A third of couples are having trouble in conceiving. Infertility problems are twice as common now as previously thought. Billions are being spent on fertility treatments but only 47% of women go on to have a baby following expensive and emotionally draining treatment. Its not hard to see why couples are seeking more natural infertility treatments.

Reasons for infertility in women can include conditions such as endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes and polycystic ovaries, conditions that affect the womb and ovaries. Men have problems with quantity, quality and motility of sperm.

Whilst some of the women’s problems can be treated surgically many women are seeking and finding success in more natural approaches to increase fertility.

A holistic practitioner specializing in infertile couples will rule out other factors that can prevent
conception such as viral, bacterial, parasitic and yeast infections, allergies, poor food choices,
underweight or overweight, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, other metabolic problems, extremes of temperature and work and life stresses.

Many factors that cause infertility, miscarriage, complications of labor poor health in the newborn child can often be resolved with a specialized detoxification program.

There are more toxins in our environment today than ever before. They come from many everyday sources. Your drinking water may contain lead, aluminum (aluminium), copper and synthetic estrogen. Outdoor pollution, indoor pollution, radiation, household cleaning products, chemicals in food, chemicals in personal care products, dental amalgams are but a few of the things that place a tremendous burden on your body and deprive it of nutrients.

Resultant deficiencies of zinc, manganese and magnesium are very common amongst couples whose hair is analyzed for mineral deficiencies.

Ideally couples should start detox programs and lifestyle changes a year before they plan to conceive but in practice people rarely plan this far in advance. A minimum of 6 months should be allowed to correct underlying health problems, correct deficiencies and reduce the toxic burden.

As well as affecting your ability to conceive toxic chemicals are passed to your baby during pregnancy and breast feeding. The future health of your child is determined before birth.

Up to 78.4% of couples diagnosed as infertile have healthy babies compared to 22.6% with IVF with a holistic detox program. Specific herbal and nutritional combination blends are available for both men and women seeking alternative infertility treatment and they have been successfully used by couples to improve fertility.

<b>Here are some basic guidelines that will help you detox to improve your fertility: </b>

Avoid the following: 

* All packaged and processed foods including white bread, white flour products.
* Alcohol
* Caffeine
* Street drugs and other drugs unless vital.
* Dairy products unless organic (contain hormones and hormone mimicking chemicals)
* Wheat
* Chocolate and cocoa
* Condiments (i.e. ketchup, relish, barbecue sauce, soy sauce)
* Trans and hydrogenated fats such as those found in shortening, margarine, and processed oils
* Peanuts (often contain moulds and toxins)
* Processed meats
* Salt, in excess
* Shellfish
* Soft drinks ( usually full of refined sugar and additives)
* Sweeteners: refined sugar/white sugar, brown sugar, fructose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, maple syrup.
* Feminine hygiene products
* Excessive use of hot tubs for men
* Tight underwear, cycle shorts, swimwear.
* Toxic chemicals including household cleaning products and sprays.
* Lubricants or douches that your partner may be using.

But do these:

* Start each day with a cup of boiled water and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
* Drink at least 8 x 8 oz glasses of filtered water a day.
* Replace fatty foods with lean organic or free range proteins, and eat these with every meal.
* Increase fresh fruit and vegetables and fresh vegetable juices
* Have regular meals to keep energy stable.
* Eat last meal by 8 pm to allow to fully digest before bed.
* Use cold pressed sunflower, safflower, hemp or flax-seed oil on salads and vegetables but do not heat. Use only olive oil or butter for cooking
* Eat live organic yogurt at least 3 times a week.
* Get some light exercise away from traffic and polluted areas every day.
* Try to get a good night’s sleep.
* Get a hair mineral analysis done at a reputable lab and be guided by a nutritionist or doctor with an interest in nutrition for a corrective supplement program.
* Alternatively take a good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc and vitamin C.
* Men may need to take additional supplements such as Lycopene 6.5 mg per day, Arginine 4 grams a day, Vitamin E 100-200 IU a day to improve sperm counts.

It is known that the body has remarkable healing powers given the right conditions. Improving nutrition with some positive lifestyle changes have worked wonders for some couples who have chosen alternative infertility treatment.

Sandy Halliday
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/detox-a-natural-solution-for-infertility-319031.html

Although male yeast infection isn’t all that common it can happen and in these cases the infection symptoms are generally the same as vaginal yeast infection.

There’ll be the same burning sensation when urinating, pain during sexual intercourse, itching of the infected area and in some cases a rash. This rash can either be along the shaft of the penis or on the tip of the penis. Male symptoms also include a burning sensation of the infected area, a slight swelling, and maybe even slight discharge.

If you suspect that you might have male yeast infection you should consult with your doctor. You could try to use the same over the counter medications which are available for vaginal yeast infections, but you might feel comfortable doing that.

There is nothing to say however that you can’t use any of the creams or solutions which are used in the treatment of vaginal yeast infections. In fact, in the case of someone having male yeast infection they can even turn to such natural remedies as yogurt to help rid themselves of the infection.

The only problem with male yeast infection symptoms is that unlike for vaginal yeast infections there is no one particular treatment that is designed to treat you. There is also for that matter no one particular test that can be done on a regular basis to decide whether you might have a yeast infection.

There’s also the fact you should take into account, that just because you suffer from male yeast infection, it doesn’t mean that you have an infection. You can get yourself tested to rule out other causes, and doctors can test you to see if you have a yeast infection.

If you suspect that you might have male yeast infection you should try as far as possible to avoid sexual intercourse as you can pass the infection along to your partner. On the other hand if you got your infection from your partner, then it’s still a good idea to abstain as you could pass the infection back and forth between you.

Also if you have yeast infection symptoms there are things that you can do by yourself at home to give you some relief until the medications start to work. The first order of the day is to wear loose fitting clothing.

That means that tight jeans are out. If you go swimming, find a way to change out of your bathing costume as soon as possible. Change your diet to exclude red meats, alcohol, and yeast containing or fermented products.

Try as far as possible to stay stress free as being under constant stress can put a strain on your immune system. And lastly if you feel that you have male yeast infection symptoms don’t be ashamed to seek help.

Graham Winmill
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/male-yeast-infection-symptoms-112526.html

Google surely knows how to succeed. For the first time shares break the $600 mark and increase by 17% in only one month.

A growing source of revenue are its various advertising channels. In a previous article “Google reveals advertising strategy for YouTube’ we revealed that Google has elaborated a new online marketing strategy where small half transparent adverts are incorporated in a selection of video clips on YouTube.

Google decided to expand its lucrative Adsense platform to video content by allowing advertisers to insert clips from YouTube videos into their promotional messages.

How it works?

A banner ad will appear across the top of the video player or as a link at the bottom when internet user click on the video. A succession of text ads will be also visible when users watch the video. These text ads will change at a rate of about 1 every 10 seconds at the bottom of the page and will seize a fifth of the video player screen. Advertisers will be charged on a cost-per-click or cost-per-impression basis. The advertising revenue will be shared with the video producer and the web publisher.

This program is a win-win relationship according to Google. Currently this new program is only available to a selected group of YouTube video providers. Mondo Media or Expert village have signed consent forms to provide/generate video content. Video Adsense is only available on YouTube US.

Anja Glauch
http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/youtube-videos-on-google-ads-232724.html

If you would like to know how to get rid of a UTI, there are many home remedies which you can use. Indeed, treating a UTI naturally is becoming known to be a very effective and fast way of eradicating this painful condition.

Most people now accept that treating all manner of conditions naturally is often better than using antibiotics or over the counter remedies which can be very expensive and often not very effective. Antibiotics work by killing off all types of bacteria and cannot distinguish between the beneficial types and the bad types which can cause infection-both of which are naturally present within the human body. This means that the natural balance of the body can be upset. This can cause other conditions such as yeast infections and digestive problems as a direct result of taking antibiotics. In addition as we as a population become more and more reliant on antibiotics, doctors are finding that they are needing to prescribe stronger antibiotics as diseases are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.

Many alternative practitioners are now advocating ways of treating UTI naturally and many give advice on how to get rid of a UTI. These methods are often common sense approaches but nevertheless can help to give some symptomatic relief and can even help to cure milder infections.

* Drink plenty of water-around 6-8 glasses daily is ideal

* Try 2 glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice daily

* Place a heated pad or hot water bottle on the abdomen

* Avoid drinking tea, coffee or alcohol

* Wear only cotton panties

* Do not wear tight trousers or pantyhose

* Avoid using perfumed products around the vaginal area

* Take a daily vitamin C tablet to help strengthen the immune system

* Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables

* Try eating a pot of live natural yogurt daily

* Avoid products with a high sugar content as sugar can fuel the growth of bacteria

If you would like to see how to get rid of a UTI naturally, without using antibiotics, there is a completely natural method which is guaranteed to get rid of the symptoms of a UTI very quickly. The pain will begin to go within a few short minutes and in most cases, you will be completely pain free by the next day. This system of treating UTI naturally works by strengthening, enhancing and supporting the body’s own ability to heal but at the same time, uses a highly effective natural ingredient which targets the infection like a laser. This method is completely safe for children, adults and can also be used with confidence by pregnant women and the elderly. It is also safe for people who are taking other medication. If you are ready to find out how to get rid of a UTI without using antibiotics, check out this informative site where you can immediately download the cure.

Rebecca Hopkinson
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/how-to-get-rid-of-a-uti-treating-uti-naturally-702111.html

In this article I’ll be exploring the use of garlic for health. Nicknamed the ‘stinking rose’, this auspicious herb has been revered throughout history as a cure and natural treatment for all manor of conditions. These include mosquito bites, wounds, heart disease, measles, tumors, snake bites, acne, colds, flu and even vampires!

Garlic’s health benefits are substantiated by a wealth of modern day research that confirms its anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is also a powerful antioxidant and immune booster with anti-inflammatroy properties. Scientific studies reveal benefits for diabetes, cancer and heart disease. It’s heart health traits include lowering bad cholesterol and blood pressure, aiding circulation and preventing against stroke.

Garlic’s might is largely due to the sulfur compounds it contains, such as allicin. Garlic also houses vitamin C, B6, selenium, magnesium, potassium, calcium and manganese and flavonoids.

The sulphur compound allicin provides not only many of the notable benefits of garlic, but also its notorious odour. Allicin is formed during the chemistry of chopping, crushing and chewing garlic, the more thorough the milling, the more allicin is created. Allicin has antibiotic, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties, and the reason why garlic has been used for skin infections such as Athletes’s foot, herpes and warts, digestive and lung infections such as diarrhea, coughs and colds, and Candida yeast and other microbes.

Allicin begins to degrade once produced and on cooking, so eating garlic raw and soon after chopping ensures the assimilation of optimum levels of this compound.

Garlic also contains diallyl sulphides, which, whilst not anti-fungal like allicin, are reportedly good for the blood and circulation, lowering bad cholesterol and boosting the immune system.

Rats that were put on a diet featuring both allicin and diallyl sulphides had a substantial increase in their levels of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione-S-transferase. This mighty enzyme produced within the body is incredibly important in helping to rid the body of toxins, drugs and carcinogens. Increasing levels of this and other phase II enzymes may be one way garlic helps to prevent against cancer, enhancing the elimination of potential carcinogens from the body. This also makes garlic great for a natural body detox.

Garlic as Anti-Inflammatory

The sulfur compounds in garlic have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activity of inflammatory enzymes. Along with vitamin C this can make garlic a protection against the pain associated with arthritis and asthma attacks.

Garlic for the Heart

garlic is renowned for its abilities to lower cholesterol and blood pressure naturally and protect against heart disease and stroke. Garlic has also been found to stimulate the production of nitric oxide in blood vessels aiding their dilation, and assist the body’s ability to dissolve blood clots (fibrinolyisis).

The antioxidant properties of garlic can also protect against cardiovascular disease by inhibiting the oxidation of bad cholesterol which would otherwise build up in artery walls. Further, folate in garlic is known to protect the cardiovascular system.

Garlic for Cancer Prevention

Population studies have revealed that eating garlic regularly, along with other alliums such as onions chives and scallions, reduces the risk of oesophageal, colon and stomach cancer. This may be due to garlic’s ability to reduce the formation of carcinogenic compounds. Garlic’s sulfur compounds such as allicin and ajeone have been found to stop the growth of various cancers in animal laboratory studies, including skin, stomach, colon, breast and oral cancer. Garlic also contains the powerful antioxidant mineral selenium, known for its anti-cancer properties.

Garlic for Diabetes

Some of the damage that can result from the degenerative effects of diabetes such as diseases of the kidney, retina and nervous system, may be deterred by garlic. Rats that were given a drug that would induce similar diabetic-effects in the body, namely an increase in blood sugar, cholesterol and damaged fats and a reduction in the body’s antioxidants, experienced fewer negative effects from the drug and an increase in antioxidant levels when given a daily dose of garlic oil.

Research then, has indicated garlic health benefits against bacteria, fungi and viruses, inflammation (as with arthritis), cancer, diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol levels.

Garlic – Natural Cure for Common Ailments

Garlic is an all round disease-preventive, and can be used as a natural treatment cure for common ailments such as acne, colds and flu, herpes and wrinkles due to its natural antioxidant and anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Crush a clove or two of garlic into warm water and drink twice a day though be careful on an empty stomach if you are sensitive to garlic. This also serves as a natural body detox. If your skin is not over sensitive to garlic it can also be applied directly to acne spots or herpes. I find it very effective as a cure for oral herpes (cold-sores). If you have high cholesterol level, use garlic regularly in you’re your food as this will lower your cholesterol level naturally.(obviously along with avoiding a high cholesterol diet).

To summarise…

Garlic Benefits

• Garlic boosts your immune system.

• Garlic is anti-aging, its antioxidant power neutralizing free radicals that procure aging and disease.

• Garlic helps reduce plaque build up (atherosclerotic heart disease).

• Garlic thins the blood and helps to prevent blood clots (fibrinolyisis) hence reducing the risk of strokes.

• Garlic helps to prevent cancer, particularly of the digestive system, and reduces the size and arrests the growth of certain tumors.

• Garlic lowers and regulates blood sugar levels.

• Garlic helps to remove heavy metals such as lead and mercury from the body – natural body detoxification.

• Garlic is anti-inflammatory.

• Garlic (raw, containing allicin) is a natural antibiotic and can kill even drug resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA as well as Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium known to cause stomach ulcers and implicated in stomach cancer.

• Garlic is anti-fungal and reduces yeast infections in body parts.

Sylvia Riley
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/garlic-health-the-amazing-benefits-of-garlic-54904.html

Yeast Infection During Pregnancy

During pregnancy women can experience a host of side effects, from swollen feet and hands, to stretch marks and lack of sleep. Despite these, probably one of the most uncomfortable is a vaginal yeast infection. There is a great deal of anecdotal evidence that when you are pregnant you are more susceptible to a yeast infection/Candida overgrowth than when not expecting.

The theory is as Candida reacts so well to estrogen and during pregnancy there is such an increase in estrogen it can provide an ideal environment for Candida to run amok.

Whatever the reason, and pregnant or not, yeast infections while generally not considered terminal, can certainly have an impact on the quality of your life.

Yeast Infection Signs and Symptoms During Pregnancy

There are quite a few indications of yeast infection when you are pregnant, hopefully you do not get them all.

-Burning and itching on the skin in and around the vagina
-Whitish discharge that can resemble cottage cheese and may or may not have an odor
-Painful sex, or sometime intermittent pain in the lower abdomen
-Irritation or burning feeling when urinating.

Yeast Infection Treatments During Pregnancy

Now this is where you have to be careful, a lot of drugs are not recommended for use during pregnancy. As well it is it’s very important to make sure of the correct diagnosis before treatment while pregnant.

There are a few common problems that are similar to yeast infection, such as a bacterial infection, that can produce copious amounts of discharge similar to a what yeast infection can do, but the treatments are completely different.

Generally speaking yeast infections while pregnant require a little more time to cure than if you are not pregnant. Quite often a health care provider will recommend an OTC antifungal, but we prefer the natural route.

One thing we must stress is do not use boric acid if you are pregnant, multiple articles on the internet that say you can use it and also an equal number of articles that say don’t use it. It is very toxic, and there are other compounds out there that would work as well, you wouldn’t want to put something like that near your baby, even though it isn’t likely to get through all the protection Mother Nature provides.

So as baby is going to be facing the toxic world sooner rather than later lets lessen his or her exposure to chemicals until the last possible moment, and go with an all natural cure for yeast infection during pregnancy.

Bren Fisher
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-health-articles/yeast-infection-and-pregnanacy-671512.html

There are many species of Candida to be found in the human body and the most common of all of these is Candida Albicans. Even though the chance of a having candida yeast infections is always present, as it is believed that the large majority of people have the candida yeast in their digestive tract, it is only under certain conditions that the risk of infection increases.

Candida Albicans can normally live quite happily in the body most of the time, causing no health issues. However, under certain conditions it can grow and cause numerous symptoms and complications.

Candida Albicans tend to prefer to the warm moist areas of the body, including in he gastrointestinal tract, the vagina, armpits, oral cavity and folds in the skin, and so these are the areas that the infection tends to hit first and where symptoms can be spotted for early diagnosis.

There are a number of triggers that cause the Candida yeast to overgrow and cause an infection, and some of the most common ones are as follows: -

1. A candida overgrowth can be caused if someone has to take prescribed drugs such as antibiotics or steroids a prolonged length of time, maybe because they are suffering from a reoccurring illness.

2. Infection can occur to people who abuse drugs (prescribed or non prescribed) or alcohol.

3. Also, if a person’s immune system has become weakened through a condition that effects the immune functions of the body they can be more susceptible to candida infections.

There are some statistics that suggest that around 15% of all people who suffer from a weakened immune system are likely to contract some form of Candida yeast infections at some time during their illness.

If left untreated it can allow the Candida yeast infection to cause problems throughout the body and be potentially life threatening, especially if candidia albicans spores get into the bloodstream and infect the brain, eyes, kidneys and heart.

4. Excessive use of devices that are implanted in to the skin such as urinary catheters, IV ports or needles can allow extra Candida yeast to gain access to the body through the bloodstream.

5. Plus the candida can actually enter a person’s bloodstream if they happen to have cuts in their skin or the mucous membrane.

The best and most natural way that the body can keep the risk of an infection to a minimum is to ensure that the levels of good bacteria (probiotics) in the GI tract are maintained at a healthy level, and to ensure that the immune system is working well.

These steps, along with keeping stress levels to the minimum and having a healthy diet, with minimal sugar, yeast products and keeping the amount of processed foods to the minimum, give someone a good chance of keeping themselves infection free.

Also, it is common sense to maintain a good level of personal hygiene.

Continue reading to find out more about how you can get a free copy of our candida relief newsletter. In it you will discover simple all-natural methods for relieving candida symptoms.

One of the simplest ways to combat the risk of Candida yeast infections is to have a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Jane Symms
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-causes-candida-yeast-infections-136631.html

If you are like me, when you get a yeast infection you just want it GONE. And by gone, I mean like yesterday. So to accomplish that you want the best and quickest yeast infection remedy there is. Do you by any chance know what any of those yeast infection remedies are? Well I do and fortunately for you, I was taught to always share.

Before I go on to the list of any type of yeast infection remedy, it might be good to let you know why they actually come about. When you get a yeast infection it is most likely because of one of two things. First is too much moisture and too much moisture in a warm area is a breeding ground for yeast. To avoid a yeast infection from this type of yeast infection is to always try to wear panties that are made of natural fibers (or at least a crotch of natural fibers). The second most likely culprit is that your body has a low amount of acidophilus which is needed to fight the yeast and so without it to fight off the yeast; the yeast takes over and makes your life miserable for the duration of its stay. Talk about an unwanted guest.

So how do you go about replenishing the bodies natural acidophilus? My answer is one that might really surprise you but it’s yogurt. Yogurt? Yep, yogurt. Know why? It’s because yogurt actually contains acidophilus and so by using it you are giving yourself a boost in the most natural way you can. Keep in mind though that I’m talking about regular, unsweetened and unflavored yogurt. If you go trying to use the stuff with fruit and flavors your hoo-ha might end up smelling like a fruit salad and possibly even do more harm than good. So for this treatment just get the plain Jane stuff and douche with it. It’s a little messy and all but well worth it. It’s cheap, natural and works just as good. One thing to think about though is if you have some type of dairy allergy. If you do, please don’t try this yeast infection remedy because I don’t want hate mail telling me how stupid I am and horror stories involving swollen or hive covered anything.

If you do have some dairy allergies and can’t use yogurt as a yeast infection remedy, then another natural yeast infection cure that I recommend is apple cider vinegar. I know that it doesn’t smell great and is quite frankly not what you would imagine but there are even books written on the wonders of apple cider vinegar with a yeast infection remedy being one of those. To use this yeast infection remedy you simply add one cup of apple cider vinegar to a shallow tub of water and soak in the tub for about twenty minutes. I don’t know about you but I’m always looking for an excuse to soak in the tub and this is one that my husband wouldn’t mind as he’s not allowed near me when I have a yeast infection so he’s game for any type of yeast infection remedy. You can also douche with apple cider vinegar but don’t get carried away as too much of a good thing is not always good and this is one of those times.

Now if you are one that thinks any type of home yeast infection remedy is a crock then you can take yourself to any pharmacy section of any store and buy whichever of the over the counter yeast infection treatments that you like. There are dozens of medical treatments for yeast infections ranging from three to seven days and come in a cream or suppository form. As with most any yeast infection remedy, it would be a good idea to wear some type of pad or pantyliner to keep the mess to a minimum. That’s just good thinking.

Elizabeth Sutton
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-health-articles/yeast-infection-remedy-3-proven-natural-yeast-infection-remedies-564340.html

If you are currently using a self prescribed treatment for your acne condition then the truth is that you may be doing more harm then good. That is correct. What you are doing to your skin to rid yourself of your acne may in fact be exacerbating your condition.

Acne and Skin Cleanliness

For instance, did you know that clinical studies have shown that acne sufferers tend to have far cleaner more  germ free skin then people who are not suffering from acne? The reason is simple and that is that people with acne tend to wash their skin far more frequently with far more powerful cleaning agents.

Be Nice to Your Skin

Face the facts. Its not what is going on on surface of your skin that is causing your acne its whats going on beneath the surface. This of course doesn’t mean that you should stop washing your skin all together. It just means that you may be washing it too frequently with the wrong type of soap.

Check Your Eating Habits

Also, unless you are willing to take an accurate and realistic account of your eating habits, you may have to lower your expectations with regards to the results of your efforts to eradicate your acne. Whats the use of buying even the most expensive and proven effective acne treatment products, if you are stuffing food into your mouth that may be causing or contributing to your acne condition.

The Best Treatment for You

The fact, is that you have an acne condition not because you caught a germ or a virus but because you are predisposed to having an acne condition. It’s your skin type and body chemistry that is the problem and you need to deal with your acne condition from that perspective.  There is no cure for acne but there are a good number of effective treatments and you need to find the one that works best for you.

Jake Sawteen
http://www.articlesbase.com/acne-articles/great-low-cost-common-sense-acne-treatments-685649.html

Candida albicans yeast is a tiny fungus that can cause the common symptoms of a yeast infection. These infections can show up anywhere on the body, including the vagina, the mouth, male genitals, under the breasts and in the armpits, and even under your nails. Many diaper rashes are also caused by yeast.

People with compromised immune systems, like AIDS patients and chemotherapy patients, can also get yeast infections that attack the blood cells and internal organs, including the brain. These patients must be treated very aggressively to get rid of the yeast, because a yeast infection can be fatal for these patients.

For most of us, a yeast infection is a bothersome, irritating, itchy condition that soon goes away. Sometimes it even goes away by itself, without any treatment at all. When the infection is more severe, but still manageable, home remedies such as yogurt or honey may alleviate the symptoms.

And when mild natural remedies fail, non-prescription medications are available in the drugstore for vaginal yeast infections, and your doctor can give you a prescription for oral thrush, skin infections, and male yeast infections.

Vaginal yeast infections are the most common. Most women will experience at least one infection during their lifetime. Unfortunately, many women get chronic infections because so many things can trigger the yeast to become infectious.

The symptoms of vaginal yeast infections are “nonspecific.” This means that it is not possible to use the symptoms alone to make a diagnosis, because all these symptoms can also be caused by other organisms.

The most common symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection (yeast vaginitis) are:

• Itching and burning in the vagina and vulva.

• Soreness, swelling and pain around the vulva.

• Pain during intercourse or urination.

• Vaginal discharge. This discharge is not always present, but if there is a discharge it will be odorless or smell like baker’s yeast, and usually has a whitish, thick appearance.

It seems as though these symptoms are pretty obvious, so many women self-diagnose their own infections and either use natural remedies or purchase antifungal medication at their drugstore.

Unfortunately, studies have shown that as much as two-thirds of the non-prescription medications for yeast infections are being used by women who don’t have yeast infections. Most of the symptoms can also be caused by bacteria and parasites, which must be treated by a doctor.

A male yeast infection is caused by the same organism that causes vaginal yeast infections in women, oral thrush, and diaper rash – Candida albicans.

Skin infections, including male yeast infections, look red and flat, with sharp scalloped edges. You may see small pustules around the edges of the rash, the area may itch or burn, and it may be painful. There are usually smaller patches nearby. A rash around the anus may be white or red, and will itch.

While the infection is occasionally shared among sexual partners, it is not considered a sexually transmitted disease.

A yeast infection in the mouth of infants and adults is called “thrush.” It appears as thick white lacy patches that can form anywhere inside the mouth, including the tongue or palate. If the white patches are scraped away, the area underneath will be red and may bleed. Occasionally, an oral yeast infection can cause the tongue to be red without a white coating.

Many different things can trigger a yeast infection, including antibiotics, a change in the natural hormone cycle, birth control pills, too much sugar in the diet, and many more.

Some chronic yeast infections can be symptoms of a serious underlying illness that has affected the endocrine system or the immune system. Anyone who has chronic yeast infections that are not caused by any of the “usual suspects” should ask their doctor for a complete checkup to rule out the possibility of a serious illness.

Jonni Good
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-is-a-yeast-infection-98127.html