by Linda Allen

It is Candida species that causes yeast infections, or candidiasis. There are more than 100 naturally occurring species, but only 24 of them are recognized as true causes of yeast infection. The most abundant species is Candida albicans, then Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis.

For healthy individuals, the intestines are protected from the multiplication of Candida by the beneficial gastrointestinal bacterial flora. Candida is usually kept in check when the natural equilibrium between Candida and the gastrointestinal bacterial flora is maintained. Strangely enough, the main cause of yeast infection is not simply yeast organisms, although these are usually present in small amounts in most areas of the body. When this usual balance is upset, Candida species can reproduce rapidly and provoke multiple symptoms of yeast infection.

Several internal considerations, several external items and their interacting relationship create a candidiasis environment. Yeast infection, like many other health diseases that recur, is the product of multiple factors.

Genetic traits (which we do not control) and lifestyle and psychological factors can encourage Candida overgrowth, favored in general by contributions from internal factors provoking yeast multiplication. Internal reasons for yeast infection include  weakened immune system, diminished friendly probiotic bacteria and bad diet choices: sugary products, white flour products, refined carbohydrates, caffeine, alcohol and other yeast encouraging foods.

Several more external factors and circumstances also lead to candida multiplication and infection. The yeast infection environment is produced because of these factors and associated internal co-factors.

The principal external agents of vaginal yeast infection are: (1) wearing tight clothes or clothes made of synthetic fibers; (2) wiping “the wrong way” from rectum to vagina after using the toilet, encouraging the spread of bacteria; (3) douching or applying female hygiene sprays to the intimate area; (4) the use of colored or perfumed toilet paper, deodorant sanitary towels, tampons, or bubble bath.

The main external agents of oral yeast infection (thrush) are: (1) wearing orthodontic appliances or dentures with a poor fit; (2) treatment by badly disinfected medical equipment catering for multiuse; (3) introducing dirty objects into one’s mouth (especially for babies).

The main external agents of baby diaper rash are: (1) skin remains in excessive contact with urine and feces because of diapers kept too long; (2) allergy reactions due to the dye in training pants and disposable diapers, and also the effects of wipes, lotions and creams, etc.; (3) lipid-dissolving soaps that increase the permeability of the skin, making diaper dermatitis even riskier; (4) folds in the skin due to obesity, with additional moisture and friction due to insufficient circulation of air.

The external agents of male yeast infection are: (1) neglect of personal hygiene; (2) use of glycerin based lubricants or colored or perfumed soaps; (3) sexual intercourse with a partner suffering from yeast infection.

The external reasons of paronychia (nail bed infections) are: (1) soaking hands in water for a long time (this means that bacteria and yeasts easily invade and multiply in the space under the nail as the nail plate can be lifted up off the nail bed); (2) use of clothing and shoes that prevent air from circulating.

Although the external agents of yeast infection are well documented, the fundamental contributing factors are less so. With medicine in developed countries focused on dealing with the manifestation of candida in the parts that are infected, conventional yeast infection treatments are for the short term. The alternative is holistic medicine which looks at the body as a whole and aims to establish an internal balance, reinforcing the immune system and improving mental stability. The holistic program, based on specific supplements of herbs and vitamins, follows a full group of dietary principles and protocols to control Candida and thus addresses the internal as well as the external contributing aspects, to eliminate the basic causes of yeast infection, the multitude of handicapping symptoms and its recurrence.

Linda Allen is a health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book (http://www.yeastinfectionnomore.com/index2.html)  Yeast Infection No More .  To Learn More About Linda Allen’s Unique Holistic Yeast Infection Cure System Visit: (http://www.yeastinfectionadvice.com) Vaginal Yeast Infection

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