What is a Yeast Infection - And Cures For It

If you have a yeast infection, you may be concerned and confused, wondering, "What is a yeast infection. Yeast infection in the mouth is called oral thrush, which occurs as white patches found in the mucous linings inside the oral cavity. Yeast infection is not widely recognized as a sexually-transmitted disease. It only becomes a problem when it grows so fast that it overwhelms other competing microorganisms.

The yeast infection has cycles of overgrowth, where toxins are released throughout the system causing numerous or various symptoms (see symptoms list). The making of these chemicals prevents bacteria from coming back and enables the yeast to stay after antibiotics are given. In yet other ways, the yeast toxins can cause fatigue, lethargy, immobility, joint pain and discomfort. As the condition worsens over time a bad yeasty smell or odor may accompany this. So the immune system generates inflammation, which provides a defensive wall against the yeast. As these immune cells circulate and find yeast in other places, such as the skin, they start additional inflammation.

Before plunging into a nutritional program for yeast problems, you should have a basic understanding of the subject. Underlying causes that weaken the immune system and may make your pet more susceptible to yeast problems include, cancer, hypothyroidism and chronic use of antibiotics and cortisone. As the yeast invades new territory, it entrenches itself, and will continue its relentless advance as long as it remains unopposed.

If you are confused and wondering, "Why do I have it?", there is no reason to fret; statistics suggest that up to 75% of women will experience a yeast infection at some point in their lives, and with proper treatment and preventative measures, you can easily reduce their incidence. Further, many of these women will experience more than one yeast infection. Once you have discovered just what a yeast infection is, you can take measures to not only treat current ones, but also to prevent future infections.

How to reduce your chances of getting a yeast infection? It's not uncommon to have a certain amount of yeast in your vagina, as well as in your intestinal tract. Your higher level of estrogen during pregnancy causes your vagina to produce more glycogen, making it even easier for yeast to grow there. Some researchers think estrogen may also have a direct effect on yeast, causing it to grow faster and stick more easily to the walls of the vagina. You're also more likely to get a yeast infection when you take antibiotics, particularly if you take them frequently or for a long time.

If you develop symptoms from a yeast infection, they're likely to plague you (and may get worse) until you treat the infection, though sometimes they come and go on their own. Research shows that women, following yeast diets and candida diets, obtain some relief from their symptoms, yet as soon as they go off the restricted diet, their yeast infection and candida symptoms return almost immediately. The only substance ever shown to actually destroy the candida and yeast organism on contact is oxygen. Oral oxygen has proven to be very effective in eliminating yeast infections and candida.