Saturday, September 17, 2011

Diagnosing and Treating a Yeast Infection

In order to confirm whether you have a yeast or yeast type infection or not you need to either visit your health care professional for a diagnosis or take an over-the-counter test. If you choose to visit your health care professional, you will be given a physical assessment and a sample will be taken of your vaginal discharge. However, if you choose to use and over-the-counter test, you will preform a test similar to that of a home pregnancy test. A yeast infection test is based on the pH balance in your body.

Prior to purchasing over-the-counter YI treatments it is best to know for certain that you have a yeast infection. When you treat yourself for a condition that you do not have, you are placing yourself at risk for causing more damage. Anyone who has ever had a yeast infection can tell you how annoying they can be.

However, if you treat a suspected case of yeast infection, you are likely to change the normal pH balance in the vaginal area. This can result in the the growth and multiplication of microorganisms present in this area leading to disease.

The biggest problem with over-the-counter treatments is that women often 'jump the gun' and treat themselves for infections that are really non-existent. Any time most women has certain signs and/or symptoms associate with a vaginal yeast infection, they assume that they are suffering from one.

Unfortunately, there are various other infections that present the same signs and symptoms as a yeast infection presents. Some of these conditions include bacterial vaginosis, Chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

The three signs and symptoms that do indicate a yeast or yeast type infection are discomfort, appearance, and odor. Any time you notice these signs and symptoms, the chances are that you are suffering from a yeast infection.

The symptom that is the most apparent is discomfort in the area affected by the infection. Not only is this one of the most common symptoms of these type infections, but it is also one of the tell tale signs. Most women describe the discomfort as extreme burning or itching in the affected area.

Since a vaginal yeast infection irritates the lining of the vaginal area, many women also suffer from pain while urinating. If the infection is allowed to get very severe, the discomfort can be so great that it interferes with typical activities of daily living, like walking. The majority of the women who suffer from yeast infections also state that sexual intercourse is also painful.

While trying to determine if you have a yeast or yeast type infection you will want to pay attention to how the affected area looks. Many of the women who suffer from vaginal yeast infections state that their is a clumpy, white material which is similar to curdled milk present in the area. The area also looks red and is sore. Due to the fact that each case and each woman is different, there may or may not be any discharge.

As a matter of fact only 20% of women suffering from vaginal yeast infections report any kind of vaginal discharge. The discharge varies in color and in consistency. It could be anywhere from whitish to a slightly yellowish color. It may also be any where from very thin to quite thick.

The last sign that will help you determine if you have a yeast or yeast type infection is the distinct odor produced by this type of infection. Any discharge present may or may not have a starchy odor. This odor is often described as being similar to bread or beer. It is important to not that yeast is used in the production of both bread and beer; as a leavening agent in bread and for fermentation in beer. This type of infection is caused by excessive fungal growth. The most common yeast causing these infections is Candida albicans which is a form of yeast.



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