Do All Bugs Need Drugs?

Yeast infection Candida Albicans Description of the Problem; It takes very little to get the normally docile Candida Albicans Fungus (Yeast). That lives in a woman’s vagina to turn into a rampant troublemaker. Candida is encouraged by many things--- getting pregnant, using spermicidal cream or birth control pills or taking antibiotics. And if you nick the vagina walls inserting a tampon, that can also trigger this most common form of vaginitus. Even healthy women usually have this yeast on the skin, and in the mouth, digestive tract, and vagina. At times the yeast can grow very quickly. A yeast infection can, while it can occur at almost any time of life, it is most common during the child bearing years. The infection tends to develop most often in women, who are pregnant, diabetic or taking antibiotics or birth control. It also occurs in women who have a low immunity to infections. Yeast infections are not dangerous as a rule, but they can be painful and embarrassing. When they do become dangerous is when the woman has a very low immunity, and the infection becomes septic. (Like blood poisoning). The most common symptoms include a bothersome itch and burning that can become maddening. Often there is a white discharge that resembles cottage cheese, sometimes accompanied by a yeasty or fishy smell. There may be some vaginal soreness, irritation or burning, and a rash or redness around the vagina. If you have consulted a doctor for previous yeast infection and now seem to be getting the same symptoms. You may be able to save the time and expense of a return visit to the Doctor by going to the drugstore and buy a strip of litmus paper or PH paper. Moisten the paper with a small amount of vaginal discharge (the discharge must be wet to react to the paper). If you have a yeast infection, your PH will be between 4 and 4.5 or less). With other types of vaginitus, the PH tends to be a little higher. If the Litmus test confirms your suspicions you may want to try over the counter drugs. How to avoid the Disease Watch your sweet tooth. Sugar can cause chronic yeast infection---which is one reason why women who binge on sweets are particularly prone. “Avoid candy, cakes and pies---anything with refined, white or powdered sugar. If you must indulge your sweet tooth, use brown sugar or honey. Since these take longer to break down in your body, you will lessen the amount of circulating blood sugars, which can trigger yeast infection. Take head of the connection between yeast infection and yeasty foods. Avoid things such as bread, mushrooms and alcoholic beverages. People with chronic yeast infections who avoid these foods for three to six months will often notice a significant improvement. Eat plenty of foods that are high in vitamin C, such as potatoes, citrus fruits and broccoli. Vitamin C helps boost your immunity system, and if your immunity is down, you are a prime candidate for yeast infection. Diabetics with uncontrolled diabetes or people who excrete high amounts of sugar in the urine also are prime candidates for yeast infection, Yeast loves sugar. Tight fitting clothes doesn’t allow for good air circulation in the vaginal area. So stay away from clingy polyester, lycra spandex, leather, and other fabrics that don’t breath. Mother knew best when she wore the lose cotton briefs. Yeast loves it when it is moist, dark and warm. If you must wear tight clothing or lycra, do it for only a few hours---- then change into loose fitting garb made from cotton or other natural fibers. Avoid panty hose when you can because they are too restrictive in the vaginal area. Change wet clothing fast. When lounging in a wet bathing suit you are wearing a perfect environment for yeast to grow. Treatment Of the disease: Conventionally: Perhaps the best weapons for treating Yeast infections are in your laundry room. But you have to use special tactics to conquer Candida Albicans, which can survive regular wash-and-dry cycles. This is some basics. Soak panties in water for 30 minutes or more. After soaking them, scrub the crotch of your panties with unscented detergent before putting them into the washing machine. Make sure those panties are rinsed thoroughly, since residues from soaps and detergents can intensify vaginitus. Studies have shown that heat sensitive Candida die when panties are touched up with a hot iron as well. One other conventional treatment is with over the counter anti-yeast vaginal cream. The creams are available in most pharmacies. Just follow the directions on the package. Avoid bubble baths, scented tampons, colored toilet paper and other products with dyes, perfumes and other chemicals that can irritate vaginal tissue. White toilet paper is best. Sit in a sits bath. Frequent douching should be avoided, since it can be too irritating to those yeast infections. But this is an easy cleansing solution for your vaginal area. Fill the bathtub to hip height with warm water, then add ½ cup of salt (just enough to make the water taste salty). Then add ½ cup of vinegar. Stay in the sits for about 20 minutes. If you like the douche idea, then use 2 cups of water 1 tablespoon of salt, 3 tablespoons of vinegar. Douche with this solution. Give all applicators (either from the douche or cream) a good scrub. If you use and anti yeast cream you are probably reusing the applicator, wash the reusable applicators in hot soapy water. Remember that to truly heal an infection of the vagina or any other part of the reproductive system, remedies must be used that aide and clear the whole body. Douches or other local applications will at best only get rid of the symptoms for awhile. If you are a sexually active woman, then you must also look at your partner. This person may be carrying the infection as well. So if you treat yourself then you may need to treat that person as well. The infection will be transferred back and forth, from partner to partner. Treatment Herb ally An appropriate treatment for vaginal infections involves the use of anti-microbial in association with herbs that clear the lymphatics, usually alteratives. To aide the healing of infected tissue, astringents will usually be indicated, especially in cases with mucus discharge. The whole picture has to be taken into account and the state of general health augmented with the addition of appropriate remedies. Heal with yogurt. Most experts point to yogurt as the natural healer of yeast infections (though it should not be used for other types of vaginitus). This is the conventional and herbal Doctors alike. Yogurts lactobacillus cultures fight the Candida. While some experts recommend inserting the vaginal area, and easier and more accepted way, is to eat at least ½ cup of yogurt containing live cultures each day to prevent and treat infections. Use plain yogurt for inserting vaginally. Homemade is the best for vaginal, and for eating in this instance. Nearly all yogurts do contain live culture. Just as a side note. Plain yogurt is also used on some cancer wards for vaginal cancers. It decreases the infections and the smell. If you don’t like the taste of yogurt you can get a dose of the same helpful bacteria by drinking milk containing live lactobacillus. This type of milk will be identified on the container as cultured milk, acidophilus milk or kefir milk. Some herbs that are used for yeast infections are Pot Marigold Calendula officinalis. It is an anti fungal, and is good for excess yeast in the gut, as in candidiasis. Take it as an infusion or tincture, well diluted in water. Add antimicrobials such as purple cornflower, Nerviness such as lemon balm or anti-inflammatory like elder flower or argimony. Garlic Allium Sativum is another herb that may be used. It is an anti-fungal; it supports recovery of the gut flora. Uses 1 clove a day in cooking, or take 2 -200 mg. capsules a day. This is best used as a simple, o