Chronic Yeast Infection: Causes, RISKS and Cures

A distressing health condition, chronic yeast infection is brought on by Candida species. Candida species are pathogens that seemingly occur in 85% of the population, but that, being opportunists, only lead to chronic yeast infection in certain instances.

There are over 100 naturally occurring Candida species, but just a quarter of them are known to cause human yeast infection. The most common variety is Candida albicans, and then Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis. The yeast infection rates are: about four out of five - Candida albicans; one out of five - Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, and other kinds of fungi.

Yeast microbes are typically to be found in many healthy people. They live in the moisture and the warmth of areas such as the vagina, the mouth, the bowels and the rectum. Yeast microbes are held in check by probiotics, favorable microorganisms, and have few negative effects in the healthy individual. Nevertheless, when infection sets in, they multiply fast.

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. 75% of women suffer a vaginal Candida infection, the kind the most often observed, at least once in their life. Recurring or long duration candidiasis impact as many as two out of five women.

2. Research indicates, it is the age group of 21-30 that is most menaced by chronic yeast infection, and then the age group of 11-20.

3. Stress, whether physical or emotional, can interfere with your immune system and make you vulnerable to colds and herpes. This can result in yeast cultivation as well.

4. With the yeast microbe being active mostly in conditions of warmth and moisture, hot weather favors breakouts of chronic yeast infection.

5. Yeast infections can also be the result of eating particular foods such as yeast foods, dairy products (a load on the digestion, pumped full of lactose and chemicals for hormone growth as well as mucus-favoring) refined carbohydrates, candy, and wines (glucose-intensive).

6. From studies in the 1990s at New York’s Long Island Jewish Medical Center, it was observed that women eating a cup of yogurt on a daily basis during half a year reduced by two-thirds the onset of chronic candidiasis. The theory however needed further data as only 13 women finished the research project. Other research indicates the eating of live strains of lactobacillus acidophilus in supplement form or in yogurt form to help to prevent yeast infections.

7. Yeast infections can affect not only people but dogs as well. For dogs suffering from different varieties of skin disease, the common link appears to be yeast.

The subtypes of yeast infection that occur the most are:

1. Vaginal yeast infection: forming inside the vulva or the vagina. This is the kind of chronic infection encountered the most often.

2. Oral yeast infection (thrush): developing in the mouth and most often seen in individuals with very weak immune systems, including babies.

3. Baby yeast infection (nappy rash): responsible for rashes around the diaper area.

4. Male yeast infection: affects the glans penis, causing a rash.

5. Paronychia (infections of the underlying tissue of the nail): this type of yeast infection habitually appears next to the fingernail. 6. Note that each subtype of yeast infection is of a different kind. Other candida infections can happen practically anywhere in the body, frequently in folds of the skin: under the arms or the breasts, in between toes and so forth.

Usually, candidiasis is without gravity, easily treated and do not lead to serious health consequences. In many cases, it will disappear after a time without needing medication. On the other hand, in certain cases, yeast infections can extend to other areas of the body. This may indicate severe disrepair of the internal balance of the body.

Chronic yeast infections may be just a symptom of more serious problems, including diseases with similar symptoms that are transmitted sexually, leukemia, diabetes and AIDS, just to give a few examples. This explains why the manifestation of candidiasis symptoms needs professional advice with a qualified doctor.

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