Diagnosed yeast infections are apparently only the tip of an iceberg. It is estimated that over three-fourths of the population have a yeast infection that they are not even aware of. The question naturally arises: does yeast infection cause physical symptoms if untreated? An untreated yeast infection is bound to flare up once in a way and cause physical symptoms. Basically, yeast infection is caused by the overgrowth of Candida albicans, yeast normally found in the body along with other bacteria. These friendly bacteria keep the number of yeast under control. But unhealthy diet habits, certain diseases, antibiotic and steroid therapy, derailed immunity, stress etc. can result in the Candida growing unchecked leading to yeast infection.
Though
not fatal, a yeast infection does cause physical
symptoms if untreated. The symptoms vary from one person
to another but following are some common ones linked to
untreated yeast infection: Physical symptoms
include: headaches or migraines, memory problems,
disorientation, or inability to focus, mood swings,
fatigue or feeling tired all the time, constipation or
diarrhea, aching limbs, hips, and joint pain. Emotional
or psychological symptoms like depression or lowered
self esteem are also linked to yeast infection.
Skin lesions or redness of the skin, vaginal
discharge, sexual discomfort or the inability to perform
are also seen in long-standing untreated yeast
infections. Overt yeast infections manifest a whole
range of unpleasant symptoms that make life extremely
distressing, but an untreated yeast infection has
long-term harmful effects on health. Without treatment,
the yeast can enter the blood and be transported
throughout the body, eventually settling down in
intestines or other vital organs causing widespread
damage making it all the more difficult to control. One
such medical condition is sepsis that may develop if a
yeast infection is allowed to fester untreated.
Yeast
infection generally causes a myriad of symptoms that
vary from person to person. Most doctors do not believe
the causative agent to be Candida and the patient runs
from one physician to another while the infection
festers untreated. By the time, it is diagnosed
correctly; physical signs have usually worsened to
emotional and psychological
symptoms.
An
untreated
yeast infection
will compound the severity of the symptoms
and is usually a pointer of a more serious health
problem. Yeast infection results as a result of
interplay between the physical, emotional, mental and
spiritual aspects of the body. Bringing a balance
between all these factors will result in healing and
health. This is called holistic approach which generally
calls for integrating healthy lifestyle, good diet
habits, optimal weight maintenance, stress relief,
natural remedies etc. into the patient's life.
