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Here is a little background on candida yeast infections.

According to Wikipedia, the genus Candida and species Candida albicans were described in 1923 by botanist Christine Marie Berkhout in her doctoral thesis at the University of Utrecht.There have been changes in the classifications over the years.

The candida genus includes approximately 150 species.  However, only a few are known to cause human infections.Candida albicans is the most significant.Some others include Candida krusei, Candida dubliniensis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida lusitaniae, Candida tropicalis, and Candida glabrata.

Although candida yeasts can usually be found in the body, their growth is normally limited.  Growth is kept down by the human immune system and by other microorganisms, including bacteria.

About one fifth of women have small numbers of candida in their vagina, yet do not have a noticeable yeast infection.

The vagina contains good bacteria such as lactobacilli, and when the balance is upset a yeast infection can grow.

Risk factors are:

Douching 
Hormones that are out of balance
Stress  
Pregnancy 
Oral contraceptives 
Yeast spread from the anus
The glycerin in some lubricants
Diabetes
Antibiotics 
Antibacterials 
Diet  

People are more likely to get a Candida yeast infection if their immune system is weakened.  In extreme cases, the superficial infections of the skin and mucous membranes may enter the bloodstream and cause systemic Candida infections.

Genital yeast infection is more common in women than in men.Sexual intercourse with an infected partner along with low immunity, the use of antibiotics, and diabetes are some of the main causes.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a candida yeast infection vary depending on the area affected.

Infection of the vagina or vulva may cause severe itching, burning, soreness, and irritation, and a whitish or whitish-gray discharge, often with a curd-like appearance.

Male yeast infections can include red patchy sores on the genitals, with an itching or burning feeling. Penis yeast infection can also have a white or watery discharge, although this is not common.It’s quite common to have a yeast infection without localized symptoms.

Diagnosis

Physicians usually use microscopic examination and/or culturing to diagnose yeast infections.

A scraping or swab is put on a microscope slide.10% potassium hydroxide solution is applied.The solution leaves the candida cells intact while dissolving the skin cells.

In the culturing method the swab is incubated on a culture medium for a few days.The way they grow may allow a diagnosis of what is causing the disease.

Treatment

Candida is most commonly treated with antifungal drugs in the form of pills, creams or suppositories in the case of vaginal candida yeast infection.

This is usually an effective treatment, but symptoms night come back in a few weeks or months.

To really stop the recurring candida yeast infections permanently it’s important to change and keep healthy the environment within the body, where the yeast grows.A holistic and natural approach is usually needed.

 

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