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Yeast infections?
Q:Hello.. i was just wondering if anyone could give me details on yeast infections. I'm a bit confused with the symptoms and how you get them. It may sound like a silly questions to ask, but I really have no idea! If you could let me know, I'd really appreciate it! Thank you, Charlene x
More Answers to "Yeast infections?"
Yeast organisms are always present in all people, but are usually prevented from "overgrowth" (uncontrolled multiplication resulting in symptoms) by naturally occurring microorganisms.At least three quarters of all women will experience candidiasis at some point in their lives. The Candida albicans organism is found in the vaginas of almost all women and normally causes no problems. However, when it gets out of balance with the other "normal flora," such as lactobacilli (which can also be harmed by using douches), an overgrowth and symptoms can result. Pregnancy, the use of oral contraceptives, and engaging in vaginal sex after anal sex in an unhygenic manner have been known to be causally related to yeast infections. Also, antibiotics, and diabetes mellitus can lead to an increased incidence in yeast infections.[edit]SymptomsSymptoms include severe itching, burning, and soreness, and irritation of the vagina and/or vulva, and a whitish or whitish-gray discharge that may have a "yeasty" smell like beer or baking bread, known as a garria. It may resemble cottage cheese.Many women mistake the symptoms of the more common bacterial vaginosis for a yeast infection. In a 2002 study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, only 33 percent of women who were self treating for a yeast infection actually had a yeast infection. Instead they had either bacterial vaginosis or a mixed-type infection. Currently, bacterial vaginosis can only be diagnosed by a doctor.[edit]DiagnosisKOH (potassium hydroxide) preparation can be diagnostic. A scraping or swab of the affected area is placed on a microscope slide. A single drop of 10% solution of KOH is then placed on the slide. The KOH dissolves the skin cells but leaves the Candida untouched. When viewed under a microscope the hyphae and pseudo spores of Candida are visible. Their presence in large numbers strongly suggests a yeast infection.Swab and culture is performed by rubbing a sterile swab 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.[edit]TreatmentCandidiasis is alleged to be successfully treated either with home remedies or, in the case of a more severe infection, with either over-the-counter substances or prescription antifungal medications. Home remedies for candidiasis include the consumption or direct application of yogurt, which contains lactobacillus (probiotics, "friendly" bacteria that kill yeast), acidophilus tablets or salves, and even lightly crushed cloves of garlic, which yield allicin, an antifungal. Boric acid has also been used to treat yeast infections when gelcaps are filled with boric acid powder and two are inserted at bedtime for three to four nights.While home remedies can offer relief in minor cases of infection, seeking medical attention can be necessary because the extent of the infection sometimes cannot be judged well by the sufferer. Prescription medication is often the only solution to an infection; the antifungal drugs commonly used to treat candidiasis are topical clotrimazole, topical nystatin, fluconazole, topical ketoconazole. In severe infections (generally in hospitalized patients), amphotericin B, caspofungin, or voriconazole may be used. These medications are not effective against the more common bacterial vaginosis. Oral candidiasis (thrush).If indicated, an underlying reason should be looked for. As an example, oral candidiasis is often linked to the use of inhaled corticosteroids in asthma medication. Patients on long term inhaled corticosteroids should rinse their mouth after each dose of steroids. It can also be the first sign of a more serious condition, such as HIV. Babies with diaper rash should have their diaper areas kept clean, dry, and exposed to air as much as possible. Sugar assists the overgrowth of yeast; thus, the increased prevalence of yeast infections in patients with diabetes mellitus, as noted above. In the case of frequent yeast infections, sugar can be looked to as a culprit and should be avoided. Nutritionists often recommend avoidance diets, eliminating sugar and often many other foods for a period. Extensive antibiotic treatment is sometimes implicated, and probiotics are then recommended.Following the health tips at vulvovaginal health can help prevent vaginal candidiasis. Local treatment may include vaginal suppositories or medicated douches.[edit]History and taxonomic classificationB. Lagenbeck in 1839 in Germany was the first to demonstrate a yeastlike fungus in thrush. He also found that a fungus was able to cause thrush, a human oral infection. The genera Candida, species albicans was described by Christine Marie Berkhout. She described the fungus in her doctoral thesis, at the University of Utrecht in 1923. Over the years the classification of the genera and species has evolved. Obsolete names for this genus include Mycotorula and Torulopsis. The species has also been known in the past as Monilia albicans and Oidium albicans. The current classification is nomen conservandum, which means the name is authorized for use by the International Botanical Congress (IBC).The full current classification is available at Candida albicans.The genus Candida includes about 150 different species. However, only about six are considered as causing human infections. Candida albicans is the most significant species. Other species responsible for human disease include Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida lusitaniae.[edit]Alternative viewsAlternative medicine proponents also frequently diagnose people with "systemic candidiasis" using methods not deemed valid by mainstream, western medicine. This belief originated from a book published by Dr. William Crook which hypothesized that a variety of common symptoms such as fatigue, PMS, sexual dysfunction, asthma, psoriasis, digestive and urinary problems, multiple sclerosis, and muscle pain, could be caused by subclinical infections by Candida albicans; see [1]. There are a variety of remedies available to treat these symptoms, Dr. Crook suggests, ranging from dietary modification to colonic irrigation. Mainstream western medicine has ignored these methods and they have not been tested using scientific analysis, and therefore are not considered valid by most in the mainstream western medical establishment; see also [2], [3] for criticisms of these treatments. However, nutritionists have also proposed that these symptoms may be due to intestinal wall damage, known as leaky gut syndrome, due to Candida overgrowth or other effects Every woman is very different, and people will always give you the run around. You should talk to an ob gyn.
The first one I ever had was after taking an anti biotic and i didn't do what my mother told me---eat yogurt!The itching is terrible. You think you are going to go nuts. You have a discharge--thick like mucus and well.....it really smells.The reason that you have to see a doctor is because a yeast infection is a LOT like an STD symptoms. So see the Dr. and make sure before you get something over the counter.
What is a Yeast Infection?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 80 percent of all women will experience a vaginal yeast infection at least once in their lives. In fact, it is estimated that 50% of college women in the United States have been diagnosed with at least one yeast infection by the age of 25. Luckily, yeast infections are fairly easy to treat. Yes, they can be very ITCHY and uncomfortable.What is it and why so common? Candida, which is a type of yeast or fungus, is normally found in the body. When your body is in balance it usually causes no problems. When the internal environment is out of balance from stress or fatigue, the yeast can over grow. Symptoms include: thick, white, odorless vaginal discharge (described as resembling cottage cheese). vaginal itching and burning. pain or discomfort with urination or sexual intercourse. vulvular redness or irritation. About 80 percent of yeast infections are caused by a specific species of Candida, called Candida albicans. The remaining twenty percent of yeast infections are caused by other types of Candida. These infections may require treatment with special medications that are different from the usual treatment. While yeast infections are not usually considered sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), they can still be transmitted sexually -- so we have also included them in the STD section. Try to avoid intercourse until you have completed treatment and the symptoms have subsided.How Do I Know if I Have a Yeast Infection? Self-diagnosis of a yeast infection may not be as obvious as one would think. A 1997 study at Temple University Medical School reported in the July issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology, found that only 28 percent of female participants presenting with recurrent yeast infections had candidiasis. Eleven percent actually had a bacterial infection and that requires a different treatment. Predisposing Factors to Yeast InfectionsYeast feeds on glucose, (the body’s form of sugar), so anything that increases your blood sugar or changes the hormonal balance that regulates blood sugar can help yeast to grow out of control. These conditions include: diabetes pregnancy, especially in the third trimester birth control pills steroids (legal and illicit ones) antibiotics immunocompromised states, such as with HIV infection or with cancer treatment.Antifungal Medications Since yeast is a fungus, treatment involves an anti-fungal medication. Several vaginal creams are available over the counter. Sometimes an oral medication is prescribed by a health care provider if the condition is very severe or not responding to cream treatment. Just treating the irritation and itching will not cure the infection. If you’re using an oral medication or a vaginal cream, you may also need a topical vaginal cream to soothe the discomfort until the infection has been properly treated. If you're using vaginal creams or suppositories, don't use a tampon. They can absorb the medication. Use pads or panty liners instead. While nonprescription, over the counter medications for yeast infections are readily available, be sure that you do indeed have a yeast infection before using them. As described below, other vaginal infections can have symptoms similar to those associated with yeast infections. The OTC (over-the-counter) products for vaginal yeast infections have one of four active ingredients: butoconazole nitrate (Femstat 3), clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin and others), miconazole (Monistat 7 and others), and tioconazole (Vagistat). These drugs are in the same anti-fungal family and work in similar ways to break down the cell wall of the Candida organism until it dissolves. They are available in generic form also and those work just as well. If this is your first infection, be sure to have your health care provider check the discharge under a microscope to make an accurate diagnosis. Symptoms such as pain or burning with urination could indicate a urinary tract infection, which would require prescription antibiotics. If you have recurrent yeast infections, do not continue to self-medicate: Get to your health care provider. Get More Info on Herbal Treatments for Yeast Infections - This really worked for me. ~ Amy, RN ~Decrease Your Risk of Yeast Infections First, make the environment less favorable for its growth. Here are some tips: If you are diabetic, keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. Keep the genital area clean, cool, and dry. Avoid tight-fitting clothing -- jeans and pantyhose, that retains heat and traps moisture. Wear cotton panties to allow for better air circulation. Dry off well after a shower or swimming. Change as soon as possible out of wet clothes, especially bathing suits. After urinating, wipe from front to back: yeast can exist in the intestinal tract and be swept into the vagina, along with E. coli and other bacteria, when wiping from back to front. Avoid douching and using other irritants such as perfumed bath products and colored or scented toilet paper.
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