Introduction:
Yeast infections in females (vaginal candidiasis) are a very common health problem. But fungal infections do not just occur in the vagina; they may also thrive in the mouth, throat, or even penis. Approximately more than 70 to 80 percent of females are affected by this infection once or twice in their lifetime, and 50 percent of females suffer from recurrent yeast infections. Candida overgrowth is the main cause of yeast infections. If present in normal amounts, Candida is not harmful to the body. However, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of yeast infections by following good personal hygiene, a healthy lifestyle, and a nutritious diet.
What Are the Most Common Yeast Infections?
Candida overgrowth is primarily responsible for causing most yeast infections. The three most common yeast infections include:
- Vaginal yeast infection.
- Oral Candidiasis (oral thrush).
- Throat Candidiasis (throat thrush).
What Are the Clinical Symptoms of Yeast Infections?
Symptoms of the Vaginal Yeast Infection:
- Vaginal pain.
- Vaginal itching and redness.
- Burning sensation in the vagina.
- Foul-smelling watery mucus discharge that appears like curd cheese from the vagina.
- Swelling of the vaginal tissues.
- Pain while having sex.
- Pain during micturition (urination).
Symptoms in the Mouth Yeast Infection:
- White patches in the mouth that are scrapable.
- Burning sensation in the mouth.
- Redness in the tongue and mouth.
- Loss of taste.
- Fissures at the corners of the mouth.
What Are the Causes of Yeast Infections?
There can be several causes of yeast infections:
- If the patient is suffering from uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, high quantities of sugar in the host’s body can serve as a favorable medium for yeast overgrowth.
- Patients take medicines like antibiotics that can harm both good and bad bacteria. Also, there are certain medications that can cause a dry mouth. These factors can exacerbate the overgrowth of fungal infection.
- Patients can encounter a yeast infection while having sex with their partners.
- Maintaining poor oral or personal hygiene can also cause the yeast to thrive and cause infection.
- Improper hormonal balance during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause can alter the balance of good bacteria in the vagina and can cause yeast infections.
- Certain immune disorders can cause uncontrolled growth of the fungal infection.
- Douching the vagina or using fragrant vaginal sprays can alter the pH of the vagina, thereby causing yeast infection.
- Elderly people who wear dentures and do not clean their dentures might have an overgrowth of yeast in the mouth due to poor hygiene.
- People who smoke are also prone to oral yeast infections.
- People suffering from AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) can also develop yeast infections due to poor immunity of the body.
What Are the Ways to Prevent Yeast Infections?
Preventing Vaginal Infections:
- One should wear undergarments that are soft and breathable. Cotton undergarments are the best choice since they do not hold back moisture and heat. They will help to keep the vaginal area dry and infection-free.
- It is also important to wear loose clothing such as loose jeans, skirts, undergarments, and tights. If one wears tight clothes, they can increase the chances of yeast infection by retaining moisture around the private parts.
- Avoid vaginal douching. Douches and vaginal sprays can disturb the normal balance of the vagina and exacerbate yeast infections by eliminating good bacteria. Also, it is always preferable to stay away from scented feminine care products like soaps, sprays, tampons, menstrual pads, and bubble baths.
- One should always avoid hot and extra hot bathtubs.
- Change to dry clothing as soon as one gets wet or damp. If a person comes from swimming or after an intense workout session, his or her clothes are likely to become wet or damp. So, it is always advisable to change into dry clothes as soon as possible.
- If on period, it is important to change pads and tampons frequently.
- If wiping the body after a bath, always wipe from front to back.
- Try to keep control of the blood sugar levels.
- One should take probiotics along with the intake of antibiotics to keep the vaginal pH in control.
- One should not do unprotected sex. Wear a condom to avoid any transmission of infection.
- Avoid using dirty toilets or unwashed, stinky bathrooms in public places.
- Good genital hygiene should be maintained by using mild, unscented soap with lukewarm or cool water to wash the vagina.
Preventing Oral Thrush:
- Good oral hygiene habits should be employed to keep yeast infections at bay.
- Dry mouth should be treated to prevent yeast overgrowth and plaque formation.
- Brushing the teeth twice daily should be done regularly.
- Use of dental floss should be done to prevent food particles from clogging.
- Patients using dentures should clean their dentures regularly.
- Visit a dentist on a regular basis for a full dental check-up.
- One should not practice unprotected oral sex. One should wear dental dams while practicing oral sex.
What Diet Should be Preferred to Prevent Yeast Infections?
- One should minimize the intake of sugars in the diet because yeast loves sugar. So, it becomes very important to curb a sugar-rich diet to prevent candida overgrowth.
- One should avoid eating foods like refined white flour and white rice. One should also avoid eating foods that are composed of simple sugars.
- One should eat curd or yogurt to improve the growth of good bacteria in the body.
- A good intake of fresh and juicy fruits along with green leafy vegetables is recommended to prevent yeast infections.
- Low-starch diet should be preferred.
- One should eat probiotics.
- Fermented foods like kombucha, kimchi, and pickles might also help.
- One can also eat supplements containing Lactobacillus.
Conclusion
Yeast infections are very common among individuals who do not maintain good intimate genital or oral hygiene. Preventing yeast infections should be the utmost priority to keep harmful fungal infections at bay. It is very important to identify the causes of yeast infections because once they are identified, it becomes clear to avoid the occurrence of such causes. Maintaining good vaginal and oral hygiene, along with consuming yogurt on a daily basis, helps prevent yeast infections. Certain lifestyle changes as mentioned in the article, will also help prevent yeast infections.
