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Vaginal yeast infections send more women to the doctor than just about any other cause.
Unfortunately, many women have to keep going back to the doctor because the infection returns.
If you're one of those women, you know that a yeast infection is no fun at all, and you're ready to
do whatever it takes to keep from having another one.
According to recent research, the incidence of vaginal yeast infections has doubled over the last
20 years, possibly because of changes in lifestyle, environmental changes, or mutations in the
yeast organism itself. No one really knows for sure why the incidence of infections is increasing so
rapidly.
Since most of us are only aware of yeast when we get a vaginal infection, many people don't
realize that over 10,000 people in the United States die each year from fungal infections caused
by the same organism that makes our crotches itch and burn.
The yeast that is responsible for vaginal infections and oral thrush is a tiny fungus called Candida
albicans. Occasionally, a yeast infection is caused by a form of Candida yeast other than the
common C. albicans. These yeasts include C. dubliniensi and C. stellatoidea. Tests can be done
to determine what type of yeast is causing an infection, but infections by yeasts other than
Candida albicans are rare.
Candida is the most common type of fungal infection in humans, and it can lead to serious health
problems for some people. A yeast infection can even be deadly in people with compromised
immune systems. For this reason, any woman who gets the symptoms of a yeast infection while
receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
There are four common causes of yeast infections:
1.The balance of power between bacteria and yeast is disturbed. Bacteria help us by keeping the
yeast in check, so if the bacteria are killed, a yeast population can explode out of control.
This can happen when antibiotics are used during an illness. A diet high in refined sugars and
other carbohydrates can also upset the balance by favoring the growth of yeast and inhibiting the
growth of bacteria. This imbalance can lead to a yeast infection in the mouth or vagina.
2.Changing hormone balances, (due to pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy during
menopause, and oral contraceptives), can create the right conditions for a yeast infection.
3.Yeast infections can also occur when the patient's immune system is compromised by an HIV
infection, chemotherapy or radiation treatment, Lyme disease or organ transplant. Steroids can
2. also slow the immune response and allow a yeast infection to take hold.
4.And finally, chronic yeast infections can be a symptom of a more serious underlying illness, such
as diabetes, thyroid disorder, leukemia or AIDS. If your yeast infection keeps coming back, ask
your doctor for a complete exam to rule out any underlying cause.
Unfortunately, the symptoms of vaginal yeast infections are very similar to other conditions that
are caused by bacteria and parasites. While yeast infections are not usually dangerous in women
with intact immune systems, a bacterial infection can cause permanent damage to your
reproductive organs, and must be treated promptly.
This is why it is so important to get a medical diagnosis, even if you've had a yeast infection
before. It's also the reason why you should be very careful before treating an infection on your
own - up to two-thirds of the women who purchase over-the counter medications for yeast
infections actually have a bacterial infection instead, and the anti-fungal medication won't do any
good. In fact, using anti-fungal medications when you don't need to can make future yeast
infections more difficult to treat.
To make matters even more complicated, some "natural" cures for yeast infections that you find
on the Internet can actually push a bacterial infection up into your uterus and fallopian tubes,
where it can cause permanent damage. For this reason, it's important to learn as much as you can
about vaginal yeast infections, and the other types of conditions that look just the same, but need
to be treated differently.
Vaginal infections arenÂ’t the most exciting subject in the world, but itÂ’s important to be informed
so you can make good decisions about your health. To learn more about Candida albicans yeast
infections – what causes a vaginal yeast infection, how to get rid of it, and how to keep it from
coming back – visit http://www.YourYeastInfection.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonni_Good
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For Great Tips on Preventing Yeast Infection Check This Out!
http://tinyurl.com/7m3wref
