Vaginal yeast infection symptoms can include itching, burning, soreness, irritation and a white ‘cheese like’ type of discharge. There may also be some tenderness in the vagina and this may become more noticeable when having sexual intercourse.

These symptoms are very similar to vaginitis, which can also be caused by a yeast infection called Candida albicans, but vaginitis might also be the result of a bacterium known as Gardnerella, or indeed certain parasites (like Trichomonas vaginalis).

Treatment of vaginal yeast infections will of course depend on the cause, which will be discovered by means of a physical examination, and may involve the taking of samples so that the organisms causing the infection can be ‘cultured’.

If there is inflammation without infection, a doctor may prescribe soothing creams or anti-inflammatory preparations. Bacterial infections would normally be treated with antibiotics, such as metronidazole (which would also be used to treat the parasites sometimes found with vaginitis).

Assuming the yeast infection is not the result of some underlying disease (like diabetes for example), many believe the symptoms can be dealt with by simply changing your diet or selecting herbal medicine as a more natural solution. If you are fairly sure the infection is not serious, a home treatment of vaginal yeast infection may be possible, but if you are in any doubt, see your doctor.

If you are considering a natural treatment for your vaginal yeast infection, it is important to find one that will reduce or eliminate the yeast in your body. Plain yogurts contain what is commonly referred to as “friendly bacteria”, so this will help to restore a more normal balance in the bacteria that naturally exist in your body. You could also purchase a good quality probiotic which contains the friendly bacteria in a convenient tablet or capsule.

High sugar levels are known to cause or worsen yeast infections, which is why diabetics often experience this problem. In many cases, this is the first indication that a person is suffering from diabetes. So avoiding sugary foodstuffs like chocolate, cakes and sweets is a good idea.

Garlic is often suggested as a potential cure for many ailments and yeast infections are no exception. It has even been said that placing a clove of garlic (wrapped in gauze) inside the vagina can also help to reduce the fungi associated with this infection. Obviously before even considering this option, it is recommended that you do some real research on whether this is a feasible choice.

Most at risk from vaginal yeast infections are women who have been on a course of antibiotics for other illnesses, which kill bacteria and create an imbalance of microorganisms in the vagina, and other parts of the body. Pregnant women are also susceptible to this infection.

It is perhaps wise for anyone suffering from the symptoms of vaginal yeast infection to consult their doctor for confirmation, especially if this is the first time they have experienced such an infection, in order to rule out any other underlying diseases that may be present.

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Herbal treatment of yeast infection is just one of the options available, and herbal medicine has a long history.

The use of herbs goes back to the very earliest civilizations, where plants were often eaten for their health-giving abilities, although it should be said that not all of the plants used were beneficial. According to some records, Egyptian slaves were given garlic every day to protect them from fevers and infections (and other people no doubt?)

It was the Egyptians that created the first written records regarding the benefits of herbs and Egyptian priests were perhaps one of the earliest practitioners of herbal medicine.

As you would expect, ancient Greeks and Romans also showed an interest in herbal medicine and discovered many new ones in the countries they invaded. China and India also have a historic record of using herbs. During the seventeenth century in Britain, herbal shops became almost as popular as pharmacies are today, with many books written on the subject, listing the various plants and their potential benefit.

With the introduction of more ‘scientific’ medicine, herbal medicine began to lose its popularity and there were many attempts to ban it. In more recent years herbal medicine/natural remedies have seen something of a revival, but there has been a growing pressure (especially from some pharmaceutical companies) to legally control its use and restrict the sale of certain products.

Oddly enough, a very large percentage of the medicines we purchase from our local pharmacies contain compounds derived from plants that were commonly used in herbal medicine.

A yeast infection natural treatment might be possible by selecting the right herbs yourself, although it might be easier (and safer) to purchase a product that includes all the correct ingredients you need.

An example of applying caution to a natural remedy might be an old method suggested for curing candidiasis of the mouth (a yeast infection of the mouth, also called thrush). This involved taking something called Mercurius solubilis (quicksilver), an ore of mercury. Mercury, as most of us know, is toxic in large doses, but it has been used since ancient times and was once considered a remedy for syphilis. A powder is obtained from mercury by dissolving liquid mercury in a dilute solution of nitric acid!

Thankfully, more natural yeast infection treatments include special diets, which are designed to reduce the intake of yeast found in certain foodstuffs, which in turn should help to support the ‘friendly bacteria’ in our bodies which protect us.

More than a thousand different species of bacteria can be found in our bodies, but these will not harm us unless the ‘friendly bacteria’ are outnumbered for some reason. Some believe this can happen with a poor diet, but in many cases it can occur as a result of some underlying disease, or in people who have recently taken a course of antibiotics for other illnesses.

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Whilst there is some debate over what exactly causes yeast infections, it is generally believed that an imbalance of bacteria in the gut or on the skin plays a big part. It is estimated that around one thousand different types of bacteria are present in healthy individuals and controlled by the “friendly bacteria” that also exist.

Certain species of bacteria have the ability to kill and effectively eat other microorganisms, and these might be considered as the ‘bad guys’ or scientifically referred to as predatory bacteria.

Some bacteria are also known to produce methane and a curious experiment was carried out to confirm this. A group of people were interested to know what gave the sea its distinctive smell (that we are all familiar with when we go to the beach). Apparently, the ‘aroma’ is created by the ‘gas’ released by the bacteria after they have eaten various substances in the sea. It was an interesting revelation, but maybe something we would have been happier not to have known?

As we already know, yeast infections can affect men and women, and in men the infection can cause red patchy sores near the head of the penis or on the foreskin and a person may experience a burning sensation or severe itching. A white discharge may also appear, but this is uncommon.

The treatment of male yeast infections is fairly straightforward, depending on the location and severity.

How do you treat a male yeast infection?

The most popular way of treating male yeast infections usually involves antibiotics or creams and ointments, but there is a growing belief that special diets can help with this process and reduce the risk of it returning.

As an excessive amount of yeast in the body is obviously a factor with this infection, it seems to make sense that reducing the intake of foodstuffs that contain yeast themselves is a good idea. If this is true, then alcohol, chocolate and cheese should be high on your list of things to avoid. Fermented products like bread, soy sauce and vinegar (which also contain yeast) should also be avoided if possible.

By avoiding such foodstuffs, there is a good chance that you will be helping your “friendly bacteria” to do their job more effectively, creating a natural solution to the treatment of yeast infections. Plain yoghurts are also beneficial and contain some of the ‘good guys’ (healthy bacteria).

Whilst the treatment of male yeast infections in healthy individuals is not a serious problem, there is a danger that the infection could be as a result of some underlying disease (like diabetes for example), so it is important for a doctor to explore these possibilities in order to rule them out. In most cases a doctor will carry out special tests to determine this if he suspects some other disease may be present.

Surprisingly enough, bacteria were first observed more than 300 years ago and they were given the name of animalcules. The name bacterium appeared in the early nineteenth century. It wasn’t until the early twentieth century that an effective treatment became available for bacteria. Single-celled microorganisms have been around for a very long time, about 4 billion years according to scientists, making them one of the first life forms to appear on our planet.

Although bacteria can be responsible for certain diseases, and are always found in or on our bodies, not all bacteria are harmful. In fact, some are essential and are commonly referred to as “friendly bacteria” helping to keep a balance between the good and the bad.

However, for a number of reasons, the “friendly” bacteria can sometimes become outnumbered and this may result in yeast infections, which are also known as Candidiasis. This can affect various areas of the body and quite often the vagina.

The main vaginal yeast infection symptoms include itching, burning, soreness, irritation and a white ‘cottage cheese’ type discharge. Symptoms of vaginal yeast infection may also produce some tenderness in the vagina, which might become more noticeable when having sexual intercourse.

Vaginal yeast infections are likely to affect 75 percent of women during their lives, and half of these will suffer from this infection more than once. Vaginal yeast infections (also known as vaginal thrush) commonly affect women between the ages of 20-39, and especially those that are pregnant.

Women most at risk from this type of infection are those who have been on a course of antibiotics for other illnesses, which kill bacteria and create an imbalance of microorganisms in the vagina, and other parts of the body.

Vaginal thrush, which can also be called vaginal candidiasis, is a yeast infection of the vagina that is very common and is caused by a fungus called Candida Albicans. This species of fungus is naturally found in the vagina and is usually quite harmless. However, if bacterial levels change and an imbalance results, Candida albicans can appear and make this more of a problem.

Candida albicans is a casual organism and is generally easy to treat, although it may recur. It tends to frequently appear in people who are ‘run down’ or those with a depressed immune system, who have been taking immunosuppressive drugs (transplant patients for example). It may also develop in patients suffering from Aids.

Why some women are more likely to have vaginal yeast infections than others is debatable, but this may be due to some underlying health problem, like diabetes which has been poorly controlled (unacceptable blood sugar levels).

Anyone suffering from the symptoms of vaginal yeast infection should consult their doctor for confirmation, in order to rule out any other diseases that may be more serious.

Bacteria are always present in our bodies and these are essential for helping us function properly, they are quite often referred to as “friendly bacteria”. The majority of these bacteria can be found in our gut (gut flora) and on our skin. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms, and as the name suggests, very small. They come in a variety of shapes which include spirals, rods and spheres. They can be found pretty much anywhere on the planet, even in radioactive waste.

Unfortunately, not all the bacteria found in our bodies are “friendly” and some species are pathogenic, which can cause infectious diseases. These might include syphilis, cholera and less common diseases like leprosy and bubonic plague. Bacterial diseases are common in respiratory infections, including tuberculosis, a disease that kills approximately 2 million people every year.

Thankfully, yeast infections are not contagious, although there have been cases of a mother passing on this infection to her newborn baby (because she was suffering from a vaginal yeast infection).

Male yeast infection symptoms are fairly easy to notice and can produce red patchy sores near the head of the penis or on the foreskin, a burning sensation or severe itching. A white discharge from the penis might also been witnessed, but this is uncommon.

The symptoms of male genital yeast infection may appear fairly obvious to a doctor, but further tests may be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Whilst the male yeast infection signs may point to Candidiasis, it might also be an indication of some other underlying problem.

Symptoms of male yeast infection quite often reveal the presence of diabetes. Although the classic signs of diabetes are usually frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, and sometimes a feeling of being tired, the increased blood sugar levels can also produce yeast infections on the penis. Treatment for the yeast infection is fairly straightforward and usually involves antibiotics or creams and ointments, depending on the location of the infection.

Dietary changes have also been suggested, although there is some debate within the medical profession as to how affective these are. However, there clearly seems to be an excessive amount of yeast in the body, or on the skin, and a reduction of foodstuffs that contain extra yeast seems like a prudent step to take.

It has been suggested that alcohol, chocolate and cheese should be at the top of your list of foodstuffs to avoid. Other items would include fermented products like bread, soy sauce and vinegar, which all contain yeast. As “friendly bacteria” are good for the body and help to create a balance with the ones that are not, plain yoghurts would be beneficial to your diet, as they contain the sort of bacteria you need.

Generally speaking, yeast infections are not too serious on their own, but it is important to treat the problem as quickly as possible to avoid any complications. It is also wise to consult your doctor, so that more serious underlying diseases can be ruled out.

In women, a vaginal yeast infection produces a white ‘cheesy’ discharge that can itch and irritate the vagina and the surrounding tissues. Sometimes pain may be experienced with sexual intercourse or a burning sensation when urinating. For men it might produce red patchy sores near the head of the penis or on the foreskin, a burning sensation or severe itching. Candidiasis symptoms of the penis may also produce a white discharge, but this is not common.

Signs of a yeast infection can be detected if white patches on a red base appear on the tongue or other areas of the mouth. This is called oral candidiasis or thrush and caused by a type of fungus called Candida Albicans. The patches may also have the appearance of milk curds, but they can not be easily removed, but if they are the tissue underneath may bleed. It is possible that the infection may make the tongue look red without any white patches. Oral candidiasis can be painful and cause difficulty when eating, plenty of water should be drunk to avoid dehydration.

Candida Albicans is a casual organism and is generally easy to treat, although it may recur. It may occur in people who are ‘run down’ or who have recently had to take courses of antibiotics for other illnesses. It also tends to occur in persons with a depressed immune system, who have been taking immunosuppressive drugs (transplant patients for example). It may also appear in patients suffering from Aids.

Approximately 75 percent of women will have thrush (yeast infection) during their lives, and 50 percent of these will get thrush more than once. Thrush mainly affects women in their twenties and thirties, and women who are pregnant. Girls that have not yet started their periods, and women who have started the menopause, are less affected.

For those suffering with a weakened immune system, yeast infections can affect other areas of the body, causing pain and even failure of internal organs. More than 80 percent of patients with Aids develop a yeast infection called esophagitis in their upper gastrointestinal systems. This is not unlike oral candidiasis, but can also affect the esophagus and stomach, and produce painful ulcers throughout the gastrointestinal system, often making it too painful to swallow liquids.

If yeast infections get into the bloodstream, a person may become sick with or without the signs of fever. A person’s mental functions or behavior may also be affected if the infection spreads to the brain.

Diabetes mellitus and the use of anti-bacterial antibiotics have been linked to an increased incidence of yeast infections (Candida) and diet was found to affect rates of symptomatic Candidiasis in tests carried out on animals.

Candida infections of the skin or mucosal membranes that cause local inflammation are quite common and clearly attributable to the genus Candida (yeast infection), candidiasis describes a variety of differing syndromes that can frequently differ in their causes and outcomes and can be divided into a number of different types.

Vaginal yeast infections affect a large percentage of women during their lives, and many of these will suffer from this infection more than once. Also commonly known as vaginal thrush, the infection normally affects women between the ages of 20-39, and especially those that are pregnant.

One of the causes of vaginal yeast infections that is commonplace, is the use of antibiotics, either short or long term.  The antibiotics actually kill off the healthy bacteria and create an imbalance of microorganisms in the vaginal area.  Women that have suffered from other conditions or short term illnesses are most at risk of this type of infection.

Vaginal thrush and vaginal candidiasis are just two of the other names that are applied to this common yeast infection, which is caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. This species of fungus lives naturally in the vagina and is usually harmless. However, if bacterial levels change an imbalance can result and Candida albicans can develop.

Candida albicans is a casual organism and is usually easy to cure, although it may reoccur. It commonly tends to appear in people who are ‘run down’ or in those with a depressed immune system who have been taking immunosuppressive drugs (which might be used by transplant patients). Patients suffering from Aids may also encounter this organism, which will also cause yeast infections.

In addition to the causes already mentioned, underlying diseases (like diabetes) can also produce yeast infections. Diabetes is a condition in which the body can not use sugar and carbohydrates from foods, because the pancreas is unable to produce enough of the hormone called insulin. As a diabetic’s blood sugar levels rise, so does the risk of seeing a yeast infection, because Candida microorganisms consume sugar.

Whilst certain foods may not be directly responsible for yeast infections, there seems to be sufficient evidence to suggest that they can play an important part. It has been suggested that alcohol, chocolate, cheese, fermented products like bread, soy sauce and vinegar are worth avoiding when you have a yeast infection, and can be helpful in limiting its recurrence.

Ensuring that a good balance of ‘friendly’ bacteria is present in and on the body would seem to be essential in combating this infection. Despite popular belief, some bacteria are not only good for you, but absolutely necessary.

There are more than a thousand different species of bacteria living in the gastrointestinal system and there are more of these living in the large intestine than there are cells in the whole body.

Bacteria help to break down food and assist with its digestion, converting nutrients for absorption. ‘Friendly’ bacteria also help our immune system to fight certain diseases and infections, which is why antibiotics have been blamed for yeast infections, because these are destroyed along with the less friendly bacteria when taken.

Over the last ten years the world has seen an increase in the number of people who suffer from an immune deficiency, which means their immune system is limited or non-existent, and therefore more likely to obtain infectious diseases, just one of the causes of Candida. Detailed studies of Candida and related yeasts have been carried out and new anti-fungal therapies are expected to be developed as a result of the findings.

The increase in yeast infections closely matches the growing use of antibiotics. Research has revealed that antibiotics not only destroy the bad bacteria in our bodies, but the ‘friendly bacteria’ as well. It is this balance of good and bad bacteria that needs to be maintained and problems occur when the friendly bacteria fall below an acceptable level.

What causes Candida? As we have already mentioned, antibiotics appear to be closely connected to Candida, but there are many other things that could be responsible.

Certain prescription drugs and even those bought ‘over-the-counter’ have been known to cause Candida, but the symptoms may also be related to a more serious underlying disease like diabetes, hypothyroidism and Addison disease.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body can not use sugar and carbohydrates from foods. This is because the pancreas is unable to produce enough of the hormone called insulin. A type one diabetic relies completely on insulin, whereas a type two diabetic is usually able to control their sugar levels by diet alone. The Candida microorganisms consume sugar, which is why yeast infections often appear when the levels increase.

Hypothyroidism involves the thyroid gland, which is an important hormone-producing gland essential for the regulation of metabolism and can cause gastrointestinal upset, another area that can have an affect on yeast infections.

Like hypothyroidism, Addison disease can also cause gastrointestinal upset, and the disease is caused by the destruction or failure of the cortex of the adrenal glands (which are situated above the kidneys). Damage to the adrenal glands as a result of diabetes, can also increase the risk of developing Addison’s disease.

A person’s diet may also increase the possibility of developing Candida, and foodstuffs like alcohol, chocolate, cakes, sweets, cheese and fatty foods are believed to encourage yeast infections.

Whilst there are mixed ideas on what causes Candida, most seem to agree that one of the main reasons appear to be an imbalance of the bacteria found in our bodies and on our skin.

More than a thousand different species of bacteria live in our gastrointestinal tract, but these do not usually cause any problem because of a balance created by the ‘friendly bacteria’ that live there as well. If the friendly bacteria become outnumbered, this can lead to Candida.

More than one thousand different species of bacteria inhabit our gastrointestinal tract, but these do not usually cause us any problem because of a balance created by the ‘friendly bacteria’ that exist there as well. If the friendly bacteria become outnumbered, this can lead to problems.

Once an overgrowth of the ‘less friendly’ bacteria occurs, a yeast infection (also known as Candida) can transform into a fungal form, and this has the ability to penetrate the intestinal wall.

Candida is an organism which can exist as a round yeast cell or as a fungus. In healthy individuals this organism remains in the yeast form.

Candida albicans is the most significant member of the Candida genus of yeasts, which can cause infections called candidiasis or thrush in humans. Candida albicans is part of the normal flora of the mucous membranes of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and female genital tracts, which as previously mentioned can cause thrush (oropharyngeal candidiasis), vaginal Candidiasis (vulvovaginal candidiasis) and is responsible for other yeast infection causes.

Other causes of yeast infections can be evident in elderly people who wear dentures (because food can get trapped), and the infection is usually seen in moist areas of the skin, such as skin folds or mucous membranes. Anyone can become a victim of yeast infections, regardless of age or sex.

However, what causes a yeast infection that is different to that found in a healthy individual? Whilst the infection itself may appear to be the same, it is possible that the cause may be an underlying disease, which is why tests are advisable to explore this possibility.

Diabetes is just one of the diseases that can produce a yeast infection and this is connected to the high blood sugar levels in the body (of a person who has a poorly controlled diabetic condition). For many, this is the first sign that they have diabetes, although an excessive thirst and hunger is more usual. A weakened immune system may also be a factor, a nutrient deficiency, some cancer treatments, steroids and even stress.

Genital yeast infections are less common in men than they are in women. Although these sorts of infections are not normally considered contagious, there are circumstances where yeast infections can be passed on through sexual contact. There have also been reported cases where women with a vaginal yeast infection have passed on this infection to their newborn babies.

There are about 150 different species of the genus Candida, but those causing infections in humans are few in number. Diagnosing a yeast infection is achieved by microscopic examination or culturing.

Certain foodstuffs are considered a contributing factor to yeast infections and these include items like alcohol, chocolate, cheese, fermented products like bread, soy sauce and vinegar, although the latter has sometimes been suggested as a help in curing the external problems of the infection.

Candida albicans is a casual organism and is generally easy to treat, although it may recur. It may occur in people who are ‘run down’ and tends to appear in persons with a depressed immune system, who have been taking immunosuppressive drugs (transplant patients for example). It may also develop in patients suffering from Aids.

Approximately 75% of women will have vaginal thrush during their lives, and 50 percent of these will get thrush more than once. Vaginal thrush mainly affects women in their twenties and thirties, and women who are pregnant.

Women most at risk from vaginal thrush are those who have been on a course of antibiotics for other illnesses, which kill bacteria and create an imbalance of microorganisms in the vagina, and other parts of the body.

Vaginal thrush symptoms include itching, burning, soreness, irritation and a whitish ‘cottage cheese’ type discharge. There may also be some vaginal tenderness, especially during sexual intercourse.

Why some women are more likely to have vaginal thrush than others is debatable, but diabetes that is poorly controlled or a seriously damaged immune system is just two of the ideas that have been suggested.

Cures for vaginal thrush are numerous. In mild cases your doctor may recommend a short course of antifungal medicine, lasting just a few days, but more severe cases will require this treatment for longer. Antifungal medicine for thrush can be taken in two forms: orally as tablets or capsules, or inserted into the vagina using intravaginal pessaries. Creams may be offered to treat any soreness.

Others seek to reduce or eliminate Candida Albicans by changing their diet. This involves cleansing the body, and alcohol, chocolate and cheese are top of the list of foodstuffs to be avoided.

Vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, celery, onions, raw garlic, spinach, tomatoes and others can help starve Candida of the sugar it feeds on, but try to avoid starchy ones like carrots, potatoes, yams, beets, peas, parsnips and beans that are not green.

Plain yoghurts are good, as they contain ‘friendly bacteria’ which can help restore a normal balance in your system. It is an imbalance in your system (where friendly bacteria become outnumbered) that allows Candida to get a foothold and cause problems like vaginal thrush.

Proteins found in fresh beef, chicken, fish and eggs are also recommended, but try to avoid processed meat that contains sugar and other chemicals. You can also include non-glutinous grains, herbs and spices, nuts and seeds, but always remember to drink plenty of water as this helps to detoxify your body. If you are eating a salad, try to use raw salad vegetables like celery, or something similar.

Doctors may offer differing views on the benefit of a special diet to help thrush, but there is certainly no harm in trying.