Stress, candida – how they affect each other

Stress to many people is more of an emotional or mental thing, things get too much for us, pressure at work, with the family and so on. But stress has a very physical effect on the body too. When a person is not stressed, they are relaxed and calm, the body’s cells carry on their normal work of maintenance but when a person is stressed the cells become a line of defense and that maintenance work is temporarily stopped. If that stress then lasts a long time it interferes with how the body looks after itself, meaning a person is more likely to suffer from infection or illness such as candida infection. Without those cells doing their jobs of maintenance the immune system and digestive system do not work as well. This means the body does not get the nutrients it needs for a strong immune system and is another way stress, candida and its overgrowth are linked.

The chemical change stress can cause

Another factor is the change in chemical balance stress causes. With an increase in stress comes an increase in adrenaline and the hormone cortisol. Adrenaline can affect the pH of the body and cortisol is what affects the immune system, causing it to weaken and blood sugar levels to rise. So as well as stress meaning the body is more open to infection, and the environment is more welcoming for fungus to grow, it is also providing food for the fungus.

How to deal with the stress

Stress, candida overgrowth or yeast infections all need to be dealt with. If you just treat the fungus and leave the root cause there, it is going to return. Here are some things you can do to manage your stress;

• Get enough sleep – a lack of sleep can have a very direct impact on your health and stress levels.
• Meditate or relax – find a way to achieve some calm each day.
• Exercise – exercise is a great way to work out some stress, and it keeps you physically fit too.
• Talk – tell your partner, your friends or even a professional how you are feeling.
• Take a break – go on holiday or take some time off.
• Get a massage – relive some of the tension you are carrying in your muscles.
• Change your lifestyle – if you are living a lifestyle that causes a lot of stress that is making you ill, change it!

How hormonal imbalance can cause a yeast infection

Yeast infections are caused by having too much candida in your body, a fungus that lives there normally in low amounts. Sometimes factors can affect the low amounts and allow then to multiply. One factor is hormonal imbalance because the chemical changes that occur are liked by the candida. Usually during pregnancy or menstruation the levels of estrogen are raised, this can help create a better environment for the candida as a woman can have more vaginal discharge.

Yeast infections and the menopause are not about the estrogen

While the menopause is a time when hormones are fluctuating, this time estrogen levels are actually low not raised. However this affects the walls of the vagina, making them thinner and means that during sex, there can be irritation caused to them, which can cause a yeast infection to occur. Plus if a woman decides to take HRT while going through the menopause this raises the estrogen levels again, and if the right balance is not achieved, the levels can go too high. Finally the menopause is a stressful time for some women, and stress to causes chemical changes in the body that allows the possibility of a yeast infection to become more likely.

Treating and preventing a yeast infection

If you are asking about yeast infections and the menopause because you need treatment there are several ways you can go about it. There are natural options that some have success with, there are over the counter medications and there are prescribed treatments from a doctor. If you want to prevent the problem think about the following advice;

• Do not douche
• Wash daily making sure you dry carefully and thoroughly
• Avoid wearing clothing that makes the vaginal area sweaty
• Change out of sweaty or wet clothing as soon as you can
• Use gentle soaps and do not used scented products
• Use lubrication during sex

Candida and metal toxicity – how one causes the other

If the intestines become overwhelmed by toxic metals the lining will produce extra mucus to stop those toxins from being able to enter the blood stream. However this extra mucus then makes the environment there more hospitable for bad bacteria and fungi like Candida to over grow. Your body is then dealing with too many toxic metals and too many toxins released by the candida and is unable to deal with them. Additionally the candida can bind itself to the heavy metals in your body. Many people that have candida problems find they also have a problem with metals too.

Types of metals involved

• Mercury – vaccinations, fillings and so on.
• Aluminum – foil, deodorant, cans.
• Arsenic – smoking cigarettes.
• Cadmium – as above.
• Lead – old paint.

Symptoms of metal toxicity

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Numbness
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Stomach pain
• Metallic taste
• Motor and cognitive skills may be slowed
• Skin burning
• Dizziness
• Anemia
• High blood pressure
• Mental confusion or memory loss
• Shaking
• Candida overgrowth
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Hyperactivity
• Problems with your eyes
• Problems with your kidneys
• Autism

Dealing with candida and metal toxicity

Treatment needs to involve clearing out the metals as well as the candida to regain the balance that is so important for your body’s health. There are products you can get over the counter that claim to help remove the buildup of metals. Deal with the metal problem first as if that is not solved, the candida overgrowth will keep returning. Change your fillings, do a metal detox, avoid processed, junk, refined and canned foods, eat organically, filter your water.

Having a candida infection is very unpleasant and uncomfortable. The symptoms of itching, burning, pain, redness and so on cause feelings of embarrassment and frustration. Therefore by looking at the causes and making changes in your lifestyle you may be able to avoid this problem altogether.

One thing you can do is make sure your underwear is made of cotton as it is a material that allows your skin to breathe. Therefore you are not creating the perfect environment for the yeast to breed in, warm and damp. Change into clean underwear after you shower or bathe and try to wash at the very least once a day. Likewise when swimming, change out of wet swimwear as soon as you can, do not sunbathe in a damp costume. Shower and change after exercise when you have gotten all sweaty.

Diabetics are at greater risk of infection if they do not properly control their sugar levels. Even non-diabetics need to control their sugar intake if they want to prevent candida infections. Sugar is a food source for the yeast.

Scented products need to be avoided such as toilet paper, soaps, tampons and so on.

Anything that attacks and kills those good bacteria in your body needs to be controlled. Prolonged use of antibiotics is a very common cause of candida infections so if you think this may be your problem you need to talk about it with your doctor. Also avoid antibacterial soaps and douching as they also kill the good bacteria.

The actual candida infection happens when there is an overgrowth of the Albicans, a fungus that lives naturally on your body. Several factors can trigger this overgrowth, and though they vary quite a bit, mostly the common tie between them is that they trigger an imbalance in your system that that then leads to the growth and the infection.

Diet is one such factor. If you are not eating a healthy diet full of wholesome foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables you will be a more risk of an infection. This is because your body may not be getting all the nutrients it needs to keep the immune system working at optimal levels. IF you have digestive problems this could also be a trigger for a yeast infection. Eating too much sugar, carbohydrates and consumption of alcohol should also be avoided.

If the internal acid to alkaline balance of your body is disturbed this too can make the chances of a yeast infection a lot higher, as this makes the conditions more favorable for the yeast to grow in.

Other external factors that can causes an imbalance are stress, hygiene, sexual interactions and drugs, as well as many others. When a person is stressed a chemical is released into the body and so the balance gets disrupted which can lead to a candida infection. People who are in high stress jobs are more likely to get a yeast infection than those who have are more relaxed in their roles.

Living a healthier lifestyle will limit your chances of an infection. Getting enough sleep, avoiding late nights and drinking alcohol will help a lot. Unprotected sex should also be avoided as a yeast infection can be passed on in this manner. If you do not pay attention to such things you could end up with a chronic condition where you are dealing with repeated outbreaks during the year.

Though more common in women, it is not exclusively a female infection, men can get it too as can children. It is more common in women because the vagina is such an ideal environment for the yeast to grow and because of the various hormonal changes they undergo such as menopause, birth control pills, menstruation and pregnancy. All of these upset the natural balance of the body and thus can trigger an overgrowth.

To avoid this there are some things you can do. There are triggers that can be avoided. Tight fitting clothing needs to be changed to loose clothing, maintain proper hygiene and cut out foods with sugar and yeast. Any perfumed soaps or scented products can cause chemical imbalance so should also be avoided.

Talk to your doctor if you think you see some of the yeast infection causes to get a proper diagnosis and to talk about treatment options. There are medicated treatments as well as natural remedies. Do not let the condition drag on as ignoring it will not make it go away. Natural remedies are becoming more popular with women who are not happy with the results they get with drug based treatments and want something that is effective, easy to get and has no side effects.

• Antibiotics are one of main yeast infection causes. They disrupt the balance of the vagina’s environment because of their very nature. They are meant to kill bacteria, and they do, but they cannot tell the difference between bad and good bacteria so they kill them all. The balance that is maintained between the good bacteria and the yeast they normally control is then upset. When the good bacteria’s numbers are too low the fungus candida albicans is able to multiply very quickly leading to a yeast infection.

• Hormonal changes can also cause a yeast infection as this is another way the balance of chemicals can be upset. If the level of estrogen increases the yeast thrives. That is why it is quite common for pregnant women to suffer with yeast infections, particularly in the second trimester, months 4 to 6. To prevent a recurrence of the infection try wearing loose clothing that is made of cotton as it allows the skin to breathe. Wash and dry carefully and cut down on how much sugar is in your diet.

• Sexual intercourse, is another trigger. Not only can an infected partner pass the infection to you and vice versa, the actual sex itself can be a factor. Semen is a little alkaline and can cause an imbalance in the pH of the vagina. Some birth control methods are also yeast infection causes, ones that are inserted into the vagina can cause irritation, inflammation and then infection. Birth control pills affect the hormone levels. Some condoms have a spermicide or lubricant that is an irritant. Therefore you and your partner should get yourselves treated.

There are other factors that you should be aware of – stress, tight clothing, synthetic underwear, chemicals/perfumed products, low immunity and diabetes for example. A yeast infection will not just go away, the symptoms will get worse and keep making your life unpleasant so find the root cause and take the necessary steps to treat it effectively and then prevent it from ever returning.

Triggers that can lead to a chronic yeast infection are:

1 – Birth Control Pills – These can weaken the immune system and change hormone levels.

2 – Medications – Certain medications can make you more likely to get a yeast infection such as steroid medications that are immune suppressing.

3 – Certain foods – Foods that have fungi in them should be avoided as should sweet sugary foods, alcohol and carbohydrates.

4 – Antibiotics – They kill all bacteria in the body, the bad that is causing whatever illness you are taking them for, and the good. Since it is the good bacteria that control the levels of Candida Albicans in the body when their levels are lowered the yeast has a chance to thrive and become a yeast infection.

5 – Lifestyle choices – wearing wet clothing, douching, using perfumed products on the area, tight clothing, synthetic clothing, hot weather conditions and more can all create an environment the yeast thrives in, moist and warm, or disrupt the chemical balance.

When a yeast infection becomes an ongoing problem and outbreaks are happening often that is when you have a Chronic yeast infection. It is hard then to treat it, unless you restore your immune system and make changes. More raw foods in your diet can help as many nutrients in foods are destroyed when cooked and the highest amount of enzymes are in fresh raw foods. To boost the good bacteria supplement with acidophilus or eat lots of natural plain yogurt. Garlic is another good food to include more in your diet, raw, as it is naturally anti-fungal.

It can affect anywhere on the body but is more common in the mouth, genitalia and intestinal tract. Symptoms vary but include:

• Lack of energy.
• Swelling and rashes.
• An unusual white genital discharge.
• Fingernail and toenail infections.
• Itching that is intense and burning.
• Migraines, fogginess and mood swings.
• Joint pains and muscle aches.
• Digestive discomfort and gas.

The pH of your body can be affected which leads to it being more acidic, the ideal environment for the yeast to grow in. Quite often there is not just one yeast infection cause, but several. It is not always easy to diagnose as some symptoms are the same for several possible ailments. Many people rely on over the counter treatments to give relief from those symptoms, but they do not treat the root yeast infection cause. This means people can develop a recurring problem. There are some lifestyle changes we can make to help prevent an infection:

• Chemicals – Some vaginal sprays and deodrants cause an allergic reaction. Though anti perspirants may kill some of the odor causing bacteria, some of those bacteria are the good ones that control the fungus’ growth.
• Diet – Eating too much sugar can be a large causing factor as yeast feeds on sugar. Junk food is also bad as it produces the acidic environment the yeast likes. Fruit and vegetables are better because they create a more alkaline environment.
• Antibiotics – kill good bacteria as well as the bad.
• Clothing – should be breathable materials like cotton and should not be too tight.
• Weak Immune system – caused by lack of sleep, stress etc. This combined with one other factor can trigger an outbreak.
• Warm and damp environment – Make sure you wash after exercise and get out of wet clothing.
• Condoms – Latex can cause an allergic reaction. Also some have a spermicide or lubricant added that contain Nonoxymol 9 which can trigger an attack.
• Infected partner – Since it can be passed on during sex, if one partner is infected both need to be treated.

Because of the folds and the nature of the vagina it is girls that tend to suffer more than boys from this problem. The folds allow the kind of environment the yeast cells prefer to multiply in. It is still possible therefore for the Candida to multiply even if you change the baby often, a wet diaper is not the only cause.

There are certain precautions that parents can take to help prevent an infection happening in their child. Obviously it is important to maintain excellent hygiene practices and that includes making sure they are dried properly as well as washed. There are also treatments that are safe for children to take for example if they have Thrush there are antibiotic antifungal liquids to give them, or if a yeast infection in the diaper area, there are anti-fungal creams. Both can be purchased over the counter but it is still a very good idea to take your child to their doctor first to get a definite diagnosis and to discuss treatments that are safe.

Dietary changes can also help prevent an infection and help with symptoms if they already have one. Cut down on sugar is a very important step as the yeast feeds off of it. Also avoid processed and junk foods. Healthy foods and a sensible diet can make a big difference and can prevent any future attacks.

Finally add natural, plain and unsweetened yogurt to their diet. There is good bacteria in it that will help their body fight the yeast, it can also be used like a lotion, topically on the infection to sooth the itching and discomfort they be experiencing.

Roughly affecting seven out of every 10 women, vaginal yeast infections are a common problem that at its early stage is often not even noticeable. When you do experience those nasty symptoms of itching, cottage cheese like discharge, pain when urinating, redness and irritation, the infection is pretty well advanced. It can grow and spread very quickly (even to others during sex) so it is important to find a treatment that works for you quickly.

There is always some of this fungus living on the body and even in the vagina but it is usually at low enough levels for it to be harmless. But if new yeast is introduced to the area or if the present yeast is able to over grow it can lead to an infection. Until the balance is restored there properly, the infections will keep returning. Antibiotics for example are a cause of this imbalance as they kill the good bacteria and it is those bacteria that control the growth of the fungus.

Causes of course differ from case to case but it is important to know them so that you can identify what triggers an infection in you so you can make changes to stop it.

Everyday causes that can all be changed easily with some lifestyle adjustments are:

• Not drying the vagina properly after washing.
• Eating a lot of sweet and sugary foods.
• Prolonged use of steroids and antibiotics.
• Douching.
• Underwear that is too tight.
• Soaps and other items that are perfumed.
• Hormonal treatments.
• Birth control pill.

Also more likely to get an infection are those with a weakened immunity, diabetics and women who are pregnant.

Birth control pills are a very common cause and it is the hormone in them called Proestogen that is the cause. In fact anything that upsets the hormone and chemical balance of the vagina can lead to an infection. Coming off the pill can help reduce the chances of another infection occurring.

Another main cause is the consumption of too much sugar and sweets in your diet. Candida albicans feed off of the sugar and then are able to multiply further, when there is an excessive amount of sugar in your system its like an all you can eat buffet for the yeast!

Wearing tight underwear that is made of synthetic materials can provide the ideal breeding grounds for the yeast as they trap the heat and moisture there. Then the damp material rubs at the skin around the vagina and the recurring yeast infection grows. Wear cotton or other materials that allow the skin to breathe, change underwear often and do not stay in wet or damp clothing.

Diabetics are at greater risk of a recurrent infection as well since the yeast feeds on sugar. So if you are a diabetic that allows your blood sugar to rise too high often, yeast infections can keep returning.

A weakened immune system sometimes caused by prolonged use of antibiotics or other medications can also leave you open to infection. HIV and other diseases can also affect your immune system.

Finally for this article, if you are having sex and are too dry and not lubricated enough the vaginal membranes can be injured. This can lead to a yeast infection also. It is worth noting that though not classed as an STD a yeast infection can be passed back and forth between sexual partners so practice safe sex, or abstain until you are completely cleared up.

Other factors that can trigger an infection are prolonged use of antibiotics and steroids, diabetes, birth control pills or diet pills, weak immune system and as mentioned hormone changes so times like menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.

Stress can also trigger an infection because during stressful times the body reacts by making a hormone called cortisol. It does this so that the hormone can break down tissues to release sugar and protiens for the nourishment of the muscles. If the stress rises, so too do that adrenalin glands raise the production of cortisol. So the immune system is weakened and the sugar levels in your blood go up. This means the immune system is less able to defend against a yeast infection and the existing yeast can feed off the higher sugar amounts enabling it to rapidly grow and spread.

Learning to manage your stress is therefore important. Possible techniques are yoga, meditation and deep breathing. You can also help strengthen your immune system by drinking lots of water as it will flush out toxins from your body as well as cleanse your colon and improve your digestive system. Regular exercise is also important as it makes your blood circulation better which means the whole of your body gets nourished more efficiently. Eating more fibre and less junk will also help.

Antibiotics are the main cause of good bacteria being killed as they destroy all bacteria in the body. So when you are ill and you are prescribed a course of antibiotics these drugs will kill not just the bad bacteria making you ill, but also the good bacteria. Therefore unless we replace that good bacteria, a yeast infection can result.

Birth control pills are another causing factor as they change the normal hormone balance of the body which can trigger the growth.

Too much alcohol can also be a problem, particularly if it is beer. Beer contains yeast and undergoes a fermentation process. Alcohol is also quite acidic causing imbalance in the body. The good bacteria can be killed so those who drink a lot of alcohol are far more at risk.

Another yeast infection cause is sex. If a man engages in unprotected sex with a woman who has a vaginal yeast infection, the men can get penile yeast infection. And vice versa.

Douching is a practice that needs to stop. It can cause a yeast infection because it actually washes away the good bacteria in the vagina thus allowing the overgrowth to happen. It is not necessary to douche, the vagina is self cleaning internally. All that needs to be done for good hygiene is showering or bathing and using a mild unscented soap on the external area.

That leads to the final cause looked at here, poor hygiene. The genitals should be bathed regularly and should be dried thoroughly. Allow the area to air out now and then too. Not bathing and/or not drying properly can lead to the ideal conditions for a yeast infection to flourish in, warm and moist.

All of these tips will help you prevent an infection but if you already have one there are natural means you can use to treat it, that are safe and effective. As a society we are overly quick to turn to drugs and medications to solve all our health issues when there are many natural means out there that are effective, side effect free and cheaper!

Here are a few yeast infection causes

When a woman has a vaginal yeast infection she experiences uncomfortable symptoms such as discharge, swelling and itching. There are several factors that may lead to this condition such as steroid and antibiotic use. But included in them are hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menopause, menstruation, diabetes and birth control pills. Another factor is the state of the immune system, for example a cancer patient after a treatment will be more at risk of getting a yeast infection.

How do hormones have an affect?

When a woman is pregnant, ovulating or menstruating she releases certain hormones that makes them more likely to getting a yeast infection. Though there are no specific visible direct links cases of female yeast infections rise during the three main hormonal times of their lives, menopause, menstruation and pregnancy.

Stress is also a factor as during high stress times women have digestive problems, fatigue, skin problems, allergies and memory loss worsens.

The adrenals produce an anti inflammatory hormone called cortisol during stressful times. This breaks down tissues to release nutrients, proteins and sugars to the organs and muscles so they are nourished when under stress. To balance the cortisol Dhea is then released. This all weakens the immune system and raises the levels of sugar in the blood. Also the cortisol sometimes kills good bacteria.

Estrogen and Progesterone

Hormone therapy can cause yeast infections because it can create an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. It adversely affects the good bacteria leading to candida over growth and an infection.

Hormone therapy often causes yeast infections in women’s vagina. The most important of them is the estrogen therapy. Any imbalance between estrogen and another hormone namely progesterone could lead to causing Candida. This leads to have a negative effect on the friendly and protective bacteria. As a result the Candida tends to overgrow. Thus both of these hormones, whether in excess or not in balance with each other, will have a direct effect on causing of Candida to thrive and destroying the protective friendly bacteria.

Many factors can cause yeast infection in a person but hormonal changes inside a woman’s body is the primary factor that leads to yeast infection.

Diabetes – if you are a diabetic but do not control your sugar levels this can lead to a yeast infection. Quite often if someone has a recurring yeast infection they then find that they have diabetes that had not yet been diagnosed. The fungus multiplies because it feeds on sugar.

Antibiotics – Normally when a person is healthy the Candida live in balance with other microorganisms including good bacteria like lactobacilli. This good bacteria controls the growth of the candida. Antibiotics kill all bacteria, good and bad, so the candida is able to overgrow. There are actually some antibiotics like tetracycline that stimulate the candida to grow. Antibiotics are one of the main causes of yeast infections.

Pregnancy – When pregnant the body produces certain hormones that change the pH of the vagina and raise blood sugar levels. This can cause candida growth and women often have recurring yeast infections during this time.

Other Hormonal Changes – Yeast infections are more common in women around the time of their period, when the hormones are changing. Other things like hormone therapy and birth control pills can also cause a yeast infection.

Stress – Stress makes us more prone to any illness as it lowers the effectiveness of our immune system. Blood sugar levels rise which feeds the candida and lets it grow. Stress can also have a negative impact on the levels of good bacteria in the body.

Sex – it is possible to transfer a yeast infection through sexual intercourse.

Diet – A diet high in refined carbohydrates like white flour, white pasta, white rice and sugars can cause candida growth. It is important to prevent infection to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables as it helps eliminate toxins and keep us healthy. Getting the right vitamins and minerals is also important to ensure our immune system is working well.

Weakened Immune System – When the immune system has been compromised, perhaps from an existing illness like HIV or cancer treatment, a yeast infection is more likely.

There are several yeast infection causes. One is if an infected mother is breast feeding it can be passed on during feeding. If the mother was infected when giving birth it could also have been passed on to the baby in the womb. After all their immune system is not yet fully developed and strong enough to fight it. A diet too high in sugars, candy, cookies, cakes, can also be a causing factor as yeast feeds on the sugar.

It is important to keep the baby clean and dry to avoid getting an infection, because baby yeast infections are quite dangerous. The yeast thrives in environments that are moist and warm so a wet diaper area is a perfect breeding ground for it. Change the diaper often and try not to use harsh soaps that can cause irritation and make the contraction of a yeast infection even more likely.

Antibiotics are another yeast infection cause so if you have a sickly child that is on antibiotics often this is something you should discuss with your child’s doctor. If the mother is breastfeeding and is on antibiotics this could be another cause as the antibiotics can be passed to the baby through the mother’s milk. Antibiotics can cause yeast infections because they kill all bacteria in the body, even the good bacteria that fights the infection by controlling the yeast’s growth.

A mouth yeast infection also know as Thrush can also be common in babies as well as the genital area. Thrush (notable by the white patches on the roof of the mouth and on the inside of the cheeks) can spread to the digestive tract and then infect the anus through the excretion.

If you have any concerns about symptoms your child is showing do not wait, take them to their doctor for a professional diagnosis and discuss treatment options before the infection worsens.

It can be upsetting as a parent to see your child suffer through the symptoms of a yeast infection. A girl might cry every time she passes urine in her diaper, and may show redness and swelling around the vagina. If this is so it is time to visit her doctor. I have also seen a yeast infection in a little boy who still had his foreskin attached. Nowadays as well as for religious reasons some parents opt to have their boys foreskin removed shortly after birth for hygienic reasons.

If the parents do not pull back the foreskin to clean it properly, a yeast infection is more likely to occur. With this particular boy the parents had a problem because they were fighting a recurring yeast infection, so in the end they had his foreskin removed when he was 21 months old. Being uncircumcised does not mean a boy will definitely get a yeast infection but cleaning and drying is important.

Thrush is also a problem for infants which is an oral infection. White patches show on the roof and inside the cheeks and though normally painless, it can become uncomfortable for the baby to feed. If breastfeeding a mother can get a yeast infection if her baby has thrush and both have to be treated. Symptoms on the mother would be nipples that are purple or red and small white or red patches. When feeding there may be pain that is shooting, and nipples may be overly sensitive.

Doctors should be careful when treating such an infection in the mother, as antibiotics can be passed through the breast milk. Home remedies tried and tested by mothers include eating less yeast in foods and eating more natural live yogurt that contains good bacteria.

Researchers studied the genome of the fungus (the genetic sequence) and found that it was dimorphic, meaning it can change form by rearranging its chromosomal structure. Very few organisms have this unique strategy of adapting. Known as phenotype switching in biological terms, studies have found the fungus can take as many as seven forms.

The problems a fungus infection can cause range in severity. It happens when the candida albicans growth is no longer being checked. This fungus is not the only thing to live in the intestines and there is a balance that is maintained between them where the growth is nullified by each other. This none of the parasites grow and dominate to lead to health problems. Sometimes that balance is disturbed though for example by too much taking of antibiotics which can kill some of those other bacteria therefore allowing the growth of the candida.

When the candida overgrows it leads to a yeast infection and if the conditions are particularly favorable it will spread and grow rapidly to various parts of the body. It can actually prove fatal if completely allowed to take over,(more so for those with weakened immunity already) and so many go on a detox diet to cleanse their colons as well as seeking treatments.

Usual places that become targeted by the candida albicans are the mouth, the digestive system (intestines and esophagus) and the genitals. Constipation and candida are related because it largely infects the gastrointestinal tract. Worse than localised infections are systemic ones, where instead of one place being infected, it is a whole body problem, with several parts being attacked simultaneously. It is vital to treat it at as early as you can before it gets that far. Particularly for those who have low immunity perhaps due to HIV or AIDS.

A yeast infection happens because the fungus Candida albicans grow out of control. Usually these micro organisms are in our bodies but are not a health issue because they are controlled by good bacteria. When something affects our immune system and our good bacteria, the fungus has a chance to grow and spread into an infection. It can affect various parts of the body as it loves warm, damp and dark environments. The most common area it affects is the vagina which is why it is viewed as a female problem, but it can affect men and children too. It can grow on the penis, in the gut, under folds of skin and in the mouth (Thrush).

There are some drugs to avoid as they can cause a yeast infection. Birth control pills can affect the hormonal balance as can steroids. Antibiotics are very much to blame for many people’s infections as they kill good bacteria as well as the bad, which means the fungus is not being kept under control.

It is possible to get a yeast infection from unprotected sex. If the woman has a vaginal yeast infection she can pass it on to the man and he can get it on his penis and vicer versa. Should you be infected either abstain until you are clear or practice safe sex and wear a condom. Do be careful when choosing your condoms though as there are spermicides that can cause infection as they mess up the pH balance.

Avoid douching. Doctors are quite anti douching nowadays for good reasons and there is no need for it as the vagina is self cleaning. Douching also affects the pH of the vagina leading to yeast infection.

Finally make wise clothing choices both in material and how they fit. Tight fitting clothing allows the area to get warm and damp as does synthetic materials. Loose clothing allows air to circulate and wear breathable materials such as cotton or bamboo.