Most yeast infections are caused by the fungus Candida Albicans.  Most of the time yeast infections will resolve themselves except in people with weakened or immature immune systems. Infants are prone to suffering from yeast infections as their immune systems are fully developed.

Other situations can lead to yeast infections in babies, these include:

• Use of antibiotics. Though an antibiotic is useful when fixing a bacterial infection in the ear or throat, antibiotics are not specific to go just to the ear or the throat. As a result the normal bacteria in the body can be decreased with antibiotics leading to a yeast infection. Without the balancing of the bacteria the yeast will overgrow.
• In sensitive individuals a dietary imbalance with a die high in sugar or sweets can lead to an overgrowth of yeast. This happens since yeast's main growing food is sugar.

No matter whether you call it chronic yeast infection or recurrent yeast infection, it’s a major life challenge for people who have them. Even with the numerous medications available, both prescription and over the counter, for many people it’s like a revolving door. One yeast infection stops and then when you least expect it another yeast infection starts.

There are many natural home remedies, which work fairly well with the occasional yeast infection. But with the chronic yeast infection or recurrent yeast infection you’re probably better off doing the one-two punch method.  Combine the natural and medical methods for the best outcome.

The challenge is many people hear natural and think harmless. Not necessarily so. Every medication has an effect, as they are all chemicals-some man made and some not.

Why Do Chronic Yeast Infections Or Recurrent Yeast Infections Happen?

Chronic or recurring yeast infections happen for a number of reasons. It may be from a compromised immune system such as HIV infections. People with uncontrolled diabetes also have a tendency towards chronic yeast infections. Those using steroid inhalers for asthma and other lung conditions are also susceptible to recurrent yeast infections.

But by far the most common cause of recurrent yeast infections is taking antibiotics for another infection in the body. Most antibiotics are general type medications. The antibiotic kills not only the bacteria causing the infection but other bacteria as well.

Since the body keeps itself in a state of balance the antibiotic trying to correct the infection by eliminating the infection causing bacteria over corrects. As a result many people have other bacteria killed in their body leading to diarrhea and yeast infections.

The diarrhea and yeast infections happen because the helpful or balancing bacteria was killed along with the harmful bacteria.

The usual treatment of bacterial vaginosis is antibiotics. The most commonly used antibiotics are Flagyl (metrondazole) either by pill oral or vaginal  creams.

Metronidazole is not given during early pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. It also is not used when breast feeding because of the risk to the baby.

The challenge with using these antibiotics is antibiotics change the balance in the vagina leading  to a yeast infection. Then you have not just one but two problems at the same time. Bacterial vaginosis is especially difficult to treat.

It can reoccur even with successful treatment. Almost 50% of al women treated have another episode within one year. It still is unknown as to why this happens.

What are complications of bacterial vaginosis?

If the symptoms disappear there is no special follow up needed.

pregnancy it is important to closely monitor the mother  and the baby. Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy is much more serious. It can lead to premature labor, low birth weight babies, and infection of the amniotic fluids and uterus.
This is why if you have a history of premature births you will be screen for bacterial vaginosis during subsequent pregnancies.

When a healthcare provider is talking with a woman complaining of unusual vaginal discharge there will be a number of questions asked to determine the actual cause of the vaginal discharge. Some of the questions will include:

• Whether or not fever is present?
• Is there pain in the pelvis or vaginal area?
• Have there been new or multiple sexual partners (was there unprotected sex)?
• Is there a history of sexually transmitted diseases?

There will also be a physical exam including a pelvic exam. The health care provider will check the vagina, its lining and the cervix. In addition the ovaries, and uterus will be checked. Samples will be taken to check for chlamydia or gonorrhea infections.

The samples taken of the vaginal discharge will be checked under the microscope. One can easily tell the difference between yeast infection (candidiasis) and trichomonas (sexually transmitted infection) under the microscope.

Bacterial vaginosis has several key identifiers. One is a particular type of cell called a clue cell. It is considered the definite identifying mark of bacterial vaginosis. The pH is greater than 4.5.  In addition women with bacterial vaginosis have less of the protective bacteria lactobacilli.

Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal condition happening when the normal bacteria in the vagina overgrow.  It’s happens when the normal balancing systems of the body are overwhelmed or not effective.

The key sign of this condition is a vaginal discharge, which is foul often described as fishy. Usually bacterial vaginosis is not dangerous, but it can cause problems especially in women who are pregnant. If you have an unusual vaginal discharge you should check with your health care provider to make sure it is not a more serious infection such a chlamydia or gonorrhea.

What are the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis symptoms are vaginal odor and discharge. Rarely are there other symptoms. In fact, many women have no symptoms.

The discharge with bacterial vaginosis is thin, and a grayed white color. It tends to be more obvious after sexual intercourse.

Normal vaginal discharge varies by woman. So if the amount, color or smell changes it is a good idea to discuss this with your health care provider.
A large number of women with bacterial vaginosis do not have any symptoms with bacterial vaginosis.

What causes bacterial vaginosis?

The answer is no one really knows. It’s guessed that several different types of bacteria have to be present for this to happen. The vagina has its own special cleaning system normally taking care of the vagina.

The vagina’s natural cleansing system is made up of  a bacteria called lactobacilli. These bacteria kill off the harmful bacteria by secreting or giving off hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide prevents the harmful bacteria which doesn’t use oxygen  to live (anerobic).  So the harmful bacteria is unable to grow.

Certain conditions tend to increase a woman's risk of developing bacterial vaginosis. Some of the factors include new sexual partners, multiple sexual partners, use of vaginal douching, and smoking cigarettes.

It's not known why these factors lead to a higher risk. Though sexual activity is one of the conditions bacterial vaginosis can and does develop in women who have not had sexual intercourse.

Wondering if you have a yeast infection? In recent medical research studies, over 75% of women incorrectly diagnosed themselves as having a yeast infection.

Yeast infections have a number of signs and symptoms. But the signs and symptoms of a yeast infection can be very similar to other infections such as bacterial vaginosis, trichonomiasis, and some sexually transmitted infections.

That’s why if you have having a check up with your health care provider is so important. Your health care provider can check you for signs of a yeast infection and prescribe the correct therapy for you.

If you have had a yeast infection in the past and know you have the symptoms, then you can buy some of the over the counter treatments for your yeast infection. One of the test strips for yeast infection can also be helpful to increase the accuracy of your self-diagnosis.

Yeast Infection Signs

Yeast infection symptoms include intense itching on the exterior genitals, redness and often a cheesy discharge, which can be pale, white.

For most women yeast infections are accompanied by an intense itchiness. There are several home remedies you can use: Aloe Vera gel can soothe irritated tissue. Only apply externally (some commercial forms include alcohol which can burn irritated and sensitive tissues). Soaks in tub bath with one cup of oatmeal can also soothe the area.

Recurring yeast infections can be symptomatic of more serious problems like diabetes, AIDs and conditions of a weakened immune system. If you have recurring or chronic yeast infection you definitely need to see your healthcare provider for a check up.

Although over 70% of all women will experience a yeast infection in their life, recurrent yeast infections are not as common. Better to be cautious than leave a serious health problem untreated.

Photo courtesy of Sigurd Decroos

The favorite growing conditions of Candida are those areas which are warm and moist. During times of overgrowth those body areas which are warm and moist will be the home for the thrush infections. Thrush will happen in the mouth, in skin folds (under arms), intestines, or on the genitals.

Yeast infections are equal opportunity infections. Thrush happens in men, women, children, infants and the elderly. The mouth and genitals are probably the most common types of thrush.

Who gets the infection where? You may have heard of infants who get oral or mouth thrush.  The elderly especially those with poor health or nutrition are also susceptible to oral mouth thrush.

Uncircumcised men are more apt to get yeast infections than men who have had circumcisions. A perfect place for Candida to grow is the warm moist area under the foreskin.  Personal hygiene plays a big part in whether or not a man gets thrush. Other factors such as diabetes and AIDS also play a role encouraging Candidia to grow.

For women the most frequent type of Candida Albicans  in the vagina. The warmth and moisture of the vagina is perfect for the yeast to grow. So when the balance of helpful bacteria is gone, the body’s checks and balance system is gone as well. That’s when women have thrush vaginal infections.

Yeast infection is a condition known to many, many people. Known by many names: vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), thrush, candidal vaginitis, monilial vaginitis,and monilial infection.

The majority of yeast infections are caused by a type of yeast called Candida Albicans. Candida Albicans is a normal organism which grows either on or in our bodies. Yeast cells can be found inside our digestive track, on genitals and some people even have candida on their skin.

For most of us the Candida is there on and in our body and causes no problems. Our bodies have a variety of organisms such as bacteria and yeast which lives in or on our body. Most of the time there is a state of balance between the bacteria and yeast. No problems.

But every so often that balance is upset or changed. With thrush the number of Candida cells start to grow very quickly. The Candida grow so quickly the bacteria are quickly overcome. The body’s immune system and the balancing with the body’s bacteria can’t  help. The overgrowth of the yeast becomes a thrush infection.

Controlling thrush means changing the conditions which favor the growth of candida albicans. Developing a holistic health plan can help you start on the road to a thrush infection free life.

UTI antibiotics are often the starting point of yeast infections for many women. This happens frequently especially since so many women are treated each year for urinary tract infections. Each year over 10 million women see their doctor each year for urinary tract infections. With the urinary tract infection comes the antibiotics and with the antibiotics often comes the resulting yeast infections.

Medications Treating Yeast Infections

Most yeast infection medications are prescribed for periods of 1-7 days depending on the medication. Vaginal yeast infections will cure 80-90% of the time. Unfortunately the other 10% will have their symptoms quiet down and go away only to return.

Misdiagnosis Often A Reality

In medical studies have shown well over 50% of women misdiagnose their yeast infection. Women think they have a yeast infection when they have a bacterial infection, trichomonas, gardnerella, chlamydia or gonorrhea infections. The symptoms are similar but necessary treatments are quite different. Unless one is absolutely certain about the type of infection, diagnosis by a healthcare provider skilled in women’s issues is needed.

Boosting Resistance To Yeast Infections

A healthy diet is always a part of building the body’s resistance to any type of infection. And yeast infections are no exception. The bacteria in the intestines, called intestinal flora is important in the body’s defenses. Eating foods containing healthy bacteria called probiotics can keep the body’s level of healthy bacteria at needed levels.

One quick source of probiotics is yogurts and yogurt drinks. Be sure to read the labels to make sure the cultures of acidophilus are live cultures. Dead cultures won’t do a thing to help your body’s defenses. Fats like coconut oil and avocados also help the body build up its defenses. And they’re tasty as well.

When a trigger affects your body, include ways to help your body stay in balance. If the balance of your body is upset and you think you have a yeast infection, then seek the appropriate treatment from your healthcare provider.

Some preventative measures can be taken. Start eating yogurt with live cultures of acidophilus or acidophilus capsules.

Add some garlic to your meals. Garlic is an antifungal food. So some shrimp scampi or other dish can be tasty as well as help your body get back to its natural balance. Look for recipes which minimize your exposure to yeast.

Minimize the stress in your life! Meditation can be a valuable way of decreasing your stress.When we get stressed or overtired it makes it difficult for our body to compensate. Also though it is convenient fast food or junk food doesn’t provide the nutrients our body needs normally, let alone during a stressful time.

Finally if you are a female, be careful with scented products. Douches, feminine hygiene sprays and antibacterial or scented soaps can throw off the ph of our skin and vagina. The change in pH can lead to a chronic yeast infection.

A holistic plan that includes diet, stress level, exercise, and personal products is needed to prevent recurrent or chronic yeast infections. When the plan is set up to fit your life the chronic yeast infections will become chronic no more.