Candidiasis and Yeast Infections

Candidiasis may result from exposure to steroid or chemo-therapeutic drugs, prolonged illness, stress, alcohol abuse, smoking, lack of rest, poor nutrition and chemical preservatives in food. The leakage of mercury from so-called "silver" amalgam fillings appears to be a factor as well. Candidiasis also may occur in the blood and in the genital tract. Candidiasis, also known as thrush, is a common condition which is usually easily cured in people who are not immunocompromised, espcially with natural cures for yeast infections. Candidiasis (thrush, monilia infection) is caused by a fungus that most commonly infects the mouth (usually of infants or persons with weakened immune systems), or the vagina (yeast infection). Another form of candidiasis causes painful inflammation under the fingernails (paronychia).

Vaginal infections are responsible for an estimated 10% of all visits by women to their health care practitioners. There are three general categories of vaginitis; hormonal, irritant and infectious. Vaginal edema and erythema are present on examination. Vaginal Candida infections are commonly called yeast infections, but other fungi can produce a similar vaginal infection. A Candida infection of the mouth is called thrush, and a Candida infection of the uncircumcised penis is called balanitis.

Yeast is actually found in all manufactured citric acid and in most fruits; in vinegar, which is made of fermented wines, and in ciders from such fruits as grapes, pears, apples, and some herbs. Vinegar is used as a preservative for mustard, catsup, olives, mayonaise, many dressings, pickles, horseradish, spices, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and dried fruits. Yeasts have become increasingly significant as pathogens in all fields of medicine. This is particularly true of those which are saprophytes (they live by eating dead tissue instead of living tissue), because of their opportunistic behavior towards the altered/compromised condition of their host. Yeast/fungi and Clostridia species are widely known to accompany the use of broad spectrum antibiotics. Furthermore, recent research indicates that the growth of certain Candida types is markedly stimulated by antibiotic addition to the culture media.