Chronic Yeast Infection

What is a Yeast Infection?

Yeast lives on your skin and in your body. Your immune system usually keeps yeast at bay; however, antibiotic usage, illnesses, and obesity increase the risk of a fungal infection.

A yeast infection is caused by a specific strain of yeast known as Candida. Although a small amount of yeast is found in the body, a yeast infection occurs when there is an overgrowth of Candida. Most yeast infections are caused by Candida albicans. A yeast infection is a type of fungal infection that affects different areas of the body. Areas affected include the skin, mouth, genitals, throat and blood.

Candida can reside in the digestive tract, mouth, vagina, and skin. Normally, candida causes no harm; however, if it begins to overgrow, it can cause discomfort. Chronic yeast infections are overgrowths of Candida and typically occur in moist areas. A chronic yeast infection is persistent. Here we look into the various symptoms of chronic yeast infection.

Yeast Infection of the Mouth

Oral candidiasis, thrush, is a yeast infection of your mouth. It occurs when Candida albicans accumulates in the mouth. Candida naturally occurs in the mouth; however, when there is an overgrowth of this fungus, it can cause oral thrush. The symptoms of oral thrush include:

• White lesions on the inner cheeks and tongue
• Thrush can spread to your gums, the roof of your mouth, the back of your throat, and your tonsils
• Cottage cheese looking appearance on your tongue
• Pain that can make swallowing or eating difficult
• Crack skin around the mouth
• Loss of taste
• Cotton mouth
• Redness or irritation in the mouth

At times white patches (like milk curds) appear on the mouth, lips or elsewhere in the mouth. When the white patch is wiped away, bleeding may occur. Thrush is very common in infants because of the changes in hormones experience right after birth. Research indicates individuals who have a weakened immune system, cancer, diabetes, medications like steroids (prednisone), and oral conditions can increase the risk of developing thrush. Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, visiting your dentist twice a year, and limiting the amount of sugary foods you eat can reduce your risk of developing thrush.

Causes of Yeast Infections

There are numerous causes that can increase your risk of developing a chronic yeast infection:

• Antibiotics – Antibiotics not only destroys bad bacteria, but also destroys the good lactobacillus bacteria. These bacteria produces acid making the body inhospitable for an overgrowth of yeast.
• Pregnancy – When women are pregnant, their hormones change and they have an increased amount of estrogen in their body, which can alter the body’s natural pH levels. During this time, candida can grow out of control.
• Birth control pills – Women on an estrogen hormone therapy routine or a birth control pill that contains high doses of estrogen are more prone to yeast infections.
• Douching
• Diabetes mellitus
• Diet compromised of sugars and refined carbs
• Elevated stress levels
• Imbalanced microbiota
• Improperly using catheters
• Increased alcohol consumption
• Weak immune system

If you have any of these risk factors, a change in your diet and some lifestyle modifications can help decrease your risk of a yeast infection.

Looking for Chronic Yeast Infection Treatment

Patients who suffer with four or more yeast infections each year are often diagnosed with chronic or recurrent yeast infection. There are many causes for recurrent infections, including uncontrolled diabetes, a compromised immune system and hormonal imbalances.

Our integrative practitioners specialize in treatment and prevention of chronic yeast infections, skin issues and other rashes. We focus on treating your whole body rather than just your symptoms. Your diet plays an important role in reducing the risk of a recurrent yeast infection.