A Candid Look into Yeast Infections
What may arguably be the most commonly known yeast infection or form
of candidiasis in the world today is thrush, which affects mostly female
genitalia. (It is rare, though not impossible, for men to contract the
disease.) But yeast infections actually do not limit themselves to either
gender, and simply affect certain areas of the human body.
Yeast
infections are infections confined specifically to the skin or mucous-like
membrane, caused in human beings by a genus of fungi called Candida. It
appears in laboratory-cultured agar plates as large, round colonies
colored white, cream or whitish-gray. One of its most famous (or rather
infamous) species is Candida albicans, though it must be noted that
Candida albicans is not the only species that causes yeast infections in
human beings.
Candida albicans lives peacefully with other flora in
the human body, its growth kept in check by a certain bacteria. It makes
its home inside the dark, warm, wet areas of the body. This is why yeast
infections are found in areas such as the ears, the mouth, the blood, the
gastrointestinal or "gut" area - and yes, the area "down there." However,
it also likes human skin, particularly warm, wet sections which like skin
folds and armpits.
Candidiasis is also called "yeast infection" is
because Candida albicans' normal form is that of single oval yeast cells.
When in yeast form, it duplicates itself through budding. This means the
cells create genetic clones of themselves through bulbs that "grow" out of
them. These bulbs stay attached to the parent cells for a while before
letting go.
So what actually causes yeast infection? First, the
human body's temperature must be at a specific level and the pH levels
must be balanced, two of the conditions necessary for Candida albicans and
its partner bacteria to grow without disturbing other flora. But when the
temperature and pH levels change, these bacteria die. This leaves the
Candida albicans cells free to change into fungi and to replicate with no
control over themselves.
Candida albicans fungi mark their
territories during this population boom by causing any of these
sensations: burning, itching, soreness, or tingling. Sometimes, two of
these sensations can be felt at once. It's a bad idea to scratch the
irritated areas, since this act would only compound the overgrowth of the
fungi.
Other signs include fatigue, drowsiness, muscle aches, pain
or swelling in the joints, dizziness, fluid retention, tissue swelling,
loss of balance, lack of coordination, lack of concentration, poor memory,
mood swings, depression, anxiety, irritability, and cravings for sugars,
carbohydrates and alcohol. But these are also common symptoms for other
sicknesses, so they must be taken into consideration along with more
reliable indicators.
The overgrowth also causes specific
side-effects in afflicted areas. To name a few, yeast infections create
white-or cream-colored patches inside the mouth, reaching as far as the
soft palate. They cause digestion problems and make even bowel movement
difficult. Afflicted penises have patchy sores near the head or on the
foreskin. Candidiasis is also responsible for discharges from the ear, the
bowels (in the stool) and the genitalia.
Yeast infections can cause
serious, sometimes even fatal, diseases. This is particularly true for
sufferers with weakened or underdeveloped immune systems, diabetes, the
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome (AIDS). However, sufferers can be permanently cured through
immediate and proper diagnosis and medication.
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Article Source: www.ArticleFog.com.
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