Here is the scientific 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. The classification of the genera and specie has evolved over the years.
Candida includes about 150 different species. These rarely result in infections for humans. Among these, the major one is the Candida albicans. Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candida dubliniensis, and Candida lusitaniae.
Candida yeasts normally exist in limited numbers within the human body. The human immune system controls the growth of microorganisms and bacteria.
Studies show that about 20% of healthy women in developed countries have a small number of Candida albicans in their vagina without having a noticeable yeast infection.
Yeast infections occur when there is an increase in Candida which can be caused by a disruption in the amount of lactic acid and bacteria.
Risk factors are:
Douching
Hormone imbalances
Stress
Pregnancy
Oral contraceptives
Contamination from the anus
Lubricants containing glycerin
Diabetes mellitus
Antibiotics
Antibacterials
Diet
People are more likely to get a Candida yeast infection if their immune system is weakened. Systemic Candida infections may occur during extreme cases when the superficial infections of the skin and mucous membranes enter the bloodstream.
Men get yeast infection far less frequently than women do. A yeast infection is caused by a number of things, like an infected partner, use of antibiotics, and diabetes.
A candida yeast infection will have symptoms that manifest themselves in different ways according to where the infection is located in the body.
Symptoms of an infection of the vagina or vulva include, severe itching, burning, soreness, and irritation, and a whitish, or gray discharge, which has a curd-like appearance.
Male symptoms of yeast infections include red patchy sores, extreme itching, or a burning feeling. Candidiasis of the penis can also have a white discharge, although uncommon. You might still have the infection despite a lack of symptoms at the onset.
Normally physicians diagnose yeast infection through microscopic examination or through culture tests.
A diagnoses is made by viewing a scraping or swab under a microscope. A drop of 10% potassium hydroxide solution is added to the specimen. This liquid eradicates the skin cells leaving the Candida cells behind to be viewed.
The culturing procedure involves swabbing on a culture medium and incubating it at 37 degrees C for several days until the yeast or bacteria grows. The characteristics of the growths may allow an initial diagnosis of the organism that is causing the disease symptoms.
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 treatment is usually effective, but symptoms may reappear in several weeks.
DO keep a healthy environment in your inner body to permanently eradicate candida yeast infections or for it to recur. Holistic approaches which are natural approaches are what is usually required in this process.
