Causes Of Yeast Infections
Candida fungi thrive on the skin and inside the body in certain regions without producing health concerns in most people. There are numerous types of candida at least 15 of which can cause infections if they multiply uncontrollably. When the balance of bacteria and candida in your vaginal area is disrupted, it can cause an infection.
7 factors that may disrupt the balance
Key Points To Remember
- A mild vaginal yeast infection may go away without treatment. If you have mild symptoms, you may want to wait to see if that happens.
- If you’re not pregnant and you know that your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection, you can treat it yourself with an over-the-counter antifungal medicine.
- If you’re not sure that your symptoms are caused by a yeast infection, you may want to see your doctor instead of treating it yourself. You could have another problem, such as a bacterial vaginal infection or a sexually transmitted infection , that needs different treatment.
- If you are pregnant, see your doctor before you treat your symptoms so you can make sure you have a yeast infection. If you do, it can be safely treated with a vaginal medicine.
- Condoms and diaphragms aren’t safe to use for birth control when you are using an antifungal cream or suppository. These medicines contain oil, which can weaken rubber.
How Do You Know If You Have A Yeast Infection
The most common signs of any yeast infection are:
Yeast in the nail beds can be recognized by thick white or yellow nails that become detached from the nail bed. Vaginal or penile yeast infections are easily identified by a burning and itching in the area.
There are certain factors that make a person more susceptible to a yeast infection, and in fact these people may suffer from them frequently. These factors include:
- Having taken a recent heavy course of antibiotics
- Having a lower functioning immune system
- Poor diet can also lead to overgrowth of yeast, as gut flora becomes unbalanced
The summer months can also contribute: chances of vaginal yeast infections increase when wet bathing suits arent changed in a timely manner. Seventy percent of women have had at least one yeast infection in their lives, while some report treating four or more a year.
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Diagnosing And Treating Yeast Infections At Home
Did you know 3 out of 4 women will get a yeast infection in their lifetime? Many will get more than one. The good news for womenespecially those who experience more than oneis you may be able to diagnose and treat a yeast infection from home. If you have never had a yeast infection, youll want to go to your doctor or at least talk to them first and get their advice.
Diagnosis Of Yeast Infection
Many women who have experienced a yeast infection before will know the signs and can often treat it themselves at home with over-the-counter medications. However, if you are at all unsure of your symptoms or feel your yeast infection is unmanageable on your own, it is best to see your doctor.
When you arrive at your appointment, your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and your medical history. You may also be asked whether you have had a sexually transmitted infection in the past and about your sexual history.
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Who Can Get Yeast Infections
Some people may be more prone to yeast infections. Using certain medications, having diabetes, being pregnant, or having a lowered immune system can make a person more likely to get a yeast infection.
People who wear tight-fitting clothing are also more likely to experience yeast infections since it creates a warm, moist environment that allows the growth of yeast and bacteria to thrive.
Other Things It Could Be
If youve been having symptoms of a yeast infection for weeks and treatments dont seem to be offering any relief, you might be dealing with something else.
Yeast infection symptoms can resemble those of other vaginal health issues, so its important to make sure you know what youre treating before you choose a medication.
If you use antifungal treatments when you dont have a fungal infection, your symptoms probably wont improve.
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Can Yeast Infections Go Away On Their Own
Theres a possibility that a yeast infection can go away on its own. The probability varies from person to person.
If you decide not to treat the infection, however, it might get worse. Theres also the possibility that youve misdiagnosed your condition, and what you thought was candidiasis was a more serious problem.
According to the Mayo Clinic, 75 percent of women will experience a vaginal yeast infection at some point in their lifetime.
The Department of Health and Human Services indicates that about 5 percent of women will experience recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis . This is defined as four or more vaginal yeast infections in 1 year.
RVVC can occur in healthy women, but its more common in women with diabetes or weak immune systems from conditions such as HIV.
What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Vaginal Yeast Infections
Vaginal yeast infections can cause:
- redness, swelling, or itching of the vulva
- a thick, white discharge that can look like cottage cheese and is usually odorless, although it might smell like bread or yeast
- pain or burning when urinating or during sex
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor or gynecologist. It’s easy to confuse the symptoms of a yeast infection with those of some STDs and other vaginal infections. Your doctor can make sure you are treated for the right type of infection.
If you have a vaginal yeast infection, your doctor can recommend treatment to clear up the symptoms and cure the infection quickly.
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Can My Body Fight Off A Yeast Infection
If you get a yeast infection, you may think that your body will just fight off the infection and restore balance on its own. After all, when it comes to warding off things like germs, viruses, bacteria and infections our bodies are constantly playing defense without us even knowing.
While your amazing body works hard to keep you healthy, sometimes it needs a little help. And the truth is that by the time youre experiencing those common yeast infection symptoms, its probably too late its time to call in the pros and seek medical treatment.
Did you know?
Higher Risk Of Getting Stis Including Hiv:
Having bacterial vaginosis can increase your chance of getting an STD and cause problems during pregnancy. In some cases, vaginal odour even disturbs your private life.
Vaginal odour is often characterized by symptoms like vaginal itching, vaginal discharge etc. Scientifically, this over-growth is termed as Bacterial Vaginosis. Thats ok, but how to eliminate vaginal odour once for all?
For the best results, natural home remedies are very much recommended. The advantage with the home treatment is that you can get them at a cheaper rate and above all, they are NATURAL.
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What Kills A Sinus Infection Naturally
A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, is an inflammation of the sinuses. The sinuses are the hollow spaces in your bones that surround your nose. Theyre filled with air and lined with a thin layer of mucus. The job of the mucus is to trap dirt, bacteria, and viruses that enter your body through your nose. The cilia are tiny hairs that line the inside of the sinuses. They help move the mucus towards the throat where it can be swallowed. When you have a cold or allergies, these systems dont work as they should. The result is a buildup of mucus in the sinuses which leads to a sinus infection. There are two types of sinus infections: acute and chronic. Acute sinusitis usually starts with a cold or allergies and then goes away after a week or two. Chronic sinusitis lasts for 12 weeks or longer and can keep coming back . It can be caused by things like allergies, nasal polyps, deviated septum, or other problems that block drainage from the sinuses. Most people with acute sinusitis get better without treatment within 2 weeks time frame. However, if symptoms persist for more than 10 days, then you might require some medication. Antibiotics are prescribed for treating bacterial infections only. If viral infections are suspected then antibiotics will not help. Overuse of antibiotics can lead to resistance so they should be used judiciously.
Some home remedies might provide symptomatic relief like:-
When A Sinus Infection Goes Untreated
A sinus infection can drag on for weeks or months if you dont talk to a doctor. Sometimes, the infection will clear up on its own. But if the symptoms linger, then you could be facing rare complications from the ongoing infection:
- Eyes: The infection can spread to other parts of the face and affect the eyes. You might notice swelling, redness, and vision disruptions. Severe cases could result in blindness.
- Brain: Its rare, but there are times when the infection spreads to the brain. This problem can cause meningitis or a brain abscess, which can both be life-threatening conditions.
- Treatments: Early sinus infection treatment might include a prescription or minimally-invasive services. If the infection spreads, then it might be necessary for you to have a CT scan and receive IV antibiotics.
- Recurring: Some people notice that the symptoms get better, then quickly return with a vengeance. Chronic sinus issues can result in a need for surgery if not improving with medication.
Most sinus infections dont result in serious complications. But the possibility of an eye or brain infection should be enough to motivate someone to talk to a doctor about the infection.
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Help The Body To Naturally Fight The Infection On Its Own
To avoid the risk of having certain issues of yeast infection left untreated, and to make the most out of the yeast infection treatment, here is a quick summary of the core steps to include in your yeast infection treatment. Notice that steps 1-3 are designed to help your body get stronger and fight the infection on its own. As a result, it is common for mild yeast infection symptoms to go away on their own after steps 1-3 are completed.
Find out what is the root cause of your yeast infection. See if these common yeast infection causes apply to you. Check if there is an underlying issue that prevent your body from naturally fighting the infection on its own. See our expert guide: What is preventing your body from healing on its own to learn more. Do an oxygen colon cleanse. Accumulated waste buildup in the colon can feed the candida yeast and cause excess yeast growth in the body. Systemic yeast and candida overgrowth is one of the main reasons many people end up with untreated yeast infection issues. Become aware of all the yeast infection symptoms you have. This is a very important point since a systemic yeast infection can cause symptoms in different areas in the body that sometimes are missed during the treatment. Untreated yeast infection symptoms can become chronic and become worse as the infection evolves. Start the candida cleanse plan. A candida cleanse typically includes:
Do Yeast Infections Ever Go Away On Their Own
While mild yeast infections can sometimes go away on their own, most wont leave you in peace so easily. Fortunately, thats the bad news.
The good news is that you might not need to run to the doctor or pharmacy to treat one.
A Common Infection
Most women have experienced at least one vaginal yeast infection, which is caused by the opportunistic yeast, candida. When the delicate balance between bacteria and yeast is upset, candida can quickly flourish out of control, becoming an infection. This leads to symptoms such as burning, itching, and thick, white discharge. The longer the yeast is able to go unchecked, the worse the infection can become.
Finding the Right Weapon
When a yeast infection strikes, you want it gone as soon as possiblebut you might not want to suffer the irritation that can come with using an antifungal. If your infection is mild, your first line of defense could be as simple as eating plain, unsweetened yogurt. Yogurt contains probiotics that compete with candida, and have long been used to aid similar imbalances in the gut. If using yogurt topically, its important to make sure its unsweetened, as candida thrive on sugar.
Other Home Remedies
While yogurt may treat mild infections, moderate to severe yeast infections likely need additional help. Luckily, there are some home remedies using items you might already have on hand.
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Is A Sinus Infection Contagious To Others
Yes, but only if your sinus infection has been caused by a virus. Potentially you can pass this virus onto someone, which may cause them to develop a cold, which in turn can develop into sinusitis. However if your sinus infection hasnt be caused by a virus but bacteria instead then its not contagious.
References
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If I Get A Yeast Infection When Will It Go Away
Mild yeast infections may clear up in as few as three days. Sometimes, they dont even require treatment. However, moderate to severe infections may take one to two weeks to clear.
Over-the-counter treatments and home remedies are often effective for mild infections, but they arent as powerful as prescription options. If you are experiencing any of the scenarios weve listed below, its important to visit your doctor or our AFC center for treatment.
Research On Yeast Infections Healing Without Treatment
One study, published in Sabouraudia , showed that some individuals with Candiduria , spontaneously recovered from their Candiduria without the use of antifungal drugs. Of the Candiduria patients who spontaneously recovered, 4 of them seemed to recover after the removal of their Foley catheter . So this research does show it is entirely possible for a yeast infection to go away on its own. A Clinical Microbiology Reviews study, also stated that asymptomatic Candiduria can frequently resolve by itself without the need for antifungal therapy. This recovery often happens when a urinary catheter is changed or removed.
Another study, published in the journal American Review of Respiratory Disease , discussed the case of a 60 year old man who had Candida albicans induced pneumonia. The man went on to subsequently fully recover from his lung yeast infection without the aid of an antifungal drug or other therapy. Thus, again, we see that the body can occasionally get rid of a yeast infection by itself.
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What Could It Be If Its Not A Yeast Infection
Several different womens health conditions share symptoms with yeast infections, and its not uncommon to mistake them for each other. If your yeast infection doesnt clear up with antifungal medication, you might have something else, such as a:
- Urinary tract infection : This occurs when bad bacteria multiply in your urinary tract, triggering symptoms such as a burning when you urinate, bloody or cloudy urine, pain during sex, and abdominal pain. Antibiotics can treat UTIs.
- Sexually transmitted infection : STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and genital herpes can cause itching, burning, and unusual vaginal discharge. If you notice blisters, sores, or any kind of rash around your vaginal area, its worth seeing a doctor, especially if youve recently had unprotected sex.
- Bacterial vaginosis : This bacterial infection is similar to a yeast infection in many ways, with one crucial difference: Its caused by bacteria instead of fungus. BV is characterized by a thin gray or white discharge with a strong fishy odor .
Yeast Infections Are Very Common:
The two most common kinds of yeast infections are the persistent vaginal yeast infections and oral yeast infection .
All yeasts are, in fact, a kind of fungus, which exist naturally as single-celled organisms in humans.
Yeasts are not inherently pathological. That is, they do not naturally cause any harm to a normal healthy body. In fact, in a healthy body, when Candida is in balance, it helps our immune system by controlling bacterial growth.
Incidentally, yeast and bacteria are in constant competition for the same space. When antibiotics kill off bacteria, both good and bad, Candida flourishes.
Candida becomes a problem only whenin a body whose system is not in balancetheir numbers are no longer kept in check.
According to Tom Volk, an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, USA, some alteration of the hosts . . . defences, physiology, or normal flora must take place before colonization , infection, and disease production can take place. This phenomenon is known as Candida Overgrowth.
Candida overgrowth can produce toxins that are associated with many diseases and health-related problems:
- viral infections
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