subject: What Are the Symptoms of Yeast Infection? [print this page] Author: Doc Walton Author: Doc Walton
All symptoms of yeast infections are caused by the yeast species, Candida. Candida is naturally found living on your skin, in your digestive tract and mucus membranes. As long as you are healthy and your G.I. tract is in balance, then the yeast is kept in check. However, when something happens and your G.I. tract goes out of balance, then the yeast can grow to large numbers and cause an infection.
The most common areas for symptoms of yeast infection are in warm, moist areas such as in the mouth, genitals, behind the knees and elbows, in the underarms and in skin folds. Babies tend to get symptoms of yeast infection in the mouth and in the diaper area. The most common types of yeast infections include diaper rash, thrush, vaginal yeast infections and nail bed infections. Men have the same chance of developing a yeast infection as women.
As you get older your chances of developing a yeast infection are higher. In the elderly most symptoms of yeast infections show up in nail beds, skin folds and dentures. The worst type of yeast infection you can get from Candida is a systemic disease that will spread throughout your body. Systemic Candida yeast infections can present more serious medical complications down the road, so it is important to be aware of signs that you may have a more serious problem then you standard yeast infection.
Yeast infections are caused by several different factors. The use of antibiotics and steroids can cause many symptoms of yeast infections as they can change your body's chemistry, creating a favorable environment for yeast. Yeast infections will develop in individuals that have weakened immune systems. These type of yeast infections can be life threatening as your body cannot fight them off.
Some symptoms of vaginal yeast infections include itching, irritation and a white discharge. Sometime there is burning with urination or pain associated with sexual intercourse. Thrush or an oral yeast infection appears as white patches on the tongue and in the mouth. These white patches tend to be surrounded in red. Thrush is painful and can make eating difficult.
If you have a weakened immune system then your body cannot fight of the yeast infections, then it has the potential to spread inside your body to the different organs. Internal yeast infections are painful and have the potential to spread to the blood stream. If the yeast reaches the blood stream, then it can infect your brain and cause irreversible damage.
For yeast infections on your skin and nail beds, there are many over the counter medications that will quickly and easily treat the infection. If you are using over the counter medication, and it is not having any effect, you should visit your doctor. Also, thrush requires antifungals, which need to be prescribed by a doctor. If your yeast infection keeps coming back, then you may have other health issues and should see an experienced Candida doctor immediately.
A small amount of individuals with very severe yeast infections will need to go to the hospital for treatment. If you have thrush and have not eaten or drunk anything for a long time then you will need help, if you have a yeast infection coupled with chills, vomiting, fever or abdominal pain then you may have a kidney infection or appendicitis and will need treatment immediately.
There are many symptoms of yeast infections that both men and women can show and the best way for finding a cure is to find a doctor who has had experience successfully treating patients who have had Candida and yeast infections. As a general warning, be cautious if the doctor wants to prescribe broad spectrum antibiotics to treat symptoms of yeast infections, as these will likely only make matters worse.About the Author:
