Yeast infections are a nuisance as old as time, and their effects are often extremely irritating and embarrassing. What women do need to know is that this doesn’t have to be such a big deal because there are a lot of ways to get rid of this annoying problem. The article below is full of tips to keep infections at bay.
Caused by the fungus candida, yeast infections occur from an overgrowth of this microorganism, which is naturally present in the vagina. If the vagina’s natural balance of yeast and bacteria is disrupted, like by antibiotics, the yeast can multiply and cause changes in the vagina like vaginal burning and itching, white, clumpy discharge often described as cottage cheese in appearance and redness—all of which are symptoms of a yeast infection.
Although yeast infections are very common among women, they can be difficult to accurately self-diagnose. Research has shown that only 35% of women with a history of yeast infection were able to correctly diagnose a yeast infection from their symptoms alone.
Dry yourself with a clean towel after you shower to prevent yeast infections. Excess moisture in the vaginal area can cause yeast infections. If there is not any water for the yeast to grow, you will not get as many yeast infections.
If you have recurring yeast infections, you should rethink the bath products you use. Stay away from cleaners that have dyes and fragrances. These products can alter your natural chemistry and pH balance in your vagina to make a place that promotes yeast growth. Rather, your focus and choices should be on milder products that are hypoallergenic.
This is not a hidden fact that fungi and yeast like microbes feed on sugar. And that’s why whenever you read about remedies for yeast infection, you find a caution against having sugary foods. Coconut oil has a naturally sweet flavor and when you have it internally, it works as a sugar substitute. When there is no actual sugar, the yeast would naturally starve to death. Also when you have coconut oil, it lessens your sugar cravings by boosting your energy. This minimizes your need to have sweets and carbs and you take a step forward towards killing off the yeast present in your system.
Garlic, one of the superfoods of our times, can also come to your rescue when it comes to killing the yeasts causing infection. How does garlic help in yeast infection? Well, there are two components of garlic that give it anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties- Allicin and Ajoene. A whole clove of garlic, however, does not contain allicin. Allicin is created only when one of the other components of garlic, alliin, gets combined with the enzyme alliinase, also present in garlic. And how does this happen? Simply by crushing the garlic clove.
Make yogurt a staple in your diet. If you start feeling some of the symptoms of a yeast infection, such as burning or itching, reach for some yogurt. Acidophilus cultures are present in many yogurts. This is a bacteria that is life, and helpful for your body’s natural defenses against yeast infections. The healthy bacteria will help to restore the genital tract’s natural balance, helping to eliminate the yeast infection.
Get plenty of sleep. Your immune system is the best defense against a yeast infection. However, if you do not get enough sleep, your immune system will weaken and make you vulnerable to infections. Attempt a sleeping schedule that’s regular, and avoid exercise and caffeine too close to bedtime.
Many natural health practitioners recommend grapefruit seed extract to cure yeast infection including that in the vagina. It has natural antibiotic and antifungal properties that kill the growing yeast along with a wide variety of other pathogens. However, it has to be accompanied with a cleansing diet – a diet which is low in sugar, starches, fermented foods, coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and high in fiber, low starch vegetables, proteins, complex carbohydrates, and fruits.
If you know of a natural product that many people rely on for relief of pain or ailment, what is wrong with telling others about it from HERE? The wonderful thing about home remedies is they don’t cost much to try, often work as well or better than prescription drugs and usually have no side effects. Of course, we all need to understand that just because a product helps one person it doesn’t mean it is the cure and everybody will get the same results. It doesn’t matter if the product or drug was part of a double-blind, peer-reviewed study or was just one of grandma’s secret remedies. Nothing affects everyone the same.
