The Most Common Causes Of A Yeast Infection
Yeast infection or candidiasis as it is known in medical circles, is a skin infection that causes discomfort and inflammation on both male and female skin. It can range from a mild and simply annoying disorder, all the way to a disease that could be potentially life threatening. Yeast infections are very common in AIDS and cancer patients. This is because a suppressed immune system in these patients allows opportunistic infections to take hold. Primarily, this disorder occurs in women but under certain conditions, it has been found that 15% - 20% of men suffer from this disorder. Let's take a look at what can cause a yeast infection.
1) Changes in estrogen levels in women. During the menstrual stage of most women, vaginal tissues are plumped up with glycogen due to the effect of estrogen in this area. Yeast organisms feed on this glycogen, since it is a form of sugar and becomes fuel for the yeast organisms. Symptoms of an infection show up but do not necessarily become problematic. In most cases, when the estrogen levels becomes normal again after the period, there is no sign of infection.
2) Too much sugar intake. When there is an increase in the blood sugar level of the body, it literally sends an invitation out to the yeast cells, which as just previously mentioned, feed on the glucose. Apart from eating sweets one should also keep a check on sugary breakfasts, sugary drinks and foods with high carbohydrates. Lowering your sugar intake will keep the yeast population at bay and thus prevent the infection. Because of their inability to handle sugar loads, diabetes patients have a tendency to suffer from yeast infections.
3) Weather conditions. If the weather is too hot and you are wearing tight-fitting clothing, it will increase the moisture and warmth inside your body, thereby sending a growth signal to the yeast cells. To prevent an infection, you should wear light clothing made of breathable cotton, when you are in hot weather.
4) Sexual transmission. In the case of men, unprotected and frequent sex often causes yeast infection. But this is not significant since the yeast organism tends to spread only when their sexual partner is previously suffering from a yeast infection.
5) Pregnancy. During this delicate time, a woman's body chemistry and hormones are changing dramatically. More sugar becomes available in the vaginal tract because of these changes. As such, opportunistic yeast cells will overgrow and cause an infection.
Theses are some of the most common answers to the question "what can cause a yeast infection". In some cases, a little bit of precaution can go a long way towards preventing this human malady.
Sources: Sources http://www.curecandidayeast.com/ http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Most-Common-Causes-Of-AYeast-Infection&id=7519021