Thursday, November 13, 2008

How To Prevent Yeast Infections

By Rebecca Wincup

Despite what you may have been told about yeast infection, there are some simple, easy to follow tips to prevent yeast infection. And preventing this common condition can significantly improve your life in terms of stress and physical discomfort when dealing with. Preventing yeast infection can be easy and straightforward but very effective too when followed closely.

Yeast infection occurs when there is an increased growth of a fungus called Candida Albicans. This is present in many people in a normal state so it is virtually impossible to prevent contact with this micro-organism. However, you can prevent it from growing quickly by minimizing it's chance to come in contact with any moist environment on the body. Fungi grow easily in a moist, warm environment; Candida is not an exception.

One tip to prevent yeast infection that you should consider is that there are many types of clothing that should be avoided if you want to prevent a full-blown yeast infection. Articles of clothing such as wet bathing suits, tight-fitting pants, spandex shorts, and leotards should not be worn for prolonged periods. Any piece of clothing that is too tight or restricts the flow of air, traps moisture. Because of this, you may experience not only general discomfort but you risk worsening the symptoms of the infection.

One of the simplest tips to prevent yeast infection is to not use nylon underwear. Cotton is a better choice of material for underwear because it is a natural material that allows air to circulate and also helps wick away moisture. In addition, you should not wear pantyhose. If wearing pantyhose is a necessity, be sure to wear cotton panties underneath.

It is important to keep the genital area clean and dry. Drying the vaginal area after bathing will help to discourage the growth of the Candida fungus. Also, using anything in the genital area that contains perfumes or dyes (such as deodorant sanitary pads or tampons, feminine sprays, colored toilet paper) may cause or aggravate yeast infections. Therefore, it would be wise to avoid these products whenever possible.

Antibiotics have been shown to be a common culprit when it comes to yeast infections. Barring a medical condition for which they are deemed necessary, avoiding their use and cultivating a healthier life style are recommended. Consult with your doctor to get information on proper diet and exercise plans. Eating yogurt which contains active cultures each day is one tip to prevent yeast infections that helps the body maintain its normal bacterial balance.

A last tip that will hold you in good stead is to be more discerning about the food you eat. Basically, foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugars will encourage yeast to grow in the body and could lead to an infection. So reduce your intake of sugar foods like cakes and soft drinks. Try to eat more fresh food, especially fresh vegetables and fruits in place of high carbohydrate foods. In this regard, you should also think about eating fresh fruits and vegetables at different times to cooked food. If you eat cooked food at the same time as you eat fresh food, the food can ferment inside your stomach. The fermented food will cause excess bacteria to grow along with the fungus you already have.

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