Chronic Yeast Infection: Causes And Risks

Candida species are disease-inducing microbes that apparently occur in 85% of the population. They can lead to the unpleasant health condition of chronic yeast infection. By their opportunist nature, they only lead to chronic yeast infection in certain instances.

Naturally occurring Candida species exceed 100, but only a quarter of them are identified as triggering human yeast infection. The most common strain is Candida albicans, and then Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis. About four out of five yeast infections are caused by Candida albicans, the other one out of five coming from Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, and other kinds of fungi.

Yeast microbes thrive in moist and warm areas such as the mouth, the vagina, the intestines and the rectum. They are typically found in many healthy people. Held in check by probiotics, microorganisms favorable to the human body, yeast microbes have few negative effects on healthy people. Nevertheless, they multiply very quickly when infection begins.

Yeast infection (candidiasis) may be the result of abnormal concentration of yeast microbes, above all in moist and warm areas of the surface of the body. The process can be accelerated by certain conditions out of the ordinary. It is the subtype of the yeast infection that typically determines these conditions. For example: pregnancy, contraceptive pills, antibiotics or hormone replacement therapy may quicken vaginal candidiasis, whereas neglect of personal hygiene can trigger male yeast infection. However, weakness in immunity systems can be a general cause of recurrent yeast infection due to any subtype. Further to this, stress or an excess of weight can also drive up the chance of candidiasis.

The data below concern yeast infections:

1. Three out of four women suffer a vaginal yeast infection, the most often observed, at least once in their life. As many as two out of five women have recurring or long duration yeast infections.

2. According to certain research, it is the age group of 21-30 that is most at risk from chronic yeast infection, and then the age group of 11-20.

3. Whether it’s physical or emotional, stress can debilitate your immune system and boost the danger to you of colds and herpes. This can favor yeast cultivation too.

4. Because the yeast microbe is most active in conditions of warmth and moisture, hot weather favors the occurrence of chronic yeast infection.

5. Yeast infections can also be brought on by particular foods such as yeast foods, refined carbohydrates, candy, dairy products (difficult to digest, lactose laden with chemicals for hormone growth as well as favoring mucus) and wines (glucose laden).

6. In research done in the last ten years of the twentieth century at New York’s Long Island Jewish Medical Center, it was observed that women having consumed a cup of yogurt on a daily basis for half a year could reduce the onset of chronic yeast infections by a factor of three. The theory however lacked sufficient data as only 13 women finished the study. Other research indicates that eating live strains of lactobacillus acidophilus either as supplements or as a yogurt can help to stop yeast infections.

7. Not only people, but dogs also can suffer from yeast infections. Indeed, for dogs suffering from different kinds of skin disease, yeast appears as a common factor.

The subtypes of yeast infection happening most are:

1. Vaginal Candida infection: developing inside the vagina or the vulva. This is the most common kind of chronic candidiasis. 2. Oral thrush: this develops in the mouth. It is most commonly seen in babies or in people with drastically weakened immune systems. 3. Diaper rash: this causes inflammation in the area of the diaper. 4. Candida balanitis: this type of yeast infection causes a rash on the head of the penis. 5. Paronychia (infections of the tissue underlying the nail): a kind of yeast infection habitually appearing next to the fingernail. 6. Other Candida infections can occur almost anywhere in the body, and often in folds of the skin: beneath the arms or the breasts, in between toes and so on. It should be noted that each subtype of candidiasis is of a different nature.

In certain cases, yeast infections can launch an offensive on other parts of the body. This may demonstrate a more serious internal lack of equilibrium in the body. However usually, yeast infections do not have lasting impact, are easily cured and do not cause any severe health conditions. Frequently, candidiasis will move out after a time without any medication being required.

The manifestation of the symptoms of yeast infection needs professional advice from a qualified physician. Chronic yeast infections may be just a symptom of more serious problems, such as sexually transmitted diseases with similar symptoms, leukemia, diabetes and AIDS, just to give a few examples.

As excessive multiplication of Candida is at the base of practically all yeast infections, failure to deal with the problem inside that is responsible for the symptom of discharge, rash or other related to Candida, will not prevent these symptoms from recurring after a while. Although home treatment of chronic yeast infections can be done using over the counter medication or a prescription, remember that virtually all such infections are strong hint of a serious internal problem that must be correctly handled. In addition, failure to treat the problems inside responsible for the yeast infection related symptoms could also generate serious complications relating to health.

Linda Allen is a health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book Yeast Infection No More . To Learn More About Chronic Yeast Infection Visit: Chronic Yeast Infection