Candida And Its Health Risks
Amongst the many tiny organisms that live on our bodies is Candida Albicans, a fungus. While its numbers are kept small by good bacteria the fungus is harmless, but if able to grow too much it leads to a yeast infection. In the mouth or throat this is known as Thrush, and the other more common area is the genitals, these places more prone because they are warm and damp.
The fungus are kept in small numbers by the good bacteria in our bodies and there are several reasons why these may be unable to do their job. A common one is the prolonged use of antibiotics. The very nature of the drug is to kill bacteria but many antibiotics can not identify the specific bacteria that is making you ill and will kill all bacteria, good and bad. Diet is also a common issue – people with a diet high in sugar are more prone as the fungus feeds on the sugar. You know you have a yeast infection by it symptoms which include burning, itching and redness. Oral yeast infection or Thrush is identifiable by white patches in the mouth under which are lesions that are painful.
Prevention of a yeast infection involves maintaining the balance in your body and ensuring you do not create favorable conditions for the fungus such as an acidic environment. Your diet is what can affect this. When dealing with an existing infection you need to treat promptly as the longer it is left the more chance there are of health risks and further complications. Not only will it not clear up by itself, and the symptoms will worsen, but there are rare but potential risks of the fungus entering your blood stream where it can do a lot of internal damage (systemic infection.)
Over the counter treatments are the conventional option but some have found they only deal with the symptoms not the trigger. Which means the infection is likely to happen again possibly leading to a recurring problem.
Avoid foods with yeast, and sugar. Cut out alcohol and refined carbs. Eat more green leafy vegetables, more yogurt that is probiotic and lean proteins like chicken. Raw garlic too is anti fungal and so will help fight the yeast. Avoid milk and cheeses that have fructose and lactose in them. Though the diet can be hard at first it is worth it when you are clear of yeast for good!
For more info on how to deal with candida, check out our yeast infection cure website, where you can find plenty of information on the subject. Today’s special: yeast infection causes