Yeast Infection
November 10th, 2011
Symptoms
The symptoms of Yeast Infection are redness, discomfort and itching around a very localized part of the skin or the mucosal membranes. The parts most often infected include the mouth, the pharynx or esophagus, the gastrointestinal tract, the urinary tract, or the vagina or penis. In its worse condition, patients experience severe itching, soreness, irritation or a burning sensation, and a whitish or gray discharge. Both women and men can get infected and also children, usually between the ages of three and nine, can be affected by chronic mouth yeast infections, which are seen around the mouth as white patches.
Causes
There are multiple causes of Yeast Infection including detergents or douches, internal imbalance (hormonal or physiological) which will disturb the normal vaginal flora of lactic acid bacteria. Pregnancy and the use of certain contraceptives are risk factors, and also sex, vaginal or anal, without cleansing afterwards. Sex using lubricants containing glycerin are sometimes considered a cause but the case is unproven. Sex with a partner who has the disease is also a very likely cause. Diabetes and similar diseases and the use of antibiotics are also linked to incidence of yeast infections. A delicate or undeveloped immune system can lead to infection.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a yeast infection is made by either a microscopic examination or culturing. For identification by light microscopy, a sample of the affected area is placed on a microscope slide. A single drop of 10% potassium hydroxide solution is then added to the specimen. As the chemical dissolves the skin cells, the Candida cells remain intact, permitting visualization of the budding yeast cells. For the culturing method, a sterile swab is wiped over the infected skin surface and streaked on a culture medium. The culture is incubated at 37C for several days, which allows development of yeast or bacterial colonies.
Treatment
Most infections of yeast infection are treatable. It is invariably treated with antimycotics such as nystatin, fluconazole, clotrimazole and ketoconazole. Anyone who has an allergic reaction to the azole group of medicines should avoid these as they have contradictory reactions with other medicines. In severe cases, usually in hospitalized patients, amphotericin B, caspofungin, or voriconazole is the usual remedy. Localised treatment can include vaginal suppositories or medicated douches. Gentian violet is a preparation that can be used but when taken in large quantities it can cause ulcers and has been linked to cancer. Chronic infections may be treatable with other anti-fungal drugs, but resistance to these may develop.
History
Yeast Infection was discovered by botanist Christine Marie Berkhout and first mentioned in 1923. Over the years, the classification of the species has evolved. The genus Candida includes about 150 different species, however, only a few are known to cause human infections. Some alternative medicine proponents postulate the existence of ‘systemic candidiasis’ or yeast allergy. The view was widely promoted by Dr. William Crook who hypothesized that a variety of common symptoms such as fatigue, PMS, asthma, sexual dysfunction, digestive and urinary problems, multiple sclerosis, and muscle pain, could be caused by subclinical infections of Yeast Infection.
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