Marjorie Crandall, PhD

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Yeasts are normally found on body surfaces in low numbers,  and they usually do not cause any problems. But when people are exposed to  certain risk factors, yeasts can overgrow causing symptomatic infections. Most yeast infections

. For this reason, yeast  infections are called 

. But other species of yeast can  also cause infections in susceptible patients.

Yeasts can cause many different illnesses that range from  annoying to life-threatening. Yeast infections on body surfaces are referred to  as 

. A yeast infection on the skin is  called 

, whereas a yeast infection on mucous  membranes of the mouth, intestine or vagina is called 

There are two types of mucosal yeast infections:

1.      The white form of yeast infection is called 

 means false membrane): In the white form, yeasts  actively grow on tissue surfaces, releasing digestive enzymes and metabolic  products that kill epithelial cells. The dead tissue turns white, forms a false  membrane, and sloughs off in clumps. Examples include oral thrush, Candida  esophagitis, vaginal yeast infections and intestinal candidiasis (also called  the yeast syndrome). The white form of mucosal yeast infection is the classic  example illustrated in medical textbooks.

2.      The red form of yeast infection is called 

chronic atrophic  erythematous candidiasis

  means red tissue): In the red form, yeasts are not actively growing. Instead,  yeasts invade underlying tissues and penetrate inside epithelial cells. There  the yeasts continually release irritating chemicals into tissues, causing  chronic inflammation, redness and burning. In this intracellular location,  yeasts are protected from antifungals and the immune system. Examples include  red, burning gums (

) in people with false teeth,  and red, burning vulvas (

) in  women inadequately treated for vaginal yeast infections or who have predisposing  conditions for candidiasis. Diagnosis of the red form of yeast infection is  usually missed by most physicians. Any red, burning, irritated tissue for which  there is no identifiable cause should be considered a candidate for the  diagnosis of the red form of candidiasis. The key is identifying the patient’s  risk factors for yeast infections.

Superficial candidiasis is referred to as 

,  which means not malignant. While superficial yeast infections are not  life-threatening, they sure make your life miserable! Yeast infections and other  yeast-related illnesses are arranged in the following table in order of  increasing seriousness.

There  are many risk factors that predispose people to develop candidiasis. Most yeast  infections are caused by physicians’ treatments. The major prescription drugs  that cause yeast infections are antibiotics, corticosteroids, antacids, and  estrogen (in birth control pills

Candida allergy is another predisposing risk factor that  makes people more susceptible to Candida infections. Sadly, this fact is usually  ignored – or even denied! – by the medical establishment. Yet, many controlled  clinical studies have provided evidence for the candidiasis hypersensitivity  syndrome.

Some behavioral risk factors also lead to yeast infections.  Hence, you must control these everyday activities as part of a program  tailor-made for your individual case in order to prevent yeast infections.

If you suffer from vulvodynia, you need to know that the  standard medical protocol does not evaluate a woman’s history of risk factors  for yeast infections, does not offer a long-term therapeutic trial of a systemic  antifungal, and does not treat for Candida allergy. Furthermore, I disagree with  most of the treatments currently offered for vulvodynia:

Vulvar biopsy and vestibulectomy surgery are barbaric  	and unnecessary if the cause is yeast!

Biofeedback and calcium citrate are unproven.

Guaifenesin may have antifungal activity.

Some SSRIs have been shown in laboratory studies to  	have antifungal activity!

The low oxalate diet has been proven invalid in  	clinical studies!

Estrogen cream actually causes vulvovaginal yeast  	infections!

Because of the current controversies over treatments for  yeast infections, Candida allergy and vulvodynia, you have to become your own  advocate. You don’t have to “

Take charge of your health and learn everything about your condition. Please  be assured that yeast-related illnesses can be cured and prevented if you obtain  proper medical care and make appropriate certain lifestyle changes. Discuss my  TEN STEP PROGRAM with your doctor.

STEP 1. Diagnostic testing for Candida infection and Candida allergy
 	STEP 2. Antifungal treatment with topical and systemic antiyeast medications
 	STEP 3. Precautions for avoiding liver toxicity and drug interactions
 	STEP 4. Anti-inflammatory drugs for itching and burning
 	STEP 5. Immunotherapy for Candida allergy
 	STEP 6. Avoid all risk factors that cause yeast infections
 	STEP 7. Lifestyle changes to prevent recurrences
 	STEP 8. Candida diet to cut down on adverse food reactions
 	STEP 9. Probiotics restore friendly intestinal bacteria killed by  	antibiotics
 	STEP 10. Antifungal prophylaxis when risk factors are unavoidable

Articles

Yeasts are normally found on body surfaces in low numbers, and they usually do not cause any problems. But when people are exposed to certain risk factors, yeasts can overgrow causing symptomatic infections.

Author | Marjorie Crandall, PhD

Articles

Yeast Infections, Candida Allergy, and Vulvodynia