Candida albicans also known as Candidiasis is one of the most puzzling conditions to medical science that affect millions of women and men worldwide who many times suffer from this condition unaware. The debilitating symptoms of a yeast infection are caused by a fungal overgrowth that fluctuate in severity and occur in many disorders. Although some doctors have prescribed antibiotics for this condition, research studies have found that herbs for yeast infections in most cases outperform pharmaceutical treatments.
One of the problems is that Candida albicans is not foreign to the human body; it is a yeast fungus that normally exists in balance with other micro-organisms. When the growth rate of this fungus accelerates out of control, the results include thrush; infections that appear as white patches on the tongue and in the mouth and throat which make it painful to chew and swallow.
One of the most common causes of adult thrush is the use of antibiotics, which unfortunately not only eliminate harmful bacteria, but also destroy the lactobacilli, that is required by the body to keep the Candida albicans fungus under control. The fungus thrives on the high glucose levels found in saliva, individuals who smoke, wear dentures or have diabetics are at higher risk of developing oral thrush. Women who take oral contraceptives are at risk of vaginal yeast infections, and thrush can also occur during pregnancy. Because of its adaptability, it can easily be transmitted from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. And with its wide spectrum of symptoms, a yeast infection can remain undetected in areas of the body such as the joints and the intestines.
Candida albicans has also been linked to a poor diet; the typical American diet which is high in refined sugar and acidic foods, negatively alters the pH balance in the intestines. Long term stress accelerates the growth of the fungus. Natural remedies for yeast infections work best when combined with proper nutrition.
