Also known as Candida, Monilia and Thrush, yeast infection is just one of a number of the kinds of infections that trouble the vagina and the vulva (the surrounding area to the vagina), causing vaginal yeast infection.

In
fact, three types of Vaginitis (the general
medical term for infections of the vagina)
exist:
·
Trichomoniasis:
when parasitic protozoa cause the infection of the
vagina
·
Bacterial
vaginosis: an infection of the vagina; sexually
transmitted in most cases and caused by
bacteria.
·
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. A suitable consition would
be one where, 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.
Causes
of vaginal yeast infection
can be varied and many. Therefore, the treatment
for it should also be multi dimensional. To
eliminate the problem at the root, instead of only
treating the symptoms of the condition (the
external appearance of the infected parts), one
requires a
holistic, multidimensional
approach.