Yeast Infection Causes and Treatment

By Robert Kokoska

When it comes to yeast, the body is very familiar with this common fungus. It is present in the bowels, digestive tract, mouth, skin, and vagina on an everyday basis. Our bodies effectively fight off this fungus until there is a reason for the immune system to turn its attention to other parts of the body, or that same immune system is compromised by the use of antibiotics.

The use of antibiotics in Western society is the most common reason for yeast infections. Antibiotics often do such a great job at fighting off bacteria that the good bacteria in the body, the bacteria that fights off the fungus associated with a yeast infection, is killed along with the bad bacteria. When this happens, the fungus overgrows and a yeast infection occurs.

While yeast infections are most commonly associated with the vagina and women, men have just as much a chance of contracting a yeast infection as women do. Sexual contact is the most common pathway for the transmission of yeast infections. Yeast infections can be transferred to the genital area of the man through unprotected vaginal intercourse, or the oral cavity through unprotected oral intercourse.

When the fungal infection is contracted through vaginal intercourse, the treatment for men is the same as the treatment for women. A cycle of anti-fungal cream in common cases and an oral anti-fungal prescription medication in more severe cases.

Oral yeast infections, are also known as thrush. Thrush can be characterized by the thick white covering of mucus over the tongue and sides of the mouth, often spreading to the lips. Thrush is treated with oral anti-fungal prescription medications.

While yeast is very common in the body, most infections are caused by a yeast overgrowth in the bowel. Some of the most common factors associated with an overgrowth of yeast in the body include:

  • High levels of stress
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Poor dietary choices
  • Use of antibiotics
  • Use of oral contraceptives (women)
  • Diabetes

The body is naturally able to fight off fungal infections as the result of yeast overgrowth when the body is in top shape. In order to better human health and prevent the occurrence of yeast infections:

  • Maintain a healthy diet with plenty of rest. When the body is not rested, the immune system can falter and an increase in yeast growth may occur.
  • Practice safe sex. Sexually transmitted yeast is common and can occur both orally and genitally.
  • Wear light fitting clothing in the summer. Tight fitting clothing does not allow the skin and genital areas to breathe. Air exchange can prevent the overgrowth of fungus.
  • Never wear clothing that causes sweating. Yeast loves moisture, so preventing sweat from accumulating and resting on the skin, especially the genital areas will reduce the chance of a yeast infection.

Yeast infections are a part of human health that nearly every person will have to deal with at least once in a lifetime. These conditions are highly treatable and preventable with a look into what causes this fungal infection and the risk factors for increased chances of yeast infections.

The Natural Cure for Yeast Infection has become the most popular and effective yeast infection treatment available online today. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Kokoska

Candida Yeast Infection - What it is and How to Cure It

By Janet Jamieson

Let's start with a little scientific background on yeast infections.

According to Wikipedia, the genus Candida and species Candida albicans were described in 1923 by botanist Christine Marie Berkhout in her doctoral thesis at the University of Utrecht. Over time the classification of the genera and specie has evolved.

There are about 150 species of candida. Most do not cause infections in humans. The most significant is candida albicans. Others include Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candida dubliniensis, and Candida lusitaniae.

Although candida yeasts can usually be found in the body, their growth is normally limited. Growth is kept down by the human immune system and by other microorganisms, including bacteria.

About one fifth of women have small numbers of candida in their vagina, yet do not have a noticeable yeast infection.

If the balance of different kinds of bacteria in the vagina is upset it may allow overgrowth of the candida yeast.

Risk factors are:

  • Douching
  • Imbalances of hormones
  • Stress
  • Pregnancy
  • Oral contraceptives
  • Yeast spread from the anus
  • Lubricants that have glycerin in them
  • Diabetes
  • Antibiotics
  • Antibacterials
  • The food you eat

People are more likely to get a Candida yeast infection if their immune system is weakened. A candida infection can, in extreme cases, get into the bloodstream, causing systemic yeast infection.

Male genital yeast infection is much less common than that in females. Amongst the causes are low immunity, taking antibiotics, diabetes and sexual intercourse with an infected partner.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a candida yeast infection vary depending on the area affected.

When there is a vaginal infection the symptoms might include itching, burning and pain along with a discharge.

Male yeast infections can include red patchy sores on the genitals, with an itching or burning feeling. Penis yeast infection can also have a white or watery discharge, although this is not common. In fact, having no symptoms at all is common, and more severe symptoms may show up at a later time.

Diagnosis

Physicians usually use microscopic examination and/or culturing to diagnose yeast infections.

A scraping or swab is put on a microscope slide. 10% potassium hydroxide solution is applied. The solution leaves the candida cells intact while dissolving the skin cells.

The swab is put on a culture medium and incubated to allow the yeast to grow, if present. The way they grow may allow a diagnosis of what is causing the disease.

Treatment

Candida is most commonly treated with antifungal drugs in the form of pills, creams or suppositories in the case of vaginal candida yeast infection.

This is usually an effective treatment, but symptoms night come back in a few weeks or months.

In order tostop recurring yeast infections it's important to keep the environment in the body healthy, so that the yeast does not proliferate. A holistic and natural approach is usually needed. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Jamieson

Genital Yeast Infection

By Vashti Williams

A genital yeast infection can really be uncomfortable and left unchecked it can be dangerous too. Yeast infections are one of the most annoying maladies because of the itch and seemingly constant uncomfortable feeling. Anything medical having to do with the genitals is serious no matter whether it has long term effects or is just really painful and causing constant a nuisance. It is especially inconvenient when it sneaks up on you and you don't have the ability or time to see a doctor. There are OTC remedies out there, unfortunately as you may know not too many of them work.

The OTC drugs that have been on the market to fight genital yeast infections have for the most part been pretty ineffective at not only controlling the symptoms but actually getting rid of the infection itself. There is nothing worse than putting your faith in a drug and having it not do what it is supposed to. And, up until now the OTC remedies have been messy creams and ointments that are just about as uncomfortable as the infection itself. It's true that some of the drugs out there mask the some of the symptoms of the infection but they don't actually suppress all of them. What good is that?

Now you can get genital yeast infection relief over the counter in a homeopathic spray that is not effective ion relieving all of the symptoms of yeast infections. Some people don't even realize that there are symptoms other than the itching which may go undetected as part of a yeast infection. These can include but are not limited to mouth ulcers, bloating, depression, vaginal or penile discharge and skin rashes. With this new homeopathic remedy all of those symptom and many more can get relief. And, all it takes is three squirts of the remedy under your tongue which quickly gets into your bloodstream and starts relieving symptom almost immediately. So, there will be no messy creams, no pills to take and no embarrassing applicators.

Genital yeast infections need to be taken seriously and when fighting them you need to use a serious weapon. Now you have that serious yeast fighting weapon and your relief is only a few sprays away. The main thing to remember is not to let the infection get too far, treat it as soon as you see any symptoms. A lingering yeast infection can mean serious trouble. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vashti_Williams