Find Out the REAL Causes of Yeast Infection
Linda Allen
It is Candida species that causes yeast infections. There are over 100 naturally occurring species, but only a quarter of them are considered recognized causes of yeast infection, or Candiasis in humans. The most abundant one is Candida albicans, then Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis.
For people in good health, the intestines are protected from the growth of Candida by the positive gastrointestinal bacterial flora. Candida is usually kept to a minimum when the natural equilibrium between Candida and the gastrointestinal bacterial flora is maintained. When this balance is destroyed, Candida species can reproduce rapidly and bring on multiple symptoms of candidiasis. Oddly enough, the main cause of yeast infection is not therefore simply yeast organisms, even though these are usually present in small amounts in most areas of the human body.
Several internal elements, several external factors and their inter-relationship create a yeast infection environment. Yeast infection, like many other recurring health diseases, is caused by several factors.
Genetic traits (which are uncontrollable) and lifestyle and psychological factors can make for Candida overgrowth, also boosted by contributions from internal factors provoking yeast growth. Internal causes of yeast infection include deficiency in friendly probiotic bacteria, weakened immunity and inferior diet choices: sugary products, white flour products, refined carbohydrates, caffeine, alcohol and other yeast encouraging foods.
Several more external factors and situations also lead to candida multiplication with infection. The yeast infection environment comes about because of these factors and associated co-factors internally.
The main external agents of vaginal yeast infection are: (1) douching or using female hygiene sprays to the intimate area; (2) the use of toilet paper that is colored or perfumed, deodorant sanitary towels, tampons or bubble bath; (3) wiping "the wrong way" after using the toilet from rectum to vagina, which spurs the spreading of bacteria; (4) wearing tight garments or clothes manufactured from synthetic fibers.
The main external agents of oral thrush are: (1) being treated with badly disinfected medical equipment destined for multiuse; (2) wearing orthodontic appliances or dentures that have a bad fit; (3) putting dirty objects into one's mouth (above all for babies).
The main external agents of baby diaper rash are: (1) skin remains in excessive contact with urine and feces because of diapers kept too long; (2) allergy reactions due to the dye in training pants and disposable diapers, and also the effects of wipes, lotions and creams, etc.; (3) lipid-dissolving soaps that increase the permeability of the skin, making diaper dermatitis even riskier; (4) folds in the skin due to obesity, with additional moisture and friction due to insufficient circulation of air.
The external agents of male yeast infection are: (1) neglect of personal hygiene; (2) use of glycerin based lubricants or colored or perfumed soaps; (3) sexual intercourse with a partner suffering from yeast infection.
The external vectors of paronychia (nail bed infections) are: (1) the nail plate can be lifted up off the nail bed after soaking hands in water for a long time (this means that bacteria and yeasts easily penetrate and multiply in the space under the nail); (2) use of clothing and shoes where air does not circulate.
Although the external agents of yeast infection are well documented, the fundamental contributing factors are less so. With medicine in developed countries focused on dealing with the manifestation of candida in the parts that are infected, conventional yeast infection treatments are for the short term. The alternative is holistic medicine which looks at the body as a whole and aims to establish an internal balance, reinforcing the immune system and improving mental stability. The holistic program, based on specific supplements of herbs and vitamins, follows a full group of dietary principles and protocols to control Candida and thus addresses the internal as well as the external contributing aspects, to eliminate the basic causes of yeast infection, the multitude of handicapping symptoms and its recurrence.
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