Antibiotics and Yeast Infections

Antibiotics are one of the most frequent causes of yeast infections. The antibiotics, while designed to eradicate harmful bacteria from our bodies but frequently it eliminates the good bacteria as well as the offending bacteria. This causes an imbalance that results in a yeast infection. The good bacteria balance the growth of yeast in the body.

The balance of good yeast to bad yeast is destroyed with the use of antibiotics. Once yeast begins to multiply, it can easily get out of control causing a yeast infection.

Candida Yeast Infection. The ailment is known as candidiasis.

Too be sure, antibiotics aren't the only source of yeast infections. Diet, hormonal changes, menopause and pregnancy can lead to yeast imbalances and infections.

Yeast infections that are the result of antibiotics occurs because the antibiotics disturbs the yeast balances in the body. Consuming glucose or sugar are considered hormonal causes.. Women are particularly prone to this ailment because their natural vaginal secretions combined with menstrual blood are both rich in glucose. It's an open enticement to multiplying yeast. This ends up as vaginal candidiasis.

People with a lowered immune system are susceptible to yeast infections. People afflicted with diabetes or HIV are prime Candida Yeast Infections. In the case of diabetes, the blood sugar level feeds the body's yeast. If you have a damaged or compromised immune system and suspect you have a yeast infection, see a doctor.

Stress is also another factor that leads to yeast infections. By worrying excessively, you suppress your immune system. A weak immune system is like an open door, not only to yeast infections, but also other infections.

If you want to reduce the odds of contracting yeast infection, there are precautions that you can take. Baggy clothing is a good idea as is watching for changes in your skin, particularly dry or greasy spots. Reducing sugar in your diet will help starve the Candida Yeast Infections, the yogurt will work either orally or in the vaginal cavity via a tampon.

Intestinal Yeast Infections Have Many Causes

Intestinal yeast infections are becoming a problem for more people now that they use too. This is because of more people now being prescribed antibiotics and other drugs that upset the body's natural bacterial and chemical balance. Once you've discovered the cause of your internal Candida Yeast Infection. And this is more common if the sufferer is eating a lot of sugar or a lot of foods that contain sugar. So if you have a sweet tooth you need to change your diet.

Sugar feeds yeast and fungus, and it is their favorite food. If you want to cure an intestinal yeast infection then the first thing you must do is give up eating sugar. If you don't then you'll be taking anti fungal drugs to alleviate your symptoms for a very long time. Most sufferers that don't eat a diet that helps to cure their infection will be on oral anti fungal drugs for months or even years.

Another common cause of internal yeast infections is the use of antibiotics. These anti bacterial drugs kill good bacteria, and your body needs these to keep the Candida Yeast Infection it has been kept under control by the good bacteria in your body.

If you're suffering from an internal fungal infection then you need to cleanse your body as soon as possible. The fungus will just keep on feeding until it perforates your intestines, and then toxins from the fungus will enter your bloodstream. You could even be suffering from some of the symptoms already that are caused by a leaky gut. Aching muscles and joints are common, and other symptoms that affect the brain are common as well. These are depression, mood swings and concentration problems.

To cure an intestinal yeast infection you must re-balance the bacteria in your body. At the moment you have too much Candida in your body, and the friendly bacteria can no longer keep it under control. Once the friendly bacteria gets high in numbers and the Candida gets low in numbers you'll soon be fully cured.

At Home Remedies Yeast Infections - How to Cure Your Infection!

The facts about yeast infection is that most people are afraid of contacting the ailment that they fail to understand how to prevent and treat it from appearing or spreading. Before looking at home remedies for yeast infection it is important you understand the ailment. Yeast infections primarily inflict women who are in the age group within which they can naturally bear a child. According to medical reports more than 75-80% of this infection is caused by a fungus known as Candida Yeast Infection the natural or herbal remedies have been proven to work best because they have no side effect and even after treatment has been completed you can still continue using these treatment so as to ensure that the infections do not occur a second time.

Here are listed a couple of the home remedies for yeast You Can Use To Cure It:

1. Curds or yogurt is regarded as one of the best home remedies. In fact it is advised that you use a soaked tampon into curds and you place it on the infected part of your body at least for an hour. What this does is that the healthy required bacteria from the curds will replace the unhealthy yeast bacteria. This could be repeated twice to thrice a day.

2. You can be regularly daubing apple cider vinegar in the areas infected or prone to this infection. Your can add some garlic to stop the itchy feeling; and water to dilute the vinegar concentration.

3. A mixture of olive leaf extract with grapefruit seed extraction and a glass of water is a good curative tonic for this infection.

Get Rid of Yeast Infections - 4 Easy Tips!

Most women try to get rid of yeast infection by making a trip to the nearest drugstore and purchasing some over advertised OTC medicine.  They dutifully go home, apply the cream, or insert the suppository and wait the prescribed amount of time for the burning and itching to go away!  3 weeks later, they do it all over again! 

Someone smarter than me said that the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.  The modern way we go about getting rid of yeast infection seems like the epitome of insanity.  What women need is an all natural way that works once and for all.  We need a way to treat the symptoms which are sometimes bad enough to drive us mad.  Who can stand the burning and itching, the painful urination, the ugly discharge and the painful intercourse?  It is normal that we focus on these because they are the "face" of the Candida Yeast Infection then you can start with the following advice.  These bits of advice are by no means a complete approach to fighting yeast infections but they are a start:

Watch what you wear:  Wear breathable clothing that will allow your vaginal area to breathe and stay dry.  Cotton undergarments are best since they are perfect at whisking away moisture and allowing air circulation.  The last thing you need is some synthetic garbage that will keep your private area hot and damp (the best environment for yeast growth) Refrain from having sex until you are over the infection:  The best way to prolong a Candida Yeast Infection, you must go further. Treat the underlying cause of your yeast infection.  Why is it happening?  What triggers it? There is a reason why yeast is taking over and you must address that reason. This is understandable the most difficult part of treating the condition.

Yeast Infections: Ancient Microbes, Modern Plague

Yeast infections have been around since ancient times. Although ancient healers couldn't identify Candida Yeast Infections, they were able to successfully treat yeast infections using herbs with natural anti-fungal properties. Microscopic fungi like Candida Yeast Infections in humans were rare until modern times when two major factors set the stage to make yeast overgrowth in America as common as apple pie:

1. Antibiotics - The overuse of antibiotics is a major cause of yeast infections and other forms of fungal overgrowth. Modern antibiotics don't discriminate between the pathogens they target and the beneficial microorganisms or probiotics that normally inhabit the gut in large numbers.

When the delicate balance of essential flora in the GI tract is disturbed, yeasts and other pathogens are quick to capitalize on the opportunity to multiply. Left to flourish untreated, candida can invade the intestinal walls, breaking them down until they begin to leak harmful bacteria and larger proteins into the blood stream. The resulting long term "leaky gut" toxicity and constant immune system burden can have devastating consequences to your health.

2. Refined Carbohydrates - Our high carb diet alters pH levels, lowers baseline immunity, and directly feeds the cycle of yeast infection in our bodies.

Types of Yeast Infection

There are more than 20 species of Candida, the most common being Candida Albicans. These fungi live on all surfaces of our bodies. Under certain conditions, they can become so numerous they cause infections, particularly in warm and moist areas. Examples of such infections are vaginal yeast infections, thrush (infection in the mouth), skin outbreaks and diaper rash, sinus and nail bed infections. Rarely, the infection may spread throughout the body. Most people do not survive systemic infections because of the massive amount of inflammation and toxicity produced.

Underlying Causes of Yeast Infection

Like antibiotics, corticosteroids also deplete the body of beneficial bacteria and undermine baseline immunity, encouraging the overgrowth of yeast. Birth control pills can also promote yeast infections.

A number of factors influence the body's ability to directly or indirectly control Candida overgrowth:

• Mineral Imbalance or Deficiency - Trace minerals like zinc and copper are essential to the body's ability to keep yeast under control.

• Stress impairs immune system function and depletes the body of essential minerals.

• Excessive Alkalinity favors yeast overgrowth. Adrenal exhaustion and thyroid insufficiency contribute to increased alkalinity.

• Heavy Metal Toxicity - Candida sufferers often have high levels of mercury, lead or cadmium in their tissues. Hair analysis can be helpful in identifying toxicities.

• Inadequate Cellular Energy Production - Biochemical energy is required for all body functions, including immune system function, and all other body systems.

• Impaired Short-chain fatty Acid Metabolism - Short-chain fatty acids are protective compounds that are manufactured as a byproduct of normal metabolism. Caprylic and butyric acid are frequently used as anti-fungal agents. Hair analysis and Organic Acid Testing can be helpful in identifying deficiencies.

• Thyroid Suppression is both a cause and a symptom of yeast infection because of its role in impaired immunity and energy production. Candida overgrowth in turn causes a buildup of mycotoxins that suppress thyroid function.

Symptoms of Yeast Infection

Symptoms of candidiasis can vary widely depending upon where the infection takes hold, from vaginal itching, burning and discharge to allergies and skin disorders to brain fog, thyroid and immune suppression, sugar cravings and chronic fatigue.

Some natural practitioners estimate that because of the factors mentioned above, 70-80% of Americans are dealing with some form of fungal overgrowth. Don Dennis, MD, Board Certified EENT and plastic surgeon in Atlanta claims that fungal infection accounts for the suffering of a vast majority of chronic sinusitis patients. According to Dr. Dennis, "Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) affects over 37 million Americans, making it more common than arthritis or high blood pressure."

Most CRS patients, like virtually all sufferers of chronic fungal infection, are caught up in an endless and seemingly hopeless cycle of infection and secondary reinfection with repeated antibiotic and steroid exposures that lead to its familiar pattern of symptoms.

Cancer Connection

Many practitioners are convinced that yeast overgrowth plays a central role in the growth of many cancers because of the toxic burden and oxidative stress it places on the body... not to mention the estrogenic effect of mycotoxins, the pirating of valuable cellular resources or the consequences of an overwhelmed immune system. Having a chronic yeast infection is like trying to row a boat with the anchor out!

Morgellons Connection

Similarly, fungal overgrowth appears to be a common factor among sufferers of Morgellons Disease, a horrific and increasingly common condition that involves immune compromise and failure of the bioterrain with multiple infections and infestations with plant and soil based pathogens that don't normally affect humans. The greatest danger of chronic yeast infection may be that it sets the table for secondary opportunistic infections.

Treatment of Yeast Infections

Mild cases of yeast infection are easily treated, but successful treatment of chronic candidiasis requires time, patience, determination and a multifaceted approach. There are five critical areas of intervention that are required to root out entrenched yeast infection in the body:

1. Diet - Anyone who has endured marathon struggles with candida overgrowth can attest to the difficulty of displacing established fungal infections, especially when underlying challenges such as heavy metal toxicity provide favorable conditions even when stringent dietary restrictions are followed. But the fact is, without a proper diet, there is virtually no hope of breaking out of the cycle of infection and reinfection. Basically, we need to eat what God has provided... a diet of veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, while limiting meat and dairy and avoiding anything processed... especially refined carbs.

2. Restore Digestion - Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes are necessary to restore adequate numbers of beneficial bacteria to the GI tract and improve digestive efficiency. Enzymes also help control yeast directly and perform a "house cleaning" function in the body. Hydrochloric acid (Betaine HCL) can also be helpful in restoring pH levels and improving protein and mineral absorption.

A broad spectum, high potency probiotic is very effective in restoring balance to essential flora in the gut. Don't fall for the sales hype about enteric coated delivery systems. God doesn't package our probiotics in tiny plastic bubbles; neither should we.

3. Anti-fungals - Prescription anti-fungal creams and suppositories can be very effective for topical or vaginal use. Systemic drugs are also available, but they can be very hard on the liver and kidneys. Natural practitioners prefer to use herbs and nutrients that are just as effective but lack the downside of chemical treatments, such as oil of oregano, grapefruit seed extract, caprylic acid, proteolytic enzymes, butyric acid, black walnut, and wormwood.

4. Detoxification Support - Regardless of whether natural or conventional treatment options are pursued, it is wise and very helpful to provide the body with some liver support to help promote detoxification pathways which are heavily burdened with mycotoxins generated in the dieoff of yeast cells. This will minimize any Herxheimer effects as the body attempts to cast off these toxins.

5. Heal the Gut - This may seem redundant as all of the above strategies are aimed at restoring the digestive process, but as this happens, certain nutrients may be particularly helpful in repairing the integrity of the intestinal lining, such as L- Glutamine, Omega Three Fats and - once progress has been made - Whey Protein Isolate (a great source of pure amino acids, the building blocks needed for repair). Glutamine is an amino acid that is particularly useful early on in treatment, and may also help with sugar cravings.

Yeasts like Candida have been with us all along, but our collective choices have made yeast infections and other types of fungal overgrowth and secondary infections a growing epidemic around the world. For those who have struggled with chronic yeast infections and fungal overgrowth for years, know this:

Because of the intransigent and pleomorphic (spontaneously mutating) nature of the microbes involved (not to mention the secondary infections they invite), don't expect a first round knockout, but a multiple round epic struggle. With each round of treatment, the fungal load gets a little lower; with each round, the toxic burden gets a little lighter. With each round, the battle field is a little more level until finally the immune system is no longer outnumbered and outflanked.

With faithful determination and by God's grace, this is a battle worth fighting; it is a battle that can be and is being won.