Candida´s Life

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Archive for May, 2007

Yeast Infection Causes

Yeast Infection Causes

  • In women, yeast infections are the second most common reason for vaginal burning, itching, and discharge. Yeasts are found in the vagina of most women and can overgrow if the environment in the vagina changes. Antibiotic and steroid use is the most common reason for yeast overgrowth. But pregnancy, menstruation, sperm, diabetes, and birth control pills also can contribute to getting a yeast infection. Yeast infections are more common after menopause.
  • In people who have a weakened immune system because of cancer treatments, steroids, or diseases such as AIDS, candidal infections can occur throughout the entire body and can be life-threatening. The blood, brain, eye, kidney, and heart are most frequently affected, but the candidal fungus also can grow in the lungs, liver, and spleen. Candida is the leading cause of esophagitis (inflammation in the throat) in people with AIDS.
  • Almost 15% of people with weakened immune systems develop a systemic illness caused by Candida. These infections enter into the bloodstream through breakdowns or cuts in the skin or mucous membranes. Candidal organisms may build up in an area because of frequent use of strong antibiotics, which kill the bacteria that normally keep it under control.
  • Use of devices implanted in the skin such as urinary catheters and IV ports also provide access for the yeast to enter the body. IV drug addicts using dirty needles may inject the yeast directly into their bloodstream or deep tissues.

Yeast Infection Overview

Candidiasis is an infection caused by a group of microscopic fungi or yeast. There are more than 20 species of Candida, the most common being Candida albicans. These fungi live on all surfaces of our bodies. Under certain conditions, they can become so numerous they cause infections, particularly in warm and moist areas. Examples of such infections are vaginal yeast infections, thrush, skin and diaper rash, and nailbed infections.

  • Candidal infections commonly occur in warm moist body areas, such as underarms. Usually your skin effectively blocks yeast, but any breakdown or cuts in the skin may allow this organism to penetrate.
  • Typical affected areas in babies include the mouth and diaper areas.
  • In adults, oral yeast infections become more common with increased age. Adults also can have yeast infections around dentures, under the breast and lower abdomen, nailbeds, and beneath other skin folds. Most of these candidal infections are superficial and clear up easily with treatment.
  • Rarely, the yeast infection may spread throughout the body. In systemic candidal disease, up to 75% of people may die. Even common mouth and vaginal yeast infections can cause critical illness and can be more resistant to normal treatment.
  • Yeast infections that return may be a sign of more serious diseases such as diabetes, leukemia, or AIDS.

source-emedicinehealth.com

Predisposition of Candida- part 2

Lack of sufficient love and nurturance in childhood leading to constant emotional insecurities in adult life that undermine normal, healthy immune and glandular functionality.

Poor air and/or water quality as well as insufficient air circulation at home, at work or while traveling / frequent exposure to recirculated air in sealed buildings or aircraft

Chemical contamination of work place and/or home. Persons who handle or inhale chemical fumes / solvents in their work or hobbies.

Damp environments, mold and/or mildew in home, at workplace or in vehicle (ventilation ducts in the home or work place, as well as old car air conditioning systems often harbor considerable mold and mildew colonies, they should be cleaned on as regular a basis as possible. Filters should be changed more frequently than typically recommended).

Insufficient exposure to sunlight.

Living in close proximity to commercial agricultural regions where agricultural chemicals are routinely sprayed.

Living in close proximity to high power electric lines and other electro magnetic field disturbing influences.

Exposure/overexposure (there are no truly safe levels) to ionizing radiation.

Candida infection can be sexually transmitted and is most easily contracted by individuals with lowered immune function.

Individuals infected with HIV / AIDS can, as a consequence of impaired immune function, develop systemic yeast overgrowth.

David B. Schlesinger

Reasons for Candida predisposition

Medical treatment involving high dose, intravenous or long-term antibiotics.

Pharmaceutical birth control pills

Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications which may cause damage to the integrity of the intestinal lining (some individuals may suffer damage with just short-term or “normal” use.)

Insufficient or excessive excercise, over-strenous exercise for prolonged periods of time ( excessive excersize weakens the body’s defences, insufficient excercise lowers metabolic & self cleansing functions.)

Insufficient sleep, getting to sleep too late, shift work, frequent air travel through several time-zones. Getting to sleep after 10 PM on a regular basis will deplete normal adrenal reserves and stress the entire system.

High pressure work with insufficient rest or monetary compensation, leading to long term stress and/or anxiety.

Stress caused by living in overcrowded conditions leading to frequent anger and/or frustration.

Stress caused by long-term relationship incompatibilities with frequent emotional upset.

yeast infection

One of the things that women have to deal with is yeast infection. It is not something you want to share with friends because they will probably laugh at you for not being careful so should know how to prevent yeast infection before it is too late. Yeast infections can happen because you regularly wear tight fitted jeans or underwear. There is nothing wrong going around in this outfit if this is the fashion trend but it doesn’t give the vagina that much room to breathe and this is where the fungus grows. To prevent yeast infection from happening, you should alternate your outfit every so often and instead of using those made out of polyester; you should buy the kinds that are made from cotton. Those that love to workout often are also at risk for a yeast infection. To prevent yeast infection, after the session, you should take off all your clothes and wash your vagina with running water. This should be dried properly with your towel so this is clean at all times. The same thing should be done after swimming to prevent yeast infection because it is not safe to have chlorine for long periods of time on the body. Your vagina may be clean but your rectum isn’t and this may also give you a yeast infection. Aside from using tissue, you should also clean these areas with some water to prevent yeast infection. Yeast infections usually occur when a woman is of child bearing age. You may not want to have a baby yet but you can be infected by taking birth control pills or steroids. This can also happen by buying and using selected products for personal use that you are unaware of causing a yeast infection. These are scented pads, tampons, bubble baths, scented sprays, deodorant and colored toilet paper. You will surely experience some discomfort, which is a sign for you to discontinue its use. This has to be substituted with alternative products that are much safer to prevent yeast infection. You should also watch out on your sugar intake because women that have high levels of sugar have a higher chance of getting a yeast infection. One example is instead of eating ice cream, you should have yogurt instead. It may taste a little different but health wise; this is completely safe and prevents yeast infection from happening. Lastly, to prevent yeast infection, when you are having sex, you should never use petroleum based lubricants but instead use those that are water based. The above mentioned are just a few tips that could help you prevent yeast infection from happening. You can check with your doctor what other preventive measures you can take so this will never happen. But should it occur, you should contact your doctor immediately so he or she can recommend what medication and other products are available to help you deal with this problem. Over the counter products for yeast infection does not need a medical prescription while others have found it more affordable to use certain items in the household. Stronger medication is only given to women that have had yeast infections before. You should also abstain from sex because you are passing this problem also to your partner. The yeast infection although not life threatening is an inconvenience. There are ways to prevent yeast infection, just like any other disease so all the person has to do is learn and apply this everyday. Do you want relief from burning, itching painful urination or vaginal discharge? Do you want to get back your health and the life you deserve? Imagine how great you will feel having your energy back and regain the glow of good health, feeling and looking younger. Find out all about the natural cure for yeast infection visit 12 Hour Cure For Yeast Infection.

These things can predispose you to Candida

Lack of fresh vital foods high in naturally occurring enzymes and friendly bacteria as well as neglect of probiotic supplementation after antibiotics were administered.

Drinking insufficient quantities of water to meet the body’s requirements (8 fl. oz. / 250 ml. per 25 lbs. / 12 k. of body weight per 24 hours).

Chronic constipation, less than three bowel movements a day for an individual who eats three times per day is unhealthy.

Overconsumption of alcohol, use of “recreational drugs”, dependence upon or overuse of pharmaceuticals.

Mercury containing dental amalgam fillings, undiagnosed dental infections and root canalled teeth that may be infected.

Other heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, lead, etc. can predispose the system to yeast proliferation.

How are vaginal yeast infections and vulvitis diagnosed?

Vaginal yeast infection (yeast vaginitis) is suggested when a cheesy white discharge is noted over the walls of the vagina, but the symptoms of vaginal yeast infection are nonspecific and may be a result of other conditions. To firmly establish the diagnosis and to rule out any other causes of the symptoms, your doctor may take a specimen scraped from the affected area for microscopic analysis or for culture in the laboratory. Identification of yeast under a microscope, when possible, is the least expensive and most rapid and accurate way to establish the diagnosis.

Medical professionals use two primary methods to diagnose yeast infections: microscopic examination, and culturing.

For the microscope method, a scraping or swab of the affected area is placed on a microscope slide. A single drop of 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution is then also placed on the slide. The KOH dissolves the skin cells but leaves the Candida untouched, so that when the slide is viewed under a microscope, the hyphae and pseudo spores of Candida are visible. Their presence in large numbers strongly suggests a yeast infection.

For the culturing method, a sterile swab is rubbed on the infected skin surface. The swab is then rubbed across a culture medium. The medium is incubated for several days, during which time colonies of yeast and/or bacteria develop. The characteristics of the colonies provide a presumptive diagnosis of the organism causing symptoms
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This causes predisposition of Candida

Commercially raised animal protein such as beef, chicken and farmed fish that contains trace amounts of antibiotics and/or artificial hormones.

Overeating, skipping meals on a regular basis, undereating, having coffee instead of breakfast, etc..

Overuse of low quality fats, hydrogenated fats and trans-fatty acids such as margarine.

Insufficient amounts of fiber in the diet.

Insufficient production of stomach acid (HCL), very common in those over 40 years of age, most often mis-diagnosed as overproduction of stomach acid.

Predisposition of Candida

INFLUENCES THAT PREDISPOSE US TO CANDIDA ALBICANS OVERGROWTH AND MANY OTHER CHRONIC ILLNESSES

Improper pre-natal and infant nutrition (both emotional & physical): lack of or insufficiency of breast milk. Introduction of animal proteins at too early an age, producing life-long food allergies leading to weakened immunity in childhood and adult life.

Frequent use of antibiotic therapy in childhood and adult life in cases where antibiotic therapy could have been avoided. Vaccinations may also undermine normal immune capacity.

Consumption of de-mineralized, de-vitalized, and processed foods. The chief culprits being white sugar and white flour. The minerals in our foods allows the body to neutralize so many of the harmful acids that can accumulate in the system. Most of the commercially raised foods are grown in extremely mineral depleted soils. Health promoting foods are grown in healthy soil that is naturally fertilized and not over-farmed.

Consumption of chemical food additives, preservatives, stabilizers and coloring agents and artificial flavorings and sweeteners.

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