Why are pregnant women more likely to get a yeast infection?

During pregnancy, women's bodies produce increased amounts of estrogen.  The excess estrogen production also triggers an increase in production of glycogen in the vagina.  Glycogen is a type of sugar and as we've discussed in previous posts, yeasts thrive on sugar!  This in turn causes an imbalance in the number of yeasts in the vagina, also known as a yeast infection. 

Treatment options recommended by physicians during pregnancy include only vaginal creams and suppositories.  Diflucan and other oral medications have not been proven safe to use during pregnancy and lactation.  Do not let a yeast infection go untreated!  The yeast infection can pass to the baby's mouth during delivery, causing oral thrush which will have to be treated wih Nystatin.

Treatment may take as long as 10 to 14 days, but once the infection has cleared and any sores have disappeared, you may want to use a starch free drying powder to eliminate any excess moisture.  This will help prevent a recurring infection.  There are other pregnancy safe treatment options to prevent recurring yeast infections.

• Wear loose breathable clothing.  Your clothing and underwear should preferably be cotton.
• Use a blow dryer on low/cool after showering to help dry your genital area.
• Always wipe front to back after using the bathroom.
• Shower immediately after swimming or working out.  Change out of swimsuits and workout clothes as soon as possible.
• Don't use feminine hygiene products that contain deodorants, soaps, colors, or perfumes.
• Include probiotics in your everyday diet.
• Limit your consumption of sugar and starches.
• Get plenty of rest and stress relief to boost your body's immune system.
  

Technorati Tags: yeast infection, pregnancy, treatment, cure, symptoms, natural

Bacterial Vaginosis - the look alike condition

Those Hard-to-Clean Places

I have always been someone who had the occasional yeast infection
and, once in a while, bacterial vaginosis (BV). I get that I have a
pussy and every once in a while it goes a little off. But now I seem to
have BV perpetually, and I have a few friends who suffer from the same
problem, even with prescribed treatment. I was wondering if this
bacteria has just foiled all medications and now it's time to try a new
course of action. Diet? Anything? Help! BARBARA VACARRO VAGINA

Michelle Bodner, the naturopath I often consult, confirmed the
possibility of the hypothesis that your BV may be resistant to a
prescribed antibiotic, but added this: "It may also be that it's not BV
at all, but a recurrent yeast infection caused by a non-albicans
species of yeast. There are limited anti-fungal treatments available
and most only treat albicans species. The best solution is to look at
the underlying problem, starting with a proper diagnosis."

A friend who was dealing with hellishly persistent BV for
months has managed to clear it with naturopathic solutions, something
that Dr. Bodner also suggests as an appropriate route: "Treat the
infection naturally, improve vaginal pH and flora balance and support
the immune system. Your partner, male or female, should be treated as
well, as it is possible for either yeast or BV to be transmitted
sexually."

Eye Weekly


Technorati Tags: bacterial vaginosis, candida, yeast infection, albicans, candida

New Drug-Free Treatment for Disease Often Works Where Nothing Else Will: From Yeast Infections to Cancer (press release)

Gary Craig, the Stanford-trained engineer who developed EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), announces that the procedure has helped patients recover from chronic yeast infections without drugs or adverse side effects, as reported by medical doctors and their patients.

The claim is impressive, considering that 35 percent of American women using birth control pills have chronic vaginal yeast infections, and in men, jock itch and athlete’s foot are common. All three conditions are linked to Candida albicans, a naturally occurring yeast that creates problems when it grows out of control. In children, especially those who have been on antibiotics, Candida can cause thrush, a throat infection. Even the family dog’s chronic ear infections are linked to Candida.

Conventional medicine treats yeast and fungal infections with symptom-suppressing drugs, but these drugs can have side effects, and the condition often recurs.

Raul Vergini, MD, appreciates how difficult it is to eliminate candidiasis. When one of his patients couldn’t get rid of the condition he applied EFT. Modeled after acupuncture, EFT uses gentle fingertip tapping to release blocked energy along with stored emotions that contribute to health problems. Dr. Vergini tapped with the patient as they focused on her symptoms.

Two days later, her persistent itching, burning, discharge, and inflamed irritation had disappeared. A follow-up exam showed her to be clinically free from Candida. “She was also able to easily control, with EFT, the burning stomach pain she experienced every evening after dinner, especially when lying down,” Dr. Vergini says.

Los Angeles urologist Eric Robins, MD, blames unresolved emotional issues for 85 percent of all illnesses, especially chronic conditions that don’t respond to conventional therapy. “Some day,” he says, “modern medicine will realize this, and EFT will become a primary healing tool for physicians everywhere. It already is for me.”

Over 225,000 worldwide, including many health care practitioners, have downloaded Craig’s free EFT training manual from the official EFT website, which features reports and case studies on hundreds of illnesses, including cancer. The manual provides all the basics so that anyone can begin using it immediately.

News Target

Technorati Tags: yeast infection, treatment, cures, remedy, alternative, natural

Yeast Infection Cures

Here are the best natural home remedies for yeast infections.

1. Vinegar
1. Drink 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar in water three times a day until the infection clears.
2. Douche with a dilute vinegar solution two times a day until the infection is gone.
2. Probiotics
1. Take acidophilus tablets which are readily available at any pharmacy.
2. Use plain yogurt with live active cultures on the site of infection.  For vaginal yeast infections, dip a tampon into the yogurt and insert the tampon for about half an hour.
3. Eat plenty of yogurt with live active cultures or kefir.
3. Pure unsweetened cranberry juice
4. Make boric acid suppositories with boric acid solution and gel caps from your local pharmacy.  This cure is also effective for bacterial vaginosis.  Insert one suppository every night for two weeks.
   
5. Garlic
1. Eat lots of garlic.
   
2. If you're adventurous, try inserting a clove of garlic for about 30 minutes once a day until the infection clears.  You can also just rub garlic on other infected areas.
6. Vitamin B3, also known as Niacinamide is toxic to yeast!  Take 100 to 500 mg each day until the infection subsides.  You can also apply niacinamide topically to rash or itchy areas.
   

Technorati Tags: yeast infection, cures, remedies, treatments, natural, symptoms, homemade, candida, candiasis

Treatment options for yeast infections

Before you start any course of treatment, you should get a proper diagnosis from your physician. Since misuse of antibiotics is one of the top causes of chronic yeast infections, you want to make sure that what you do have is infact a yeast infection and not some other kind of infection. In addition, if you suspect that you have a vaginal yeast infection, you'll want to notify your physician so that he/she can perform a pelvic examination to rule out other diseases such as trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis.

For vaginal yeast infections, over the counter treatment creams such as miconazole, butoconazole nitrate, tioconazole, and clotrimazole are easily available. They are sold in the United States under the brand names of Femstat 3, Gyne-Lotrimin, Monistat 7, and Vagistat among others. Prescription oral medications such as Diflucan adn Sporanox are also available for severe infections.

However, for mild or first time infections, homemade and natural cures are the safest options. Eating yogurt or kefir which have live cultures of good bacteria is effective for preventing yeast infections. Try douching or covering infected areas with plain, unflavored and sugar free yogurt to restore the natural balance of beneficial bacteria and acidity. Make sure that you use sugar free (this means fruit free!) yogurt! Otherwise the sugar in the yogurt would just feed the yeast and worsen your infection. Another natural treatment would be using vinegar to douche/rinse the infected areas, however this could also cause irritation and kill other beneficial bacteria. You will also want to cut down on foods that contain the following: sugars, starchy vegetables, and yeast (breads, beer, etc.). Eat diets high in garlic and onion as they have powerful anti fungal properties.


Technorati Tags: yeast infection, cures, treatment, natural, homemade, prescription, candida, candiasis

Natural Cures for Yeast Infections - Probiotics

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are basically 'good' bacteria which help us fight diseases and manufacture certain nutrients for us. They also keep the balance of good/harmless bacteria and pathogenic bacteria and yeasts at a safe level.

Since ancient times, man has been ingesting probiotics for health and well-being. This makes sense of course since our digestive system is one of our first lines of defense against pathogenic organisms. Caucasus Mountains populations eat Kefir (from keif which literally means 'good feeling') a cousin of yogurt for it's ability to rejuvenate and bring good health. East Asian populations also have fermented soy products such as miso or natto. Across all cultures, probiotics have been an important in maintaining our immune systems.

However, our modern lifestyles which are filled with indiscriminant use of antibiotics and disinfectants often leave a distorted balance of microflora in our systems. This leaves us susceptible to overgrowths of pathogenic or otherwise harmless (if their populations are controlled) organisms. You may be familiar with the results of such a disruption: vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, bacterial vaginosis, and diarrhea just to name a few.

For information on how to replenish the supply of beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract, see this article on the benefits of probiotics...

ContraCostaTimes.com | 06/30/2006 | 'Good guy' bacteria help maintain well-being

Technorati Tags: probiotics, yeast infection, cures, treatment, candida, candiasis, thrush, supplements

Can I get a yeast infection from someone else?

Although uncommon, yeast infections can be spread from person to person. This is especially true for yeast infections in the genital area. It is possible for a couple to pass candiasis back and forth between them, so it is important to seek treatment if you notice unusual rashes or discharge. So it is important to use a condom and to wash your hands after touching infected areas or discharge.


Technorati Tags: yeast infection, hygiene, infection

Who can get candiasis?

Unfortunately, yeasts do not discriminate in who they choose to infect. Young, old, female, male, sexually active persons, virgins, anybody can get a yeast infection. While it is true that even those who are not sexually active can get an infection, it is also possible to spread candiasis from one person to another.

It is important while the infection is active that clothes be properly laundered with hot water to kill the yeasts. If possible avoid touching or letting others touch rashes and any discharge that's coming from the yeast infection. Always wash your hands to avoid spreading the yeast infection to others or to other areas of your body.


Technorati Tags: yeast, safety, hygiene

What does a yeast infection look like?

For women the first signs of a vaginal yeast infection may be a thick white discharge that causes itching and irritation.

Yeast infections may also occur in the oral cavity. When this happens, it's called thrush. Thick white areas will form in all areas of the mouth, from the tounge, the roof of the mouth, to the cheeks. These white areas will be look like white strands connected to each other, they are not easy to wipe away. Forcibly trying to remove thrush may cause bleeding. The tongue can also become irritated and red. Oral thrush doesn't itch, but it is painful.

Diaper rashes are also cases of candiasis. A yeast infection on moist or irritated areas of skin appear as red patches with smaller red spots around it. These patches may be painful and itch.

In rare cases yeast may enter in to the bloodstream where an infection may go unnoticed until it reached the brain. At that point behavior and mental changes may occur. Those with a weakened immune system, for example those with AIDS, may get candiasis of the internal organs. In particular, it is common for oral thrush to spread down the esophagus and on through the GI tract.

Causes of yeast infections

The yeast organisms Candida albicans are naturally found all over our bodies, however if the balance between healthy bacteria and yeast is disturbed, then the overgrowth of yeast becomes a yeast infection.  Many things can affect this balance of micro organisms, the most common are antibiotics, pregnancy, changes in hormones (birth control pills or menopause), menstruation, steroid use, and diabetes.  Certain people may also be susceptible to Candida overgrowth if they have a weakend immune system or have implanted devices such as catheters.  It is also possible for yeast infections to enter the bloodstream from puncture wounds.

There are also environmental factors which could lead to candida overgrowth.  Yeasts love high pH environments which can be caused by your body's hormonal fluctuations or external causes such as douching, overzealous use of soap in the genital area, or even the use of perfumed personal products.

Another important cause of yeast overgrowth is an increase in heat and moisture.  It is generally true that fungi and bacteria love warm and moist environments, the same is true for Candidal organisms.  In addition to a warm and comfy home for the yeasties, people with high blood sugar levels may also be providing them with a never ending food supply.  Just think about how breads, vinegar, and alcoholic drinks are made...yeasts thrive on sugar!

If some of the above conditions are present and you're lucky enough to have some kind of skin irritation, then look out!  Damage in your skin due to vaginal irritation and allergic reactions are wide open gates welcoming yeast into your system.


Technorati Tags: yeast, causes of infection

What is a yeast infection?

Yeast infections are a fungal overgrowth of naturally ocurring yeast organisms on our skin.  While there are more than 20 species of yeast, the most notable series for causing yeast infections is Candida albicans.  There are various types of yeast infections and they may be called by different names depending on who is infected and where the infection occurs.  Vaginal yeast infections, diaper rash, and oral thrush are all yeast infections.