The Facts About Recurring Yeast Infections

Candidiasis, the scientific word for what most of us call a yeast infection, is a common disorder that is found across the world in both women and men. It is estimated that up to 75% of the world"s population will have some experience with a yeast infection at some point or another. Even though it is less common, a large part of this group will experience it more than once. This is known as chronic or recurring Candidiasis, or a chronic yeast infection. This can be a terrible discomfort and inconvenience for people who are trying to function in a busy and hectic society.

Why do some people constantly suffer while others go through life fairly yeast free? There are many factors that make the conditions in the human body good for an attack of Candida Albicans, the fungus that causes yeast infections. Candida is actually found all throughout the body. It is present in the mouth, the skin, in the intestines, and in the genitals. It is usually under control and does not spread throughout the body thanks to the essential bacteria found in the digestive tract. When conditions get right for candida albicans to flourish, they will compete with the body"s natural bacteria for food and nutrients.

When someone gets a noticeable yeast infection, they are actually experiencing the next phase in the Candida Albicans infection. There are two kinds of infection; acute and recurring. Acute Candidiasis is when the infection comes quickly and the symptoms show immediately. This is common for vaginal yeast infections and thrush, a type of infection in the mouth and throat, commonly found in newborn babies. It can be treated naturally or with topical medications and is less serious than recurring yeast infections.

Chronic Candidiasis is a more serious case of a yeast infection and poses a more significant risk to your health. Chronic Candidiasis can affect someone for long amounts of time and destroy and damage the body if the infection is allowed to become too prevalent. Chronic Candidiasis occurs when candida albicans attach themselves to healthy cells in the body and insert hollow tubes called hyphe into the normal cells. At this point the candida albicans develop into mold cells and secrete a fluid that destroys and breaks down the healthy cells so that they can be digested by the fungus.

After these hyphe have been allowed to take deep root into the body it is not an easy task trying to get rid of them. Many medications that claim to cure yeast infections do not penetrate below the surface of the skin deep enough to kill these residual hyphe and it allows for them to grow and reform as soon as conditions are right in the body again. Often oral medications are not taken for a long enough period of time for the hyphe to completely die.

If you think you may have chronic Candidiasis, you should first go to see a physician. A chronic case is dangerous to the body and probably needs medical attention to recover completely. Remember not to get discouraged; a yeast infection can be overcome with some patience and care.

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