The Many Symptoms of Candida Infections
The Many Symptoms of Candida Infections
The Many Symptoms of Candida Infections
Candida albicans is the bug that causes yeast infections. It's actually part of the normal flora of microorganisms of the body, and exists in the vagina of many healthy women along with healthy bacteria. When the internal environment of the vagina becomes unbalanced, however, Candida can change form from a yeast to a more invasive mold, leading to infection.
You might already be familiar with the common symptoms of a Candida vaginal yeast infection. They include:
Vaginal itching and burning
Vaginal discharge
Pain with urination
Pain during sex
Vaginal swelling
Menstrual pain
The itching and burning is the most common and usually notable symptoms. Many women will also have a discharge that is thicker than normal and is described as looking like cottage cheese. If the infection is more advanced, the entire area can become swollen and red, which can lead to pain with urination, pain during sex, and menstrual pain.
Keep in mind, though, that many other conditions can cause these symptoms. If you're not sure what you have, make sure to get checked out by a doctor who can do a swab test to make sure what you have is really a yeast infection.
While Candida infections are very common, and it's estimated that around 75% of women will get one at some point of their lives, women are notoriously bad at recognizing the symptoms of Candida and diagnosing themselves properly. Many of studies have shown that a lot of the time a woman thinks she has a yeast infection, she actually has something else - even if she is familiar with the symptoms! This is because many vaginal conditions and infections mimic these symptoms. So make sure you see your doctor to get a proper diagnosis!
Now, these symptoms described above are for a vaginal yeast infection. But what happens if Candida spreads to the rest of the body and becomes systemic? In this case you may feel bad all over your body, and have problems in many organ systems. Your gastrointestinal system might not function properly, and you can have digestive pain, constipation, diarrhea or food allergies. You may have the overall sensation of "not feeling well," and have low energy, fatigue, headaches and a poor mood. It's not uncommon to have skin disorders as well, such as rashes or unusual allergies.
Keep in mind that Candida symptoms can vary by women and depend on a lot of factors, such as overall health and immune system strength.
So how do you get rid of the symptoms? Thankfully, there are many effective treatments available both over the counter and with a prescription. You can pick up antifungal creams or suppositories at any drug store. Some common brand names are Vagistat and Gyne-Lotrimin. If you're not sure what you're looking for, don't hesitate to ask the pharmacist.
And what about if you've tried these medications and they don't work? In that case, you may need to take a different approach. There are many reasons why Candida can overgrow in the body, including certain medications or medical conditions, poor immune system function, diet, or overall health and lifestyle that is not ideal.
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