What is yeast infection?
Yeast infection is an infection that is caused by the overgrowth of a fungus. Yeast infections (or fungal infection) are normally caused by an organism called Candida albicans or Candidacies.
Candida albicans and other forms of yeast are grown in the vagina, rectum and mouth. Candida albicans is the most common type which is responsible for about 90% of all yeast infections. Candidiasis is a very common cause of vaginal irritation, or vaginitis, and can also occur on the male genitals.
In immuno compromised patients, Candida infections can affect the esophagus with the potential of becoming systemic, causing a much more serious condition, a fungemia called candidemia.
Children, mostly between the ages of three and nine years of age, can be affected by chronic mouth yeast infections, normally seen around the mouth as white patches. However, this is not a common condition.
Is it common?
It is predictable that 80-90% of the population suffers from some sort of systemic yeast infection. They have become accustomed to the symptoms and just accept them as part of their daily lives. It can and does vary from person to person. The symptoms may differ based on the weaknesses in particular genetic setup. This may be part of the reason that there are so a lot of different categories and types of yeast symptoms.
The most common type of yeast infection is vaginal yeast infection. More than 75% of all women will experience at least one vaginal yeast infection during her life and several are plagued by repeated yeast infections.
What causes vaginal yeast infection?
A vaginal yeast infection is a surplus growth of yeast cells in the vagina. A healthy vagina in general contains many bacteria and small numbers of yeast cells. The most ordinary bacteria found in the vagina is Lactobacillus acidophilus. It helps prevent other organisms like yeast, from growing in excess and causing an infection.
Candida is often there in the normal flora of the vagina, however, when the normal pH stability of the vagina changes or when the hormonal balance changes the yeast can multiply. Yeast infections are extremely common in women of childbearing age but can happen at any age. Although they can be painful, vaginal yeast infections hardly ever lead to serious health problems.
Factors that may cause yeast overgrowth are:
* Exhaustion and stress
* Hormonal fluctuations through the menstrual cycle and menopause
* Poor individual hygiene, poorly freshen clothing and underwear
* Wearing a moist bathing suit or pantyhose for an unlimited time
* Not drying the outer vaginal part thoroughly after bathing
* Oral contraceptives, pregnancy, diabetes
* Perfumed female hygiene sprays
* High carbohydrate eating, especially refined sugars and alcohol
* Several pharmaceutical prescriptions and use of antibiotics
* Vaginal intercourse with insufficient lubrication
* Other causes can be irritants like soaps, powders, new detergents
Symptoms
The following symptoms might vary from very gentle to severe:
* Burning and flaming of the female genitals
* Aching urination
* Painful intercourse
* Odour
* Itching of the vagina
* Vulva ruddiness and swelling
* Vaginal discharge is not forever present and may be minimal, but when present may be cottage-cheese-like in nature.
In men, symptoms include red patchy sores near the head of the penis or on the foreskin, severe itching, and/or a burning sensation. Candidiasis of the penis can also have a white discharge, although uncommon. However, having no symptoms at all is common, and usually, a more severe form of the symptoms may emerge later.
Tips to avoid yeast infections
Although it may not be possible to completely evade vaginal yeast infections, there are steps one can take to minimize the risk of developing one.
1. Do not use perfumed soaps. Perfumes irritate the vaginal area. Candida albicans, the fungus that causes yeast infections are allowed to grow out of control when the good bacteria of the vagina are decreased by the perfume in the soaps. Use a non-deodorant soap to clean this delicate area and rinse thoroughly.
2. Avoid antibiotics whenever possible. Antibiotics, when taken for the full ten day course, cause vaginal yeast infections. Eat yogurt. The live bacterial cultures counteract the effects of the antibiotics.
3. Dry the outside vaginal area thoroughly after a shower, bath or swim. Change out of a damp bathing suit or damp workout clothes as soon as possible. Fungus and other kinds of bacteria love moist, wet places on the body.
4. Wear cotton underwear and avoid nylon and Lycra as much as possible. Tight fitting underwear and pants increase the heat in the vaginal area.
5. Do not use vaginal deodorants or deodorant tampons and do not douche unless the doctor tells to do so. Douching and deodorants might disturb the vaginal environment.
6. Post menopausal women and women who use oral contraceptives may find with a vaginal lubricant during sexual contact helpful in preventing vaginal uneasiness and irritation.
7. Yeast is a usual inhabitant of the intestinal tract. Always wipe from front to backside after a bowel movement or urination to stop transferring yeast to the vaginal area.
8. Care must be taken during sexual intercourse to avoid vaginal infections from occurring due to infectivity with organisms from the bowel or rectum.
Vaginal yeast infections are not life threatening, but they can interrupt your daily life. Following a few simple tips will keep this pesky problem at bay. Consult the physician if there is no improvement within 3 to 7 days.
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