Candida is a form of yeast that exists naturally in everyone. It is normally harmless and just present in the body. However, if the body for one reason or another becomes unbalanced, the yeast can overgrow, leading to a host of problems. Unlike many other medical conditions, there is no single cause of yeast infection that is accepted by the medical community. There is a combination of a variety of different factors that allows this form of yeast to wreak havoc on the human body.
There are certain people who are more prone to candida overgrowth than others. It is understood that people with compromised immune systems are more susceptible than others to abnormal candida growth. People with AIDS, diabetes, cancer, depression, the elderly, and people with chronic medical conditions are most at risk. Long-term use of certain medications can also put a person at risk of developing a candida overgrowth.
Immune weakness is probably the most obvious reason for the development of yeast infection. When the immune system is compromised, the body is vulnerable to attack by a wide variety of pathogens, not just Candida. Interestingly, candida can often start to flourish when a person is using antibiotics, as antibiotics kill off the good bacteria that are critical to keeping yeast production in check. When the good bacteria are depleted, you create the environment for yeast to thrive.
While there is no single reason for a yeast infection to develop, there are a number of factors that can build up, triggering yeast overproduction. Have you ever heard the saying ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’? It’s a great way to understand how yeast infection develops.
Current thinking points to the possibility that overproduction of candida is very common. Candida can cause a litany of medical problems. Furthermore, the causes may be more numerous than previously thought. In addition to immune diseases and cancers, treatments for these conditions can also cause candida. Also, the use of steroid medications, vitamin and nutrient deficiencies, the use of birth control pills for more than three years, various toxins such as lead or mercury, hormonal changes, stress, chronic fatigue syndrome, and illness. Thyroid disorders are also possible culprits.
It is easy to see how these factors can be described as causes of yeast infection. All of these are critical in reducing the body’s ability to manage itself. When this happens, the body is susceptible to candida. Symptoms of candida overgrowth can come on gradually or flare up with force.
When Candida assumes a dominant role in the body, this potentially virulent form of yeast transforms into its fungal form. This fungal state allows the candida to cause damage and release dangerous toxins into the body. If you remember that one of the causes of the candida mass is toxins, you can see the creation of a cycle that puts the body at risk of several health problems.
There are many causes of candida that need to be considered. If you understand how candida occurs in abundance, you can formulate a plan to fight it.
Remember, if you suspect that you may have developed a yeast infection, you must immediately work to counteract it. There are many steps you can take, both natural and through medical intervention. Be sure to research all of your options and choose the path that will help you achieve better health.
