Yeast infections.

Read More About Fitness

First a little introductory information on candida 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. Throughout the years, evolution of the classification of the genera and specie has occurred.

There are about 150 different species of the genus Candida. Few are known to infect humans, however. The most significant of these is Candida albicans. Other types of bacteria include, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candida dubliniensis, and Candida lusitaniae.

Yeast that is commonly found in the body is candida yeasts, and their growth is usually limited. The human immune system controls the growth of microorganisms and bacteria.

According to some researches, a noticeable number of Candida albicans in the vagina, without a trace of yeast infection exist in 20% of healthy women from developed countries.

The normal vaginal flora consists largely of lactic acid bacteria such as lactobacilli, and if that balance is upset there can be an overgrowth of Candida, causing a yeast infection.

Risk factors are:

Douching
Hormone imbalances
Stress
Pregnancy
Oral contraceptives
Contamination from the anus
Lubricants containing glycerin
Diabetes mellitus
Antibiotics
Antibacterials
Diet
People are more likely to get a Candida yeast infection if their immune system is weakened. Systemic Candida infections may occur during extreme cases when the superficial infections of the skin and mucous membranes enter the bloodstream.

Men get yeast infection far less frequently than women do. Causes consist of sexual intercourse with someone who is infected along with low immunity, using antibiotics, and having diabetes.

Symptoms

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

Symptoms of an infection of the vagina or vulva include, severe itching, burning, soreness, and irritation, and a whitish, or gray discharge, which has a curd-like appearance.

Male symptoms of yeast infections include red patchy sores, extreme itching, or a burning feeling. Candidiasis of the penis can also have a white discharge, although uncommon. You might still have the infection despite a lack of symptoms at the onset.

Diagnosis
To diagnose yeast infections, medical doctors either uses a microscopic examination combined with/or culturing.

When diagnosing by light microscopy, a scraping or swab is taken from the area and placed on a microscope slide. One drop of ten percent potassium hydroxide should then be added to the specimen. Candida cells can be clearly visible, undamaged; by dissolving the skin cells with the solution.

The culturing procedure involves swabbing on a culture medium and incubating it at 37 degrees C for several days until the yeast or bacteria grows. The characteristics of the growths may allow an initial diagnosis of the organism that is causing the disease symptoms.

Candida is typically cured with antifungal drugs that come in pills, creams or suppositories for vaginal yeast infections.

This treatment is usually effective, but symptoms may reappear in several weeks.

To really stop the recurring candida yeast infections permanently it's important to change and keep healthy the environment within the body, where the yeast grows. One should use a holistic or natural method.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Janet Jamieson was a long term sufferer of yeast infections. She discovered natural, holistic ways to heal herself, and has now been totally free of yeast infection for nearly two years. Go and click on Janet's website at haltyeastinfection.com .

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Fitness Articles Via RSS!

Additional Articles From - Home | Fitness

Our other websites
All about SEO
Beauty Tips Forum

	Print This Article
	Post Comment
	Add To Favorites
	Email to Friends
	Ezine Ready

Submit Articles
Member Login
Link Us
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Article RSS Feeds
Sitemap

New Stuff
About Us
Developer
Good shopping portal
Link to Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service