The common signs of candida on the tongue

Rather surprisingly the health of your tongue can be quite an important indicator for your general health. So if you are noticing something different about how your tongue appears or feels, pay attention. For example a tongue should be a little furry, this is the layer of bacteria that should be there. But if it is overly furry then this may be a sign that the balance of micro-organisms has gone wrong. Common signs of candida on the tongue include;

• A white or grey color
• Scraping a nail leaves a groove in the ‘fur’
• White patches
• Lesions beneath the white patches that bleed
• Discomfort or pain
• Red areas

If this is just an oral yeast infection there may be symptoms elsewhere in the mouth, on the cheeks, the roof of the mouth and down the throat. If it is a sign of an internal intestinal candida problem you may be showing other signs such as;

• Muscle aches and pains
• Headaches
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Gas
• Bloating
• PMS
• Craving sugary foods
• Gaining weight
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Moodiness
• Irritability
• Sight problems

Treating signs of candida on the tongue

Do not scratch or scrape at the white areas as secondary infection is likely to occur. There are oral suspensions, lozenges and so on that you can buy over the counter at a pharmacy that have an anti-fungal active ingredient. Or you can look at alternative options that are natural, herbal and so on. Effectiveness of both really depends on the person, their health and the seriousness of the infection. It may be that you need something stronger and will need to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis and prescribed medicated treatment. Adult oral yeast infections are not common in otherwise healthy individuals; they are more a problem for those with weakened immune systems such as HIV or AIDS patients. However Thrush is common in young babies. It is best to not treat this yourself though, if it is affecting the baby’s feeding and causing them distress see your doctor.

Leaky Gut Syndrome

When the candida that lives inside the gut becomes pathogenic and multiplies in numbers it can attack the intestinal lining and cause tiny holes. This then allows the fungus to spread through the body, as well as the toxins, bacteria and even some partially digested food into the blood. It means too that the body is not getting the nutrients it needs for a healthy immune system, as food is not being digested as it should be. The undesired foreign bodies in the blood trigger a response from the body and symptoms of ill health occur. These include;

• Fatigue
• Rashes
• Allergies
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Moodiness
• Gas
• Poor focus and memory

Some literature also speculates or links LGS and candida with other conditions as the contaminated blood reaches other organs and affects their performance such as;

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Crohn’s disease
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Lupus
• Fibromyalgia

Causes and treatment

LGS and candida are not the only thing that can cause the syndrome, things like a poor diet, food allergies, certain medications, antibiotics, not enough fiber, too much alcohol, parasites, bacteria, low in zinc, IBS to name a few. Treatment means understanding the cause and seeing what can be done about that, as well as dealing with the symptoms. For LGS and Candida you need to re-balance your intestinal micro flora, take probiotics and use digestive enzymes, eat a healthy diet that does not feed the candida (see the candida diet option) and replace the nutrients you need by taking supplements. You can also choose to do a detox to cleanse the toxins out of your body and there are anti-fungal but natural treatment options such as pau d’arco for example that can be taken alongside.

Esophageal candidiasis

Candida is a fungus that lives in us already but is controlled in numbers by our immune system and the good bacteria we have. In people with weakened immune systems, this control is not as successful and the candida can overgrow and cause yeast infections. This is in part because the immune system cannot deal with it, and also because of the medications these people are probably on. And if that treatment includes antibiotics then this may have killed the good bacteria that live inside the body and usually help keep the fungus within acceptable and safe numbers.

Common esophageal candida symptoms include;

• Difficulty swallowing because of the inflammation caused by the candida overgrowth
• Chest pain
• Pain when swallowing
• A feeling that food is stuck in their throat or esophagus
• Weight loss because they are unable to eat enough
• Vomiting and/or nausea
• Bad taste in the mouth

Since patients with this form of yeast infection usually have oral candidiasis they may also have the following symptoms;

• Lesions on the hard and soft palates, gums, cheeks, under the tongue
• Creamy white patches on the mucosal surfaces that when scraped show a bleeding, red, inflamed area beneath it
• There may be cracks at the corners of the mouth
• Difficulty chewing
• Soreness
• Discomfort / pain

Treating esophageal candida symptoms

Treatment depends on whether that patient is able to swallow, as there is no point in giving them pills to take if they cannot get them down. If this is the case then an IV treatment can be given. Anti-fungal drugs are used, and the one chosen depends on your history, resistance and severity. Treatment usually lasts between 2 to 3 weeks. Common options include fluconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, caspofungin, micafungin, or anidulafungin.

About candida

When an overgrowth of candida in the gut occurs this means a large number of toxins, around 70 different types are being released into the body. Examples include symosan which causes inflammation and has been linked to psoriasis, or arabinitol, a toxin that can affect the brain, immune system and nervous system. There is also the problem that many people are actually allergic to candida itself. This can trigger various allergic responses such as asthma, hives and eczema. This can affect anyone, women, men and children.

Understanding Eczema

Before we look at eczema and the overgrowth of candida albicans lets learn a little more about this skin condition. For a healthy skin a human needs to get the right kinds of nutrients, including fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, water, amino acids and carbohydrates and needs to avoid toxins that are allergens and can trigger reactions such as aluminum, lead, pollen, food, dust, molds and yeasts, and so on. Causes of eczema can involve something being out of balance in your body such as an imbalance in hormones, it can be something that is not working right with your digestive system. James Barker N.D wrote in an article that,

“…the gut then is the door through which a majority of disease initiates its entrance into the body.. .. It goes without saying that…the first area of treatment then for the patient displaying eczema should be the gastrointestinal lining, without a doubt.”

Eczema and the overgrowth of candida albicans – the link

There are a couple of ways eczema and the overgrowth of candida albicans may be linked. First of all we know that candida albicans can cause gut problems, which means your body and skin is not getting the nutrients it needs. Secondly candida and the many toxins it releases are very much allergens that can trigger a skin reaction such as eczema. The toxins can cause the immune system to over react to what is just normal stimuli. And the organs that help detoxify and clean our skin, the liver and kidneys are also overburdened and unable to perform as they are meant to. Therefore treatment of eczema may well need to include a treatment of candida albicans overgrowth.

Symptoms of each type

Thrush or oral candidiasis has white patches on the tongue, cheeks, sometimes the roof of the mouth, beneath which can be lesions that bleed if touched. There is pain and burning. Esophageal candidiasis is where the infection is just in the throat so yes is the answer to can candida be present in the esophagus but not the mouth, since it has its own term and symptoms. They include difficulty swallowing, feeling like food is caught in the throat, pain, vomiting, nausea, fever and sometimes weight loss. In severe cases it can even cause respiratory problems. Oropharyngeal when both exist has potentially all of those symptoms at once.

How can candida be present in the esophagus but not the mouth?

As said candida can become a problem anywhere, however while it is possible, it is rare for a person to get just a throat yeast infection. In most cases a patient who has candida overgrowth in the esophagus will also have some amount in their mouths.

Treatment

If you are not pregnant azole oral therapy is usually effective, Fluconazole, clotrimazole, posaconazole, itraconazole for example. Other oral treatments include Nystatin oral suspension. For the throat treatment depends on whether the patient is able to swallow, as there are anti-fungal pills that can be given, if they cannot then they are put on IV therapy. Drugs can be the azoles but may also be micafungin, anidulafungin, caspofungin or amphotericin B. If they have a resistance to treatment, the type of candida needs to be checked. Drug choices by the doctor depend on the patient’s medical history, their current health, what other medications they are taking and chances of relapse. Maintenance treatment can be used for some patients.

Candida albicans

Candida is not something you get infected with, like a dermatophyte yeast for example or a bad virus. Candida already lives in the human body but in small numbers so that it doesn’t hurt you or cause any negative symptoms. It is not the only microorganism that lives in us, there are many, some harmless, some actually that need as part of our immune system like the friendly, good or beneficial bacteria, also called probiotics. These are actually part of the police force of our immune system that control the candida and make sure it does not overgrow. Sometimes this system fails though, through diet, stress, antibiotics and so on. Then the candida albicans goes from benign yeast to a pathogenic fungus releasing over 70 toxins into our body. It is those toxins that cause the various symptoms and it is in this way how candida affects depression.

How candida affects depression specifically

It is quite possible you have been suffering with depression, even been taking depression medication and it is being caused by candida overgrowth. Many people who have worked out that candida is the problem will have found that their doctors were not that receptive to the idea. Some think you are a hypochondriac, some think its stress, or part of the depression. It may be too that you are not communicating with your doctor as clearly as you might have been if you were not dealing with the symptoms. Take a look at just some of the mental symptoms that have been attributed to the overgrowth of candida;

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Fogginess
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Anxiety
• Unable to concentrate
• Mood swings
• Feeling low
• Poor memory
• Irritability
• Learning difficulties

Treatment

This site does not recommend coming off medication without talking to your doctor first. However you can talk to your doctor about dealing with your candida and if you get nowhere with that doctor you can try others. You can also take steps to deal with the candida yourself and then talk with them about changing or reducing your medication to see if this helps. Look to your diet and cut out sugars, and foods that feed the fungus. Avoid antibiotics that kill the good bacteria in your body. Try to find ways to relax and manage stress. Take probiotic supplements and make sure you are getting enough nutrients in your diet, or supplement those too. You can detox to help clear out your system and there are alternative treatments to consider such as herbal, homeopathic, and so on. Again check it is okay to use any of these with any anti-depression medication you are taking.

Mycotoxins and how does candida cause fatigue

Candida releases toxins which the body can deal with when it is at a low amount. When there is an overgrowth and an imbalance occurs this means a large number of toxins are being released into your body. This leads to unpleasant symptoms and ill health that includes fatigue but might also include;

• ·       Abdominal pain
• ·       Joint pain
• ·       Mouth yeast infection
• ·       Weight gain
• ·       Bloating, indigestion, gas
• ·       Confusion
• ·       Mental fogginess
• ·       Depression
• ·       Urinary infection
• ·       Rashes
• ·       Genital infection
• ·       Mood swings
• ·       Acne
• ·       Food sensitivities and or cravings
• ·       Itching
• ·       Headaches

Often candida caused symptoms including fatigue are attributed to other illnesses, and misdiagnosis can occur. Abdominal symptoms are thought to be IBS, joint pain called arthritis, fatigue called chronic fatigue syndrome and so on. However there is a growing number of people that believe there may be a link between candida and these illnesses. Dr. Zoltan P. Rona writes in his book that;

“Autoimmune diseases [including conditions like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia] often respond to antifungal treatments. Evidence exists that fungi, through their production of mycotoxins, initiate many autoimmune diseases by triggering inflammation in the intestinal tract, which in turn leads to the development of the ‘leaky gut syndrome’. Diseases of ‘unknown etiology’ often have a fungal connection, with treatment of the fungal infection bringing about an improvement or elimination of that disease.”

CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and Candida

At the moment when people ask how does candida cause fatigue this refers to general fatigue not CFS – doctors do not believe that fungus causes chronic fatigue syndrome. But it is possible that the fungus aggravates it and it has been found that treatments for yeast and fungus do help. Candida in its pathogenic state develops long filament type structures that are able to perforate the lining of the gut. This allows toxins, tiny amounts of undigested food and other foreign matter into the bloodstream and causes the body to become polluted. It also affects proper digestion meaning necessary nutrients are not being absorbed which also affects your energy and fatigue levels. If you have CFS this just makes things worse.

Symptoms of the intestines

Often people with candida and coughing will also have intestinal symptoms from an internal overgrowth. Symptoms include having frequent stomach upset, struggling with constipation or diarrhea, and nausea or vomiting. This can be caused by too many toxins in the stomach the candida releases as waste. There can also be blocking and the lower esophagus can become inflamed.

Respiration problems

Obviously asthma causes respiration problems, but having candida and coughing is also indicative of respiration problems. Sometimes the cough starts out as occasional but can soon develop into something far more persistent and difficult to live with. You will find that your cough does not respond to cough medicine and your symptoms worsen at night or when you are reclined. Other respiration symptoms that may come along with candida and coughing are wheezing, difficulty catching your breath, and a feeling of tightness around the chest area as is something heavy is sitting on it, bronchitis, congestion, clogged sinuses, nasal itching, sinus infection, excess mucous, and sneezing.

Why it may be mistaken for the flu

Very commonly a person with candida and coughing will also have some flu like symptoms which is why it may be mistaken for the flu or some such illness at first. You can feel weak, fatigued, have difficulty doing your every day chores or work, have a sore throat and so on.

Other physical signs

Other physical symptoms include;

• Oral candidiasis
• diaper rash if in an infant
• vaginal or penis yeast infection
• PMS like symptoms
• blurred vision
• if the infection is also in the kidneys there may be bloody urine

Respiratory tract candidiasis

There are actually several types of candidiasis that can cause coughing symptoms apart from the aggravation of asthma. These include;

• Candida tracheobronchitis – Not a common form and usually only found in patients with weakened immune systems such as those with HIV. Symptoms of this invasive candidiasis are a productive cough, fever and shortness of breath.
• Laryngeal candidiasis – Again not common and usually found in patients with oncologic or hematologic malignancies. Symptoms include a sore throat, coughing and being hoarse.
• Candida pneumonia – A person is very unlikely to get this on its own, they are more likely to have other systemic candida problems alongside it. There can be lung abscesses, a lot of candida in the respiratory tract, coughing, shortness of breath, fever, breathing sounds.

Treating candida and coughing

If the coughing is from a respiratory tract infection then systemic anti-fungal therapy will be started. This may include fluconazole, caspofungin, anidulafungin, micafungin, voriconazole or amphotericin B depending on how invasive it is and what candida species is causing the infection.

Female yeast infections are far more common which is probably how the misunderstanding started, but if you are unlucky enough as a guy to get  a candida infection the symptoms are just as severe compared to what a woman would suffer. These candida symptoms include itching that won’t go away on the penis, blisters and or a rash on the head and shaft of the penis as well as pain when having sex and urinating. In severe cases it can even cause sexual dysfunction.

Therefore early detection and treatment is very important. A lot will go to their doctor hoping that a prescribed treatment will offer them a quick fix, but there are natural options that are equally quick and far more beneficial for your overall health. An exploration of natural treatments in generally includes looking at changes to your lifestyle and diet that will target the root cause of the infection. With quick treatment you can avoid the nastier affects that come about from advanced stages of a yeast infection.

Even if you decide to go natural, you should still visit your doctor for a confirmed diagnosis. He or she will also be able to recommend treatment options that will suit your case. You should straight away abstain from sex though as a yeast infection, though not classed as an STD can be transmitted via sexual intercourse.

If you are too embarrassed to talk to your doctor about it there are products you can get over the counter, most of which are aimed at women, but will work just as well for men. But natural remedies are just as easy to find and use and are cheaper too! Alongside those you need to avoid starchy and sugary foods. Also cut out fermented products like beer, and cut down on red meat. Eat more fruit and vegetables and drink lots of water.

Common vaginal candida symptoms:

Itching – The most common symptom and a very frustrating and difficult one to suffer through. If there is extended vaginal itching you certainly have an infection of some kind there.

Pain – Not usually on its own, but alongside other symptoms. The pain may be inside the vagina or on the lips. It is something that is usually more clearly felt when having sex and / or when urinating.

Odor – Despite common belief that yeast infection means you smell fishy this is not the case. A fishy odor is more an indication of a bacterial infection rather than a fungal one and that means you need to look at taking probiotics. There can be an odor with a yeast infection, some say it smells yeasty.

Burning – A feeling inside and outside the vagina – named vaginal burning – another very common vaginal candida symptom.

Discharge – Varies in color from white to yellowish or sometimes clear. Consistency is often compared to cottage cheese but it can be thin too so diagnosis cannot be made on just this vaginal symptom.

Redness and swelling – Easy one to observe. If alongside the swelling and redness you see a rash too this is a very large sign that a yeast infection is happening.

To begin treatment even before you see your doctor there are some things you can do safely. Keep the are clean cool and dry, eat more live yogurt and cut out sugar from your diet.

Vaginal yeast infection symptoms

A yeast infection is caused by the overgrowth of a fungus called Candida Albicans and the vaginal yeast infection is the most common form in women. This is because the very nature of the vagina, damp and warm, is the perfect place for the yeast to live and breed. As soon as there are some hormonal or chemical changes and the pH of the vagina gets altered the yeast will grow. Main symptoms are burning, itching, soreness and sometimes a white cottage cheesey discharge. There can also be pain when urinating and having sex. There are over the counter remedies as well as many natural ones such as garlic, yogurt and tea tree oil.

Skin candida symptoms

Happens where there are skin folds so is more common if you are overweight or obese. Particularly happens on the groin area. As well as the itching there may be a red rash. Skin yeast infection usually appears if you are suffering from a systemic yeast infection and can be treated with the application of an anti-fungal cream.

Mouth yeast infection symptoms

Oral yeast infection is otherwise known as Thrush and affects the throat as well as the mouth. It can be the result of a chronic condition, overuse of antibiotics or from oral sex with an infected partner. The yeast infection symptoms for women are the same as for men, pain when swallowing, the feeling of having something at the back of your mouth or throat, a dry mouth, white patches and red sores on the cheeks, throat or tongue.

As long as there is sugar and carbohydrates being fed into the body these symptoms will last. Antibiotics also need to reduced if you are taking them for a prolonged time. Though they may kill bacterial infections they help yeast ones. When using anti-fungals to treat the infection keep in mind that if you kill the yeast in a short duration it will cause them to release more toxins. Those symptoms can carry on for 2 days up to as much as a week. If you are getting a lot of these symptoms reduce how much anti-fungal treatment you are taking. The symptoms include:

• A desire for sweet sugary foods and carbohydrates
• Chest pain, heart palpitations, sinusitis.
• Tiredness, headaches, fatigue.
• Joint soreness, itching on the body with pain, muscle cramps.
• Allergic reactions causing rashes on the body.
• Anxiety, blurred vision, sudden mood swings, sleepiness, depression.
• Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, bloating.
• Hypotension, fever, sore throat, chills, sweating.

To prevent yeast infections, drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day to flush out the candida. Vitamin C supplements are a good idea as well as more fiber. If you have already cut out carbohydrates try reintroducing foods rich in them but in small quantities. You want to avoid being constipated so magnesium citrate can help with that. On an empty stomach also try ground flax seeds in lukewarm water and then stir and drink. Another way to draw out toxins is to take an Epsom salt bath, or a steam bath. Sleeping well and being rested is also important.

With proper care, it can be taken care of. Your diet is important too, low in carbs eating more chicken, non starchy vegetables and meat. Avoid sugar and fermented foods like bread, mushrooms and cheese.

Yeast infection symptoms can vary from sufferer to sufferer and also depend on where the infection is located on the body. The most common type of yeast infection is vaginal, which is why it incorrectly is viewed as a female health problem. In fact anyone, both genders, and any age can get it. Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection include soreness, itching, pain when urinating, general pain and discomfort around the vagina, redness and an unusual discharge. Sometimes there is an odor. A skin yeast infection has the symptoms of itchiness, redness, soreness, the appearance of a rash and dryness.

The fungus that causes a yeast infection can grow anywhere on the body though it does prefer moist and warm areas, which is why genital and mouth yeast infections are the more common. Leaving a yeast infection untreated is not a good idea, as it will not just go away. It will worsen and could possibly lead to more serious health problems. Eventually you will be forced to seek medical help anyway so you may as well do it right away when the discomfort is less and the treatment is more likely to work.

There are more general candida symptoms that can also appear with a yeast infection that you may at first wave off as just being under the weather. These include mood swings, fatigue, urinary problems, headaches, stomach and bowel problems and irritability, and there are many more. If you notice more than one of these things at once it could mean you have an infection.

It is easy to treat once you are sure that is what you have. There are conventional treatments both from the doctor or over the counter, and there are also safe and effective natural remedies that will relieve you of the candida symptoms and have you identify and deal with the root cause.

Common yeast infection symptoms in women: itching, pain when having sex or when urinating, a yeast odor, a vaginal discharge that is cottage cheese like. In more severe cases of yeast infections there may also be tiredness and fatigue, the vagina may be severely swollen, dryness of the skin may have caused cracks, walking becomes difficult.

Common candida symptoms in men: the penis and genital area is itchy and red, next to the main rash are smaller well defined rashes, also a possible white discharge that is like cottage cheese.

Other yeast infection symptoms: Thrush (oral/mouth yeast infection) has white thick crusts on the tongue, cheeks and roof of the mouth, under which are red lesions. Pain is felt when eating or swallowing. Skin yeast infection appears often in folds of skin, so the obese are more prone. This has a itchy and red rash that may have edges that are a little raised. Babies can experience yeast infections in the diaper area, mistaken often for a diaper rash at first, but it does not respond to diaper rash creams. Another symptom is the nails being damaged, broken or discolored.

It is important to treat a yeast infection as soon as you can to avoid other complications and to stop the condition becoming more severe. If it gets into the blood stream it can lead to further symptoms such as chest pains, joint pains, acne and irritable bowel syndrome. If it covers the intestinal walls it can disrupt the digestive process preventing you from absorbing all the nutrients you need leading to other health problems.

Candida can also leave toxins in us that can make our immune system even weaker and attacks certain key organs. Systemic candida can even lead to blindness, fevers, kidney failure, heart murmer and bleeding disorders.

A vaginal yeast infection happens when a fungus called candida albicans overgrows. It leads to symptoms such as a vaginal discharge that is unusual, thick and white or pale yellow like cottage cheese. This symptom is less common though than others. There is also sometimes a starchy or yeast odor but again many women have no odor at all. The more common symptoms are how to identify that you have an infection and they include an itching that worsens the longer you have the infection. A burning and redness as well as the vulva being sore and possibly swollen. There may also be pain when having sex and pain when urinating.

Sometimes a sufferer may confuse the burning sensation that can be felt with the infection, with a urinary tract infection. But with a vaginal yeast infection the burning that is felt is when the urine is passed and touches the sore sensitive vulva skin. On the other hand if it was a urinary tract infection the burning would be felt as soon as the urine started passing down the urinary tract, rather than just when it touches the skin of the vulva.

If a woman is unlucky enough to have yeast infections four or more times a year they are classed as having a recurring problem and this really needs to be dealt with by a doctor.

If the yeast infection is not treated at this point then symptoms can continue to develop and become more varied. Halitosis, jock itch, loose stools, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, memory loss, problems with the digestive tract, irritability are all possible as well many more.

There are things that a man can do to minimize his chances of getting a yeast infection. For example a man that is circumcised is less likely to get a yeast infection than a man who is uncircumcised due to the hygiene involved and also because the latter does not have head exposed to air circulation. A weaker immune system can also put you at risk as can a disease like diabetes.

Antibiotics are another main factor as they kill all the bacteria in the body, not just the bad ones that are making you ill. You want the good bacteria in your body because it is them that keep the fungus under control. When those are depleted the fungus overgrows and becomes a yeast infection. If you are having to take a prolonged course of antibiotics it is a good idea to take steps to top up and replenish the good bacteria. You can do this by adding probiotics to you diet, either in foods such as plain natural yogurt, or as oral supplements in pill form.

However the majority of male yeast infection cases have occurred when the man has had sexual contact with a woman who has a vaginal yeast infection symptoms. It is important that both partners treat themselves if one has a yeast infection as it is possible the other does too. If you do not make sure of this, you might cure yourself of your infection only to get it again next time you have sex.

Because of the possibilities in passing it on during sexual activity and the health risks that can arise if it is left untreated, men who suspect they have yeast infection symptoms should get a diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible.

The yeast infection is the result of an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans and is very common in the vagina. But there are other vaginal infections that have similar symptoms and so usually vaginal secretions can be examined under a microscope to be certain. In most cases a yeast infection is not a serious condition, as long as it is diagnosed and treated properly.

The definitive way to diagnose a vaginal yeast infection is by undergoing a full gynecological exam and lab tests being conducted. An instrument called a speculum is used to hold the vagina open and it can be a little uncomfortable due to the pressure. A swab is then taken of the vaginal discharge and cultures may be taken to check for other diseases. The yeast infection test involves the swab being mixed with a drop of potassium hydroxide. If a certain branching pattern can be seen under the microscope it indicates the presence of yeast.

The exam may then lead to the doctor inserting two fingers into the vagina to check for tenderness or problems with the ovaries, uterus or surrounding areas. Blood and urine samples may also be taken. An accurate diagnosis can be made difficult if a woman has sex or douches one to two days before an exam, so avoid both.

When testing toddlers their skin is scraped and then looked at under a microscope. Toddlers typically get yeast infections because they thrive in areas such as a warm, wet diaper. If it seems a toddler has a diaper rash but it has not cleared up after a couple of days then visit your child’s doctor to get it examined. Untreated yeast infections in toddlers can cause great discomfort, so if you want to help your kid you’ll need an accurate diagnosis.

Symptoms vary from one person to another so the best way to be sure you have a yeast infection is to have a doctor diagnose it. Half of people who self diagnose themselves with a yeast infection actually have something else, so whatever symptoms you are exhibiting, get some professional advice.

Candida is a type of yeast and when it overgrows an infection is the result. It can happen on various parts of the body, though most commonly it happens in the vagina because it is such a perfect environment for it there. It is particularly likely to happen around a menstruation, when pregnant or when menopausal, because of the hormone changes and the pH in the vagina changing.

Symptoms that commonly occur are:
• A persistant itching
• Redness and rawness of the vulva (around the vagina)
• Discharge that is thick and white or yellowish and may smell of yeast. (If it has a fishy smell this is more an indication of bacterial vaginosis rather than a yeast infection, it is common for the two conditions to be confused).
• When urinating there can be a burning feeling.
• Pain or discomfort during sex.

You need to address how the overgrowth happened in order to get rid of the infection permanently. Anti-fungal creams will not do this, they are just treating the symptoms and in fact 3 out of 4 women get the infection back again after such treatments in just a few weeks time. As the yeast spreads there can be other symptoms such as depression, tiredness, skin irritation, headaches, muscle aches and constipation.

Try to stop using antibiotics, make dietary changes such as cutting out sugary foods, coffee, carbs, dairy and alcohol. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Use natural remedies for the symptoms such as tea tree oil, oregano oil, vinegar, acidophilus, garlic and gential violet.

• Live or cultured yogurt is very popular amongst sufferers. Eat it to re-establish good bacteria in your body. They are the micro organisms that will keep the yeast under control. It can also be put directly onto the infected area to soothe those burning and itching symptoms. Use a finger (washed of course) to apply. Alternatively dip a tampon in the yogurt and insert it, or freeze the tampon then insert it for an even better cooling feeling! This then treats an exisiting condition as well as helps build up the good bacteria to prevent future infections.

• Another smelly but effective remedy is garlic. Eat plenty of fresh garlic each day; around 4 times, for results that will become obvious within a week. A peeled clove can be used as a suppository by peeling it then wrapping it in cheesecloth, then dipping in olive oil then inserting it. Leave it there for several hours (if the partner can stand it!) Make sure you leave a bit of cloth hanging down so you can remove it the same way you would a tampon. Garlic can be crushed and made into a paste to apply directly. Though it may burn initially this passes and then you get the antifungal. antibacterial and antiviral benefits.

• Finally tea tree oil can be used for healing and soothing of symptoms. Drip some on a cotton ball and apply or dip a tampon in olive oil, then drip a few drops of tea tree oil on and insert it.

Other actions you can take to help clear up an infection and stop from getting them ever again are cleaning and drying yourself properly and regularly. Try to air out the affected regions; go naked in bed! Wear cotton or other breathable materials. Avoid scented soaps and detergents and any perfumed prodcuts that touch that area of the body. After wet activities like swimming or the sauna get out of the wet bathing suit as soon as you can.

• Sensitivity or even pain during sex or when you urinate.
• An odor from the penis or vagina that is unusual, some report it as yeasty. If the smell is fishy this is not a yeast infection but a different problem.
• Itching is a very common symptom and one of the more difficult ones to cope with.
• The vagina or penis can become very red and swollen.
• There can be irritation and burning feelings.

Other signs of an infection are problems that affect other areas of the body.

• Problems with digestion like gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation and cramps.
• Skin outbreaks of acne, psoriasis and eczema.
• Depression
• Tiredness
• Mood swings
• Unable to sleep
• Irritable
• Aches and pains in muscles and joints particularly hips and knees.

As there are so many symptoms some people can go months before a proper diagnosis and treatment is made because these conditions could be so many other health problems. Even doctors misdiagnose sometimes.

Candida is a common problem for many people, some even have recurring yeast infections. It is important that once you know what you have, you get it treated as ignoring it can lead to serious health problems. It can even become life threatening.

Usually people turn to over the counter treatments or prescribed drugs from their doctor but find the problem comes back because only the symptoms are being treated not the root cause. This is why so many people turn to natural remedies today and if you follow the right advice they are a great remedy for the symtpoms as well as advice on gettting to the root cause.