September 20
All About Chronic Yeast Infection
Are you suffering from a chronic yeast infection? If you are, then you’re probably familiar with the pain and frustration it causes. Yeast infections aren’t considered life-threatening, but they are life-upsetting. Yeast infections can ruin sex lives. A chronic yeast infection can even be a sign of underlying health conditions that are more serious such as diabetes.
Chronic Yeast Infection - Causes and Symptoms
A naturally growing yeast, the fungus Candida albicans is found in everyone’s body. In its stable state, the yeast population is reined in by the friendly bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus. Yeast infections normally start out in the genital or digestive system but it could make its way to other body parts like the skin and sinuses.
Candidiasis is usually the offshoot of pH or hormonal changes or antibiotic intake. Antibiotics disturb the healthy balance of bacteria, destroying the good bacteria with the bad. Any bacterial balance disruptions are like “open season” for yeast to proliferate. The end-result: yeast infections like genital Candidiasis or thrush (yeast overgrowth in the mouth region).
Yeast infections can also come from using birth control pills, steroidal medications, diabetes, a compromised immune system, parasitic infection and excess sugar, alcohol or carbohydrate consumption.
Women with Candidiasis experience burning or itching of their genitalia. Some women have vaginal discharges while others don’t. Men with genital yeast infections usually develop a scratchy rash on their penis. People with yeast infections often feel pain while peeing and during sex. Some itching of the rectal opening is also possible.
Dealing With Chronic Yeast Infection
For women who’ve been having yeast infections since they started using the pill, it might be time to consider alternative birth control methods. Pills alter hormonal and vaginal pH levels, making it easy for yeast to multiply uncontrollably. Prolonged wearing of wet swimsuits and tight non-cotton underwear can also cause yeast infections. Antibiotics should only be taken when absolutely necessary as these also contribute to Candidal infection development.
Yeast feeds on fungus, vinegar, sugar and fermented foodstuffs. Removing these foods from one’s diet will cause the yeast to die. Alcohol should likewise be avoided. Replenishing acidophilus levels, the good bacteria in the digestive tract, will help counteract Candida overgrowth. Taking antifungal medications will also prove useful.
Women battling with a chronic yeast infection need to push their partners to undergo treatments the same time they are. The reason for this is that the yeast infection might affect their male partners without them exhibiting any symptoms. If left untreated, couples could be looking at an endless back-and-forth of the infection. One other option would be to wear condoms.
