Understanding Yeast Infections
Although the thought of developing a yeast infection can feel 'dirty', yeast is actually a natural part of our bodies, and performs a key role in breaking down and eliminating excess glucose from our systems.
Problems only occur when yeast grows out of control, as the by-products it creates from consuming glucose are irritating to our skin and sensitive mucus membranes.
Yeast infections can cause unpleasant rashes in the mouth and genitals, and also on the hands, feet and under breasts and fatty folds in the skin.
Our bodies do have a natural way of controlling yeast growth, in the form of 'good' bacteria, but poor diet and unhealthy lifestyles can cause an imbalance in the production of these bacteria, meaning that yeast is able to grow and spread out of control causing infection.
Both men and woman can develop yeast infections, but woman are more prone to the condition as the yeast thrives in the warm, moist conditions found in the vaginal area.
Vaginal infections can be embarrassing, but you should seek medical advice to rule out any possible underlying conditions.
Chlamydia, gonorrhea and a host of other more serious conditions can also mimic the symptoms of yeast infections, and a pap smear test can be performed by your doctor to help rule these conditions out and set your mind at ease.
If you suffer from stubborn or reoccurring yeast infections then your doctor may also recommend that a culture be taken for further investigation.
Yeast can sometimes become resistant to antifungal treatments, so prevention is always better than cure.
Make sure you keep your skin and genitals clean and dry and wear loose fitting, natural fibre clothes to allow you skin to breathe.
Synthetic clothes irritate the skin and encourage sweating which can create the warm, moist environments that the yeast thrives in.
Make sure you wash and dry clothes thoroughly before wearing them, and if you go swimming a lot make sure you change out of your damp costume as soon as you have finished, and shower and change into dry clothes.
Yeast infections can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender or lifestyle so you should never feel as if developing an infection is your own fault.
Concentrate on improving areas of your diet and life so that it is less likely to occur again, and don't be afraid to ask for help and advice if the symptoms are proving stubborn and difficult to treat.
Problems only occur when yeast grows out of control, as the by-products it creates from consuming glucose are irritating to our skin and sensitive mucus membranes.
Yeast infections can cause unpleasant rashes in the mouth and genitals, and also on the hands, feet and under breasts and fatty folds in the skin.
Our bodies do have a natural way of controlling yeast growth, in the form of 'good' bacteria, but poor diet and unhealthy lifestyles can cause an imbalance in the production of these bacteria, meaning that yeast is able to grow and spread out of control causing infection.
Both men and woman can develop yeast infections, but woman are more prone to the condition as the yeast thrives in the warm, moist conditions found in the vaginal area.
Vaginal infections can be embarrassing, but you should seek medical advice to rule out any possible underlying conditions.
Chlamydia, gonorrhea and a host of other more serious conditions can also mimic the symptoms of yeast infections, and a pap smear test can be performed by your doctor to help rule these conditions out and set your mind at ease.
If you suffer from stubborn or reoccurring yeast infections then your doctor may also recommend that a culture be taken for further investigation.
Yeast can sometimes become resistant to antifungal treatments, so prevention is always better than cure.
Make sure you keep your skin and genitals clean and dry and wear loose fitting, natural fibre clothes to allow you skin to breathe.
Synthetic clothes irritate the skin and encourage sweating which can create the warm, moist environments that the yeast thrives in.
Make sure you wash and dry clothes thoroughly before wearing them, and if you go swimming a lot make sure you change out of your damp costume as soon as you have finished, and shower and change into dry clothes.
Yeast infections can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender or lifestyle so you should never feel as if developing an infection is your own fault.
Concentrate on improving areas of your diet and life so that it is less likely to occur again, and don't be afraid to ask for help and advice if the symptoms are proving stubborn and difficult to treat.
