Understanding Yeast Infections

Yeast is a type of fungus which normally resides in our body and performs several important functions, as for example; it performs the much needed job of cleaning the vagina of a woman. But too much of anything is obviously bad and if yeast starts multiplying at an alarming rate, the balance in the ecosystem within a human body tends to get disturbed and we start suffering from the effects of an overgrowth of yeast and term it as a yeast infection.

Normally yeast infection occurs inside mouth, below breasts, inside vagina and sometimes on the skin. From the description of areas which are prone to yeast infection, it is absolutely clear that women are more prone to get infected by yeast infection than men. But this obviously does not mean that men are immune to this infection altogether. They also get affected at times but as this disease is usually more found in women, men tend to hide from others the fact they have been affected.

Actually yeast tends to multiply in warm, moist areas where there is limited air circulation. So, mouth, vagina and other areas where there are fatty folds and tend to remain moist with perspiration or other forms of secretion are happy hunting grounds of yeast.

As is common with any other form of fungal infection, yeast infection attacks those with lower levels of immunity. So, babies and elderly people and also those who have lower immunity levels either due antibiotic medication or due to diseases like AIDs are also vulnerable to attacks of this fungal infection.
But there are other reasons for a person to fall prey to an infection of yeast. It could be diabetes, obesity or the fondness of wearing tight clothing and working in conditions which are hot, humid and lead to excessive perspiration. There are other reasons also. People who prefer underwear made from synthetic fabric instead of cotton and don’t make it a habit to wear fresh underwear everyday also lend themselves easy prey to yeast infection. Also, an apparently harmless activity as strolling around the swimming pool in wet bathing suit can lead to yeast infection.

It is only normal that some women are more susceptible than others to yeast infection. It might occur repeatedly to some people while some might escape from just one bout of the infection. It is no doubt an irritating and in some cases an embarrassing situation but it in no way proves that the patient is ‘dirty’ and there is absolutely no reason to feel ashamed about it. Any woman who gets affected by a yeast infection must realize that it is nothing obnoxious but only a case of minor imbalance in the ecological balance within the body. Yeast cells which normally reside within the body and perform certain vital functions have temporarily multiplied beyond normal levels and could be brought under control quite easily.

But it is always advised to visit a doctor whenever there is a suspected infection of yeasts. There are certain serious diseases like gonorrhea, gardnerella, trichomonas or Chlamydia whose symptoms appear very similar to yeast infection to an untrained eye and it is always better to get yourself examined by a qualified medical practitioner to remain on the safer side. A simple pap smear at a doctor’s chamber can clear quite a few doubts. Sometimes when the doctor is not very sure, a culture might be recommended but that must be done to clear the mind of any nagging doubts forever.

In some cases, even when there is a simple yeast infection, qualified medical attention and care become absolutely essential. It happens when the infection becomes immune to commonly available over-the-counter anti-fungal medications. A doctor’s prescription for those extra potent medicines which you can't buy over the counter becomes essential.

Prevention, as they say, is always better than cure. This is true for two reasons. If you prevent the infection from attacking you, you are spared the pain, trouble and irritation it inflicts. Not only that, but also every time you are infected, the resistance level of yeast towards prescribed medication increases and you need ever increasing doses of medicine to overcome successive bouts of yeast infection.

So, keep a strict control on what you eat and avoid excess alcohol, sweets or bread and maintain a hygienic lifestyle to keep yeast infections at bay.