Yeast Infections: A Universal Threat

FACT: Yeast and bad bacteria are a part of everyone's internal ecosystem.  They only cause a problem when they are out of balance and allowed to overgrow.

FACT: The biggest misconception regarding yeast overgrowth us that the vagina is the only area affected in the body. Not True! Yeast cells live throughout your digestive tract (mouth to rectum).

FACT: In her book Candida, A Twentieth Century Disease, Shirley S. Lorenzani, Ph.D. reveals "that before antibiotics were introduced in 1947, only 1 out of 4 vaginal infections was due to the yeast called "Candida albicans."  Today, Candida is the cause if 9 out of 10 infections."

FACT: Dr. Christine Northrup author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom states that "in the last decade, while the percentage of women has increased by only 13 percent, the number of antifungal prescriptions for women has increased by 53 percent."

FACT: Scientists have been able to identify 79 known toxins that are released from a yeast cell.

FACT: Yeast overgrowth is not just a woman's disease.  Men and children also suffer.

The Major Causes of Yeast Cell Overgrowth and Depletion of Your Good Bacteria Are:

• Antibiotics
• Stress
• Diet
• Steroids
• Clothing
• Vaginal Hygiene
• Anatomy
• Environmental Pollutants
• Infections
• Alcohol
• Aging

A yeast called "Candida albicans" represents 85% of all yeast cells found in your digestive tract.  Like most yeast, it needs a warm, moist environment to thrive, so the digestive and intestinal tracts make perfect homes.  Yeast Cells embed themselves into the apithelial cells lining our mucous membranes.  There they feed by excreting digestive enzymes and absorbing the pre-digestive food through their cell walls.

Your immune system and good bacteria keep your yeast population in balance.  Please note Candida Albicans is the most common yeast in the body tat overgrows, but there are several others.

You've probably heard the term "yeast infection" before.  You may have experienced it.  And you may even know that it can effect men and children, too.  But what you might not know is that a "yeast infection" is really an overgrowth of yeast cells throughout your digestive tract causing an imbalance in your internal ecosystem.

Please note that you may not see an obvious physical sign with yeast overgrowth such as vaginal discharge or coating in your mouth (oral thrush).  Common symptoms are fatigue, headaches, intestinal gas and bloating, and cravings for sugar.

The Symptoms

Are Your Problems Yeast Connected

If your answer is "yes" to any question, you will receive the number of points listed on the far right side of the question.   When you have finished the questionnaire, add up the total points for all the questions you answered "yes" to.  Your score will help you determine the possibility (or probability) that your health problems are yeast connected.

1. Have you taken repeated or prolonged courses of antibacterial (antibiotics) drugs? 4

2. Have you been bothered by recurrent vaginal, prostate or urinal infections? 3

3. Do you feel "sick all over" yet the cause has not been found? 2

4. Are you bothered by hormone disturbances, including PMS, menstrual irregularities, sexual dysfunction, sugar craving, low body temperature or fatigue? 2

5. Are you usually sensitive to tobacco smoke, perfumes, colognes and other chemical odors? 2

6. Are you bothered by memory or concentration problems? Do you sometimes feel "spaced out"? 2

7. Have you taken prolonged courses of prednisone or other steroids; or have you taken "the pill" for more than three years? 2

8. Do some foods disagree with you or trigger symptoms? 1

9. Do you suffer from constipation, diarrhea, bloating or abdominal pain? 1

10. Does your skin itch, tingle or burn; or is it usually dry; or are you bothered by rashes? 1

Scoring for women:  If your score is 9 or more your health problems are probably yeast connected.  If your score is 12 or more, your health problems are almost certainly yeast connected.

Scoring for Men: If your score is 7 or more your health problems are probably yeast connected.  If your score is 10 or more, your health problems are almost certainly yeast connected.

Source: Multiple Online Internet Medical and Holistic Sources