10 Ways To Prevent Yeast Infections
If you’re like 75% of women, you’ll get at least one yeast infection during your lifetime. Half will get two or more. These things raise your chances of getting one: Douches or vaginal sprays It may not be possible to prevent yeast infections for all women. But there are certain things you can do to lower your risk. Wear breathable underwear. Cotton is your best choice. It doesn’t hold onto heat or moisture. It will help keep you dry. Keep things loose. Make sure your jeans, skirts, underwear, yoga pants, tights, pantyhose, etc. aren’t too snug. They can boost your body temperature and increase the amount of moisture around your private parts. That raises your chances for a yeast infection. Don’t douche. “Feminine hygiene products” like douches can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your vagina by removing some of the good bacteria that’s supposed to be there to fight off infections. Don’t use scented feminine products. This includes bubble baths, soaps, sprays, tampons, and pads. Avoid using hot tubs or taking extra hot baths. Hot and damp are never your friends. Change out of wet clothes. Avoid sitting in a wet bathing suit after you go swimming or damp workout gear after the gym. Change into dry clothes right away. In the ba throom, always wipe from front to back. When on your period, be sure to change your tampons, pads, and panty liners often. Manage your diabetes . If you have diabetes, be sure to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels and keep them under control. Use antibiotics only when you have to. You don’t need antibiotics for certain conditions like a cold, and they don’t do anything against a virus. Avoid using them when you don’t need to. Continue reading >>
How Can We Prevent My Mom, Who Has Type 2 Diabetes, From Constantly Getting Yeast Infections And Cystitis?
A fellow caregiver asked... Along with her diabetes my mother has recurrent bladder and vaginal infections. How can we put an end to them? Expert Answers First try helping her get her blood sugar levels in her target range. Uncontrolled diabetes is a notorious contributing factor to frequent vaginal and bladder infections. How is your mom's A1C (the lab test that shows a three-month blood sugar average)? An A1C of less than 7 percent means she has good control. But if her A1C results are above 7 percent then she needs help getting her diabetes under control. So find out her A1C results to determine if her repeated infections are due to sustained high levels of glucose, which is the perfect set-up for bacteria and yeast to thrive and resist treatment. Surges in glucose levels increase the risk for infection. The vagina is prone to yeast infections, especially after a course of antibiotics. (If she needs antibiotics, suggest she eat yogurt to prevent this problem.) Other triggering factors are wearing tight, constricting clothing such as underwear or jeans and sex. It's important to address all of these issues and it may be delicate to bring them up with your mom. If you're not comfortable doing so, ask her diabetes educator or doctor to have a conversation with her about it. Cystitis, an infection or inflammation of the bladder, is caused by bacteria entering this otherwise sterile environment. If your mom has had uncontrolled diabetes for many years, she may have decreased nerve function in the bladder. This means her bladder might not empty like it normally would, a condition known as neurogenic bladder, making her more susceptible to repeated urinary tract infections. What can she do to remedy this situation aside from gaining control of her glucose levels as quickly Continue reading >>
Another Yeast Infection?
Jewels Doskicz is a registered nurse, freelance writer, patient advocate, health coach, and long-distance cyclist. Jewels is the moderator of Diabetic Connect’s weekly #DCDE Twitter chat, and she and her daughter both live healthfully with type 1 diabetes. I’ve never met anyone that likes to talk about problems they’re experiencing below the waist—except for maybe comedienne Amy Schumer. And yeast infections in particular are uncomfortable, embarrassing, and downright frustrating to treat. Seventy-five percent of women with diabetes will experience a yeast infection in their lifetime, while up to 45 percent will experience recurrent (or more than one) yeast infection. That amounts to a large subset of women who are plagued, at times, by a single or perhaps unrelenting yeast infection. “Diabetes is a proven predisposing factor,” often resulting in an imbalance in the micro-system within the vagina. And research indicates that high blood sugars are to blame for this irritating issue. Yeast, unfortunately thrives in a sugary environment. That may boil down to a fungal infection when blood sugars are elevated, because extra glucose is also found in genital tissues—it’s not just found in your finger sticks. Signs and symptoms of a yeast infection 1. Itching, burning, and inflammation of your Southern parts. 2. Thick, white, odorless vaginal discharge. Been prescribed antibiotics lately? It doesn’t take diabetes to get a yeast infection while taking antibiotics, but it complicates the picture. If an illness requires antibiotics, blood sugars are typically elevated to begin with due to the infection, which makes us more susceptible to a yeast infection. Keep your eyes out and consider a preventive therapy as well, such as eating more yogurt. Not everyone will Continue reading >>
Chronic Yeast Infections: 11 Common Causes & Solutions
I t’s enough to drive you mad, that recurring, chronic yeast infection, with its annoying symptoms. Some people may be susceptible to frequent yeast infections but there are steps you can take to prevent them – if you know what triggers them... You’re doing your best to prevent chronic yeast infections, wearing cotton panties and changing out of your swimsuit as soon as you get home from the beach. But there it is again — the maddening itch that signals another vaginal yeast infection. If you have 4 or more vaginal yeast infections a year, you have a chronic yeast infection problem, says Erin Nelson, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the School of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. About 5% to 8% percent of women fall into this category, she says. Chronic yeast infections can be frustrating for patients and doctors, says Linda Masini, a nurse practitioner at Advocate Medical Group in Chicago. “Patients keep calling and saying, ‘My treatment isn’t working,’” she says. Why do yeast infections keep coming back, no matter what you do? According to experts, it might be a cause you’d never suspect. Read on for common triggers of chronic vaginal yeast infections… 1. Your DNA might be working against you. Two genetic mutations might make some women more susceptible to Candida albicans, the fungus most responsible for chronic vaginal yeast infections, according to a 2011 French study conducted by the National Institutes of Health and Medical Research and the University Paris Descartes. A healthy immune system will recognize excess Candida growth and launch a defense — but immune systems in women with these genetic defects can’t create key proteins to make that defense possible. The genetic lin Continue reading >>
Vaginal Yeast Infections In Diabetic Women.
Abstract Two hundred and three diabetic women (89 with and 114 without genital symptoms) were examined for the presence of yeasts and Trichomonas vaginalis. Yeasts were isolated from the vaginas of 35.5% of patients and were more common in the symptomatic group (48.0%) than the asymptomatic group (25.4%; P < 0.05). Candida albicans was isolated from 12.8% of all patients and showed a significant association with pruritus vulvae (P < 0.05). A significant association was also shown between the presence of yeasts in the rectum and in the vagina. C. glabrata (Torulopsis glabrata) was the commonest yeast species isolated (50.0%), with C. albicans the next most frequent (36.1%). T. vaginalis infection was present in 14.3% of all subjects. Continue reading >>
Diabetes
The Facts Diabetes is a condition where people don't produce enough insulin to meet their body's needs and/or their cells don't respond properly to insulin. Insulin is important because it moves glucose, a simple sugar, into the body's cells from the blood. It also has a number of other effects on metabolism. The food that people eat provides the body with glucose, which is used by the cells as a source of energy. If insulin isn't available or doesn't work correctly to move glucose from the blood into cells, glucose will stay in the blood. High blood glucose levels are toxic, and cells that don't get glucose are lacking the fuel they need. There are two main kinds of diabetes: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. More than 90% of all people with diabetes have type 2. A 2015 Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) report estimated that about 3.4 million Canadians have diabetes. Only about two-thirds of people with type 2 diabetes are aware of it and are receiving treatment because, for many people, early symptoms are not noticeable without testing. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas cannot make insulin. Everyone with type 1 diabetes requires insulin injections. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body does not use insulin properly. It usually occurs in adults, although in some cases children may be affected. People with type 2 diabetes usually have a family history of this condition and are most often overweight. People with type 2 diabetes may eventually need insulin injections. This condition occurs most commonly in people of First Nations descent, Hispanics, and North Americans of African descent. Another less common form is gestational diabetes, a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy. According to the CDA, depend Continue reading >>
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Yeast Infections And Diabetes
People with diabetes whose blood sugar is not well controlled are at higher risk of developing infections because the body is less able to defend itself against germs. These includes yeast and fungal infections. Causes In addition to diabetes, you could be more susceptible to these kinds of infection if: You take oral contraceptives You are pregnant You take antibiotics You have a new sexual partner You have sex more than once a day Symptoms for women Itchiness in the external genitals More abundant, thicker, yellowish-white vaginal discharge Pain while urinating and during sex Redness of the vulva Symptoms for men Redness on the end of the penis Itchiness of the genitals Red patches on the head of the penis (glans) If you have one or more of these symptoms, it is important to consult your doctor or talk to your pharmacist. If a medication is prescribed, be sure to take it to the end of the treatment period even if the symptoms disappear earlier. Prevention As for all types of infection in person with diabetes, it is crucial to properly control your blood glucose (sugar) levels. Wash your hands often. Wash your genitals every day and dry the genital area thoroughly after swimming, showering or bathing. Quit smoking if you are a smoker. Treatment There are effective non-prescription treatments for yeast infections, in the form of tablets and creams. In addition to taking these medications, improving your blood sugar control is essential for ridding yourself of this kind of infection. It is important to follow the treatment to the end even if the symptoms disappear earlier. During treatment, wear natural fibres, avoid vaginal douching and use condoms during sex. Research and text: Diabetes Québec Team of Health Care Professionals Scientific review: Serge Goulet, Family P Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Yeast Infections: What You Need To Know
Yeast lives naturally in our bodies. However, if it begins to overgrow and become a yeast infection, it may cause problems. Yeast can be found in the skin and near mucous membranes and helps to keep neighboring bacteria in check. A buildup of yeast is called a yeast infection and can cause pain, itchiness, and discomfort. In this article, we explore the causes, symptoms, and possible treatments for yeast infections. Contents of this article: Overview Yeast thrives in warm moist areas so yeast infections can occur in several places: the mouth the genitals beneath the breasts under folds of skin Out of these, vaginal yeast infections are the most common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 75 percent of women will have had a vaginal yeast infection at least once in their lives. How diabetes and yeast infections are linked People with poorly-controlled diabetes are at a higher risk of more severe and frequent yeast infections. Researchers are still trying to understand completely how diabetes is linked to yeast overgrowth. However, there is evidence of several possibilities: Extra sugars in yeast-friendly areas When blood glucose levels are high, extra sugars may be secreted in: mucus sweat urine As yeast feeds on sugar, these secretions are the most obvious culprits for overgrowth. Increased levels of glycogen, a polysaccharide used to store glucose, also occur with diabetes. Extra glycogen in the vaginal area can lead to a decrease in pH, which aids yeast growth. A study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology provides evidence for this, using female diabetic rats. Compromised immune system Poorly-controlled diabetes has been shown to hinder the immune response. This could be part of the reason why someone with diabetes might h Continue reading >>
Type 2 Diabetes And Yeast Infections
A vaginal yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, is a condition that causes itching and irritation around the vagina, a thick white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese, and burning when using the bathroom or having sex. Although many women experience yeast infections, women with type 2 diabetes are at a greater risk, especially if their blood sugar levels are higher than normal. Blood Sugar and Yeast Infections Most women have yeast organisms as part of their normal flora, the tiny microorganisms that live on and inside our bodies. These microorganisms don’t cause any discomfort or symptoms because they're limited in number. But when there's overgrowth, their presence becomes a problem. “No one knows exactly why yeast infections are more common [in women with type 2 diabetes], but there is a definite association with how well a person's diabetes is controlled," says Vincent Woo, MD, endocrinologist at the University of Manitoba Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Canada. An increased level of blood sugar from diabetes affects the entire body, not just the blood. “Elevated blood sugar appears in the mucus of the vagina and vulva, so they serve as an excellent culture medium for yeast,” says Daniel Einhorn, MD, a former president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and medical director of the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute in San Diego. Yeast gets energy from sugar, so in an environment that is moist with sugar, yeast may overgrow. Diabetes and the Ability to Fight Yeast Infections The effects of diabetes on the body become more obvious as time goes on. People who don’t keep good control of their blood sugar may develop complications related to the constantly high levels. One such complication is a difficulty in fighti Continue reading >>
Chronic Yeast Infections?
Dear Alice, I have chronic yeast infections. My doctor basically said that I have a pH imbalance and to stock up on Mycelex or similar creams. This answer, to me, is unsatisfactory. There must be something I can do to keep my pH level in balance, or at least on the acidic side. Do lactobacillus and acidophilus tablets keep the vagina more acidic to prevent a yeast infection? Dear Reader, While yeast infections are very common (three out of four women get one at some point), it sounds like there is more to this problem than meets the eye. Yeast infections are often treated effectively with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, but it is important that you see your healthcare provider to ensure that the cause of your vaginal discomfort is in fact a yeast infection. Several diseases and infections appear to be yeast infections, but are not. Using yeast infection medication when you don't have a yeast infection may create new problems. Having your health care provider diagnose your symptoms each time can be helpful in figuring out an appropriate treatment. Did your health care provider say your yeast infections are "chronic," or did s/he use another term, such as "recurrent?" The distinction between chronic and recurrent is subtle, but it's good to point out. Chronic means that a disease or condition will be present most, or all, of the time for a very long period of time, possibly for the rest of your life. Chronic yeast infections are usually indicative of a more serious health problem, such as a lowered immune response or diabetes. If you do have chronic yeast infections, you may want to have a complete medical checkup, including testing for all sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. This may help determine what, if any, systemic problem is causing these yeast inf Continue reading >>
Just Itching To Share The News
So I get this e-mail from Web Editor Tara Dairman one day asking me if I’ve ever had any experience with diabetes-related yeast infections and would I like to blog about it. "You want me," I zapped back, "to tell the world about my itchy hooha?" I thought about it and, in the spirit of being up-front about what it’s like to live with diabetes, decided to go for it. If any one thing causes me to try and keep my blood glucose under control, it’s to avoid yeast infections which, for about a three-year period back in the day, would absolutely not go away. I itched. I burned. I wriggled and scratched. I wished sandpaper was absorbent and came in a roll. I treated and treated and treated with over-the-counter creams that were formerly available only by prescription. I applied a cream that a doctor prescribed for me. It soothed the itch, but didn’t cure the infection. It wasn’t until I switched to a female doctor that I finally got somebody who really understood what I was going through. It was a time when Diflucan (fluconazole) was new and the general wisdom was that you need only take one pill, and voila! Not with diabetes, you don’t. Yeast loves sugar, and I was very sweet in those days. The doc prescribed two pills and a prescription vaginal cream. It took two courses of that for the yeast infection to go away. And stop snickering, guys: You can get diabetes-related yeast infections, too. In fact, I know of one man who was diagnosed with diabetes when his “little friend,” as he called it, got a red, itchy rash that wouldn’t go away. Now comes news from a study in India that, in women with diabetes, a 14-day course of using boric acid vaginal suppositories is better at clearing up yeast infections than one Diflucan tablet. (Heck, I coulda told ’em that o Continue reading >>
Treatment Of Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
Vulvovaginal candidiasis is considered recurrent when at least four specific episodes occur in one year or at least three episodes unrelated to antibiotic therapy occur within one year. Although greater than 50 percent of women more than 25 years of age develop vulvovaginal candidiasis at some time, fewer than 5 percent of these women experience recurrences. Clinical evaluation of recurrent episodes is essential. Patients who self-diagnose may miss other causes or concurrent infections. Known etiologies of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis include treatment-resistant Candida species other than Candida albicans, frequent antibiotic therapy, contraceptive use, compromise of the immune system, sexual activity and hyperglycemia. If microscopic examination of vaginal secretions in a potassium hydroxide preparation is negative but clinical suspicion is high, fungal cultures should be obtained. After the acute episode has been treated, subsequent prophylaxis (maintenance therapy) is important. Because many patients experience recurrences once prophylaxis is discontinued, long-term therapy may be warranted. Patients are more likely to comply when antifungal therapy is administered orally, but oral treatment carries a greater potential for systemic toxicity and drug interactions. Diagnosis Women who have persistent or recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis often present to their family physician with intense vaginal discomfort. Other presenting symptoms may include an odorless vaginal discharge, pruritus, dyspareunia or dysuria. Frequently, these women express their frustration with ineffective treatments. Although the initial infection is sometimes diagnosed over the telephone, clinical evaluation of recurrent episodes is essential. Patients who self-diagnose yeast infections risk Continue reading >>
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Chronic Yeast Infection – Symptoms & Treatment Solution For You
In this post I would like to cover the topic of “Chronic Yeast Infection”, I will reveal the symptoms, what actually causes chronic yeast, and some natural treatment options available for YOU. Yeast infection is typically caused by Candida albicans. Candida is a normal resident of human body in small numbers, living in and on the warm, moist areas of the body. A yeast infection is the result of an overgrowth of Candida which may occur due to variety of reasons. Candidiasis is the medical term used to describe the infection due to yeast. A Candida yeast infection is generally not life-threatening (although it can and does occur) but it definitely can cause serious discomfort and very much affect the quality of a person’s life. The most commonly occurring infections due to an overgrowth of candida tend to be vaginal yeast infection, skin yeast infections, nail yeast infections as well as throat and oral thrush. A chronic yeast infection is a yeast infection which can potentially persist for a very long time which may be weeks or months or sometimes even many years. What causes chronic yeast infection? Generally, a yeast infection is not necessarily accompanied by a serious health problem. But, a chronic yeast infection may reflect a more serious underlying disease. There are certain diseases which can weaken the immune system of body and may result in a chronic yeast infection. It may be a symptom of diabetes mellitus or cancers like leukemia. It may also be a symptom of HIV infection or early stages of AIDS. Some other factors such as use of birth control pills or menopausal hormone replacement therapy may also be a factor in candida infection. Regular use of estrogen pills can cause a shift in the hormonal balance of your body, and this shift in hormonal balance c Continue reading >>
Can Diabetes Cause Vaginal Yeast Infections?
How common are yeast infections? A yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, is a type of fungal infection. It can cause irritation, itchiness, and discharge. Vaginal yeast infections are most common. 3 in 4 women will have at least one vaginal yeast infection in their lifetime. About half of all women will experience two or more. A number of things can increase your risk of yeast infection, including conditions such as diabetes. Keep reading to learn why this happens and what you can do to prevent it. Researchers in a 2013 study found a significant link between high blood sugar and vaginal yeast infections. This study focused on women and children with type 1 diabetes. According to a 2014 study, women with type 2 diabetes may be at an even higher risk of vaginal yeast infection. It’s unclear whether this is due to higher overall levels of blood sugar or another factor. Yeast feeds off of sugar. If your diabetes isn’t well-controlled, your blood sugar levels can spike to unreasonably high levels. This increase in sugar can cause yeast to overgrow, particularly in the vaginal area. Your body may develop a yeast infection in response. Maintaining your blood sugar levels may help reduce your risk of infection. If you have diabetes, you should undergo periodic screening for vaginal yeast infections. Some types of candidiasis can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. Talk with your doctor about the best screening schedule for you. Your vagina naturally contains a mix of yeast and bacteria. The yeast will remain in check as long as the balance between the two isn’t disrupted. A number of things can interfere with this balance and cause your body to produce an excessive amount of yeast. This includes: taking certain antibiotics undergoing hormone ther Continue reading >>
Diabetes Symptoms: Yeast Infection Could Be A Sign You Suffer With The Condition
The purpose of yeast in the body is to keep bacteria under control, and it can be found in moist areas such as the mouth, genitals and under folds of skin. However, when yeast builds up too much it’s classed as an infection. This can cause pain, itchiness, and discomfort. While there can be other reasons for yeast infections, those with poorly-controlled diabetes are at a higher risk of them. One is that when blood glucose levels are high, extra sugar may get into mucus, sweat and urine, and since yeast feeds on sugar it can cause an overgrowth. It’s not yet properly understood why but there are a number of suggestions. One is that when blood glucose levels are high, extra sugar may get into mucus, sweat and urine, and since yeast feeds on sugar it can cause an overgrowth. Another reason could be that poorly-controlled diabetes impacts on the immune system, and the body of someone with diabetes may have difficulty tackling a yeast infection. Similarly, once there has been an infection in a particular area, possibly due to poorly-controlled diabetes, there’s a higher risk of recurring problems. Dangerous bacterial infections Tue, January 24, 2017 Dangerous bacterial infections from food poisoning to meningitis. Symptoms of a yeast infection depends on the area, however if it’s on the skin there may be an itchy scaly rash or slight discolouration. In men, if the infection is in the genitals there may be an itchy rash on the penis. However, women are much more likely to suffer a vaginal yeast infection. Common signs of this include vaginal itching, burning, or pain, a cottage-cheese-like discharge, pain while urinating or an unpleasant odour. Fortunately, yeast infections are easy to treat, but it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Ways to prevent a Continue reading >>
