Also known as Candida,
Monilia and Thrush, yeast infection is just one of
a number of kinds of infection to menace the
vagina and the vulva (the surrounding area to the
vagina) causing the frequently observed symptoms
of vaginal yeast infection.
In
fact, three types of Vaginitis (the general medical term
for infections of the vagina)
exist:
1)
Trichomoniasis: when parasitic protozoa cause the
infection of the vagina
2)
Bacterial vaginosis: a condition of infection of the
vagina, sexually transmitted in most cases and caused by
bacteria.
3)
Yeast infection: infection of the vagina caused by
yeasty microbes known as Candida
albicans.
Candida
Albicans, a fungal yeast-like organism, and other
Candida are usually resident in our intestinal tract,
throat, mouth and genitourinary areas and form a natural
part of the organisms in the
bowels.
Candida
albicans has benefits like being able to defend our gut
from harmful bacteria. Candida "knows" how to identify
and eliminate bacteria and other disease-inducing
organisms inside the intestinal
tract.
When
conditions are healthy, a human being can harbor
millions of Candida microbes that turn out to be of
benefit internally. On condition that our inner
apparatus keeps the right balance between acid and
alkali, our immune system is robust enough and probiotic
bacteria outnumber the Candida organisms (probiotic or
friendly bacteria include B. bifidum, Streptococcus
thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus
bulgaricus, and L. salivarius). Thus, in our intestines,
Candida is kept in check.
However,
when a weak immune system, a decrease in friendly
bacteria or toxicity or acidity in the blood compromises
our inner system, the ideal context for Candida yeast
overgrowth occurs.
Like
other health conditions, Candida yeast infection is
something that is caused by a number of primary and
secondary factors and the relationship between them.
These factors and cofactors make for Candida
overpopulation and are also causative in worsening an
already established yeast
infection.
In
addition, psychological, mental, lifestyle and external
elements also directly or indirectly form the context in
which Candida runs amok to generate a range of common
symptoms of yeast infection.
Overpopulation
by Candida is really a condition arising from internal
imbalance where Candida albicans mutate from simple,
non-invasive yeast form to a mycelial form of fungus
that spreads to the rest of the
body.
When
Candida changes forms from yeast to fungus, it grows
radical structures called rhizoids that dig into the
intestinal walls to create holes. Yeast, toxic debris,
bacteria and undigested food then enter the bloodstream.
The conditions that range from disagreeable to
threatening then include the leaky gut syndrome,
intolerance to nutrients, rashes, brain fog and
irritation, itching, swollenness, inflammation and white
vaginal discharge (yeast infection of the
vagina).
The
main culprits of Candida yeast infection overpopulation
are:
•Substandard
choices in diet and incorrect acid-alkali balance in the
intestines
•A
degraded immune system
•Accumulation
of toxins in the intestinal tract
•Reduction
in friendly probiotic bacteria
These
4 elements create the ideal context for Candida Albicans
to multiply and mutate from yeast to fungus, which can
then be seen as other symptoms such as yeast
infection.
An
imbalance of hormones (for example during menstruation),
intake of antibiotics, prescribed medicaments, steroids
and contraceptive pills can also provoke the onset of
yeast infection. Lifestyle factors including stress,
cleanliness, sexual habits and even the kind of clothes
that you wear can also worsen an already established
Candida condition.
Yeast
infection and one of its most common manifestations,
yeast infection of the vagina, is primarily an internal
condition brought on by more than one factor and
therefore very difficult to master. This is one of the
explanations for the difficulty that physicians have to
eliminate this recurring condition with prescribed and
over the counter drugs.
It turns out that every health problem including yeast infection of the vagina involves multiple dimensions. To eliminate the problem at the root, instead of only treating the symptoms of the condition (the external appearance of the infected parts) requires a holistic multidimensional approach.
