Yeast Infections (Thrush) Are Most Frequently Caused By Candida Albicans

Everyone thinks of Candida albicans yeast infections as a new modern day scourge. However the fact is that yeast infections have been infecting mankind for centuries. Hippocrates himself described thrush as far back as the 4th century BC.

Candida albicans is the most common cause of yeast infections in humans. Candida albicans belongs to the genus of yeast known as Candida. There are more than 20 species of Candida known. Not all of these species cause disease. Candida albicans yeast infections are known a Candidasis or thrush. It is called thrush because of the visible white patches of yeast growing on the mucous membranes of the vagina or oral area remind you of the mottled egg of a Thrush. The older terms for Candidasis are Moniliasis or Oidiomycosis.

Yeast infections caused most commonly by Candida albicans are known by many different names depending on the symptoms caused and the location of the lesion, for example:

• Vaginal thrush (or vaginal Candidasis) - an infection of the female genital area which causes a white cheesy discharge that typically itches and irritates the vagina and surrounding outer tissues. There may be pain with sexual intercourse or burning with urination.

• Oral thrush (or oral Candidasis) - a yeast infection of the mouth, palate and tongue areas which causes thick, white patches on top of a red, inflammed base. These patches sometimes look like milk curds but cannot be wiped away as easily as milk can. Thrush can be painful and makes it difficult to eat or for babies to suck.

• Nappy rash - often caused by a yeast infection which causes a red, moist, painful rash.

• Paronychia - a yeast infection in the nail bed which become swollen, red and painful.

• Balanitis - this is a yeast infection involving the penile shaft causing a rash, white patches, itchiness and soreness.

• Yeast skin infections - red, inflammed, itchy and painful rash on moist parts of the body such as in the groin (jock itch), under the arms, under the breasts, under rings or in the folds of skin in obese people.

Yeasts belong to the Kingdom of Fungi. Yeasts are microscopic, oval, unicellular organisms which reproduce by budding and are easily grown on laboratory media.

Yeasts belonging to the genus Candida normally reside on all surfaces of the body such as the skin, the vagina, the mouth and the gastrointestinal system. Candida albicans is said to be carried by about 80% of the population. In normal circumstances, Candida cannot cause infections because it is kept in check by the body's natural defence systems and by having to compete for nutrient and space with other resident micro-organisms which also live normally on the body.

Under certain conditions however, Candida can overgrow and become so numerous they cause yeast infections, particularly in warm and moist areas of the body. Some of the conditions which allow Candida albicans to overgrow and cause yeast infections are antibiotic therapy, steroid treatment, hormonal changes, stress, tight jeans, detergents, douches, high sugar diets, diabetes, viral infections, cancer or sweaty skin areas such as under breasts, groins and underarms.

A number of sufferers of yeast infections caused by Candida albicans experience the return of symptoms even after medical treatment. This leads to many people becoming chronic sufferers of recurrent thrush. Yeast infections that return may be a sign of more serious diseases such as diabetes, leukaemia, or AIDS so it is important that you get a thorough check up from your doctor before self treatment

If you suffer from the symptoms of recurrent yeast infections caused most commonly by Candida albicans, you may benefit from some natural therapies and by making some lifestyle changes. The good news is that there are a number of both pharmaceutical and natural remedies available which can help you. All you need to do is to research what the best option for you may be. It is advisable to understand the disease process which causes yeast infections before you embark on the journey to manage your yeast infection by yourself. Hopefully this article has started you on that journey.

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