Candida Albicans is a yeast like fungus normally present in the human body primarily on mucous membranes.  However, if an immune system is comprimised Candida can flourish to unhealthy levels systemically.  It is common for immune system comprimise to occur with use of antibiotics.  Often children with autism present with ear infections or symptoms that would appear to mimmick an ear infection.  With obvious communication obstructions, it is even for difficult for children to project their symptoms to their parents.

The first mistake is the common  practice to diagnose acute otitis media (aom) with a brief history and minimal physical exam including a brief otoscopic visual exam.  Often there is no culturing or other testing for pathogens.  At this point it is common for the physician to prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic.  This creates a problem on two fronts.  First, the question has to be asked if antibiotics were even indicated.  Studies presented in JAMA show that antibiotics have not been shown to shorten acute symptoms nor prevent secondary infections.  Parents are better suited to manage symptoms of discomfort and monitor the normal self limiting course of the condition.  Unfortunately parents are often guilty of pressuring their physician into prescribing antibiotics even when not indicated.

Second, the rampant growth of antibiotic resistant strains has created such an epidemic that the government has issued guidelines in an attempt to minimize utilization of antibiotics. I’ll expand on these issues in future entries.  For now it’s important for parents to understand the inherent risks associated with broad spectrum antibiotic use.

The proliferation of yeast is often treated using antifungal agents such as diflucan, nystatin or ketoconosal.  Supplementing with good bacteria such as acidophilus and eliminating yeast promoting foods from the diet are very important in restoring candida to healthy levels.  Other supplements that have been shown to help are caprylic acid, garlic, and colloidal silver.  There is much debate over the use of antifungal agents both in efficacy and duration of treatments.  I would limit the use of these agents for extreme cases.

More research is beginning to surface about the yeast-autism connection but parents should only view this association as peripheral.  In any condition it is fundamentally important to have a healthy immune system and systemic balance.  Keeping Candida to healthy levels is a very important part of this process.  Minimizing exposure to broad spectrum antibiotics is a step in the right direction.  If unhealthy levels are present there are treatment options available to restore balance to the system.