Posts Tagged ‘candida yeast infection’
Here is 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. The classification of the genera and specie has evolved over the years.
The genus Candida includes about 150 different species. However, only a few are known to cause human infections. The most significant of these 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 controlled by other microorganisms and the immune system.
About 20% of healthy women have low numbers of candida in their vagina without noticing a yeast infection.
If the balance of different kinds of bacteria in the vagina is upset it may allow over-growth of the candida cialis daily generic yeast.
Risk factors are:
Douching
Hormones that are out of balance
Stress
Pregnancy
Oral contraceptives
Yeast spread from the anus
The glycerin in some lubricants
Diabetes
Antibiotics
Antibacterials
Diet
People are more likely to get a Candida yeast infection if their immune system is weakened.In extreme cases the local yeast infections of the skin and mucous membranes can enter the bloodstream, causing a systemic yeast infection.
Female yeast infection of the genitals is more common than in males. The causes include sexual intercourse with an infected partner along with low immunity, the use of antibiotics, and diabetes.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a candida yeast infection vary depending on the area affected.
Infection of the vagina or vulva may cause severe itching, burning, soreness, and irritation, and a whitish or whitish-gray discharge, often with a curd-like appearance.
The male genitals can get red sores with severe itching and a burning sensation. Penis yeast infection can also have a white or watery discharge, although this is not common.It's quite common to have a yeast infection without localized symptoms.
Diagnosis
Physicians usually use microscopic examination and/or culturing to diagnose yeast infections.
A swab or scraping from the infected area is put on a slide and diagnosed by light microscopy.10% potassium hydroxide solution is applied.The candida cells can be viewed when the solution dissolves the skin cells.
The swab is put on a culture medium and incubated to allow the yeast to grow, if present.The pattern of growth may give a diagnosis of the cause of 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.
To get rid of yeast infections completely you need to change the environment the yeast is growing in.A holistic and natural approach is usually needed.
