would show up. It seems like what the other guy was saying about the body moving toxins and creating these but it actually could be the stessors that lower the immune system and cause the bacteria population to flourish.
Hope I helped.
Phew!! Thanks a lot ppl.. I thought i am having some condition... I have acidity problem so I guessed there is some link between the two(white chunks and acidity) .. Now all I have to do is gargle thoroughly before going to bed.
To Hellen:
Your experience proves that the tonsils are not the main reason for this problem - only one of its manifestations. You (in my view) have also got your finger on the pulse of the problem - fungal infection. Hope this following info will help you and all other looking for some solution sort it out:
1. Background - I've been having this problem (horrid smelling chunks coming out of my throat) for many years. I'm non-smoker, vegetarian, healthy lifestyle, etc., etc. However, I've chronic sinus issues, probably allergies (just need to test to what exactly) and other issues - like frequent candida rush (I'm a male) in my early sex life.
2. Issue - when breath related problems started appearing (in my mid 20'ies) the doctors I went to had all kind of suggestions, which didn't work. I started doing my own research, and the more I read, the more I came close to the idea that candida had a role to play in all this. I asked my doctor to test me for that (and the results came positive). I met her few months later and she thanked me so much for opening her eyes to this problem - it turned out it was quite common. I'm saying this just to point out majority of doctors are fully unaware of the issue.
3. Research - I've read this and other threads on the issue and few things pop out:
A. Tonsiloliths (tonsil stones) is not the source, it's one of the possible manifestations of the problem. A number of people (like you) who had their tonsils removed report the problem. Your case is a clear proof of that since you have had all traces of tonsils removed and still got the problem.
B. As many people report, it comes down their nasopharynx (sinus passes) - this has been the case with me too.
C. It is affected by diet - especially when consuming sugars and other carbohydrate food (potatoes, rice, etc.), as many above had reported, .
D. It always smells the same way - so theory of food being trapped is not really sound (as someone mentioned it's difficult to imagine how spinach will turn into this whitish stuff).
4. Conclusions (mine at least) - Candida (or as it is more commonly known - Yeast)
A. Candida (more specifically the 'albicans' species) is a type of fungus, which is part of our normal body flora. New research indicates that almost 80% of the population has this fungus in their body flora. Under normal conditions, it actually helps our body beat up bad bacteria etc. Also, under normal conditions, candida is kept within norm by our immune system.
B. For some reasons (mostly linked to stress and other conditions, which weaken the immune system), at such moments candida starts rapid overgrow, which results in vaginal discharge, oral thrush or other problems, well known to doctors. The oral thrush (if you had it) is very similar in color and smell to the whitish chunks. These are the ultimate manifestations of candidosis (yeast infection) - in many cases it is not so well manifested, but can still affect the internal membranes of the body (sinuses included).
C. It is known that candida (when it gets chronic) can colonize internal mucus membranes. Sinuses are covered with this kind of membrane and provide excellent breeding ground for candida. The only thing left is food.
D. As with all other types of fungus - candida feeds on sugar, other carbohydrates and lower class yeast. We don't notice it much, but we are submerged in a sugar and carbohydrates ocean. In fact. today we consume, in 1 day, as much sugary stuff, as probably our predecessors 2000 years ago had in whole month or 2. That explains why it becomes more and more prolific. As to lower class yeast - some people report the problem exacerbates after consuming lots of beer and blue cheeses (I have not come across such research results, but in my experience this is somewhat true).
5. Recommendations (what has worked for me)
A. First and utmost - cut the sugar and carb food intake - we can do with much less than we normally intake. Another thing to remember (and it has been proven by research) - the more candida overgrows, the more sugar our body will require, as candida takes it from our blood and this makes our body crave for more and more.
B. It has been mentioned in the first part - Neti-pot. Lot has been written about this technique - and it is important to do it right - but yes it clears out most of the candida overgrowth. Salt is natural enemy to fungus and bacteria, but be careful with the quantities. [Another way of doing it - when you are at the sea, try to do a backward sault in the water. Water will get into your sinuses (sometimes quite tingling - make sure the sea is clean and clear). Then drain them well (jumping on each leg, with head slanted in that direction) and then sun-bath your sinuses (using sun-block protection). This has worked very well for me].
C. Avoid antibiotics as much as possible - they weaken the immune system and typically after such treatment candida starts overgrowth (resulting in vaginal discomfort and discharge, as women know well).
Few final words - check your throat / nasopharynx for candida (it's an easy and not-expensive test). The prescribed medicine (nystatine and newer drugs) has only temporary effect. The reason - candida is hard to clear out, it's well presented in our habitat and hence easy to pick it up from the surroundings. It is also known to be transferred from mothers to their babies during pregnancy (which explains why some younger children have it). For most part - candida is something to live with, just make sure it stays within norms: less sugar and carbs, less processed food, exercise.
Some vitamin supplements help the issue, as well (especially those boosting immune system - vir. D,, vit. C, vit. B complex, zinc and others - however, make sure you don't have an auto-immune condition, where immune system 'over-works' itself).
Since candida consumes a lot of your blood sugar, it often creates condition of low energy, fatigue, etc. I've noticed your doctors have diagnosed your condition as 'Post viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS)' - remember a lot of these 'syndroms' are just another way of doctors saying - 'we know there is a problem, but we have no clue what causes it or why it manifests in this way'.
Another thing to remember - overgrowth of candida causes the immune system to go into 'battle mode', as it tries to get candida under control. This in turn causes substantial energy deficiency, since the immune system consume a lot of energy. The result - feeling tired, no energy, etc (similar to when you get mild flue). The way to overcome this - moderate exercise, clean air (walk in the park, mountain, etc.). Remember - under normal conditions our bodies can deal with candida without outside help.
Few other things that help against candida - lactobacilus (the bacteria in yoghurt, but it has to be 'live' type, most of those in the supermarkets have all bacillus killed to ensure longer shell life), vinegar (preferably apple one, but again one made from apples and live), some herbs (like camomil, green tea, turmeric and others - lots of info on the net).
As to the breath problem (where it all started for me) - gargling with stronger mouth wash (with alcohol, etc.) keeps the problem under control. It also kills the candida which could be on and in the tonsils (by the way a quite useful organ, as latest research indicates).
Sorry for the long post, hope it will be of help to those of you searching for answers.
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