What Is "The Yeast Connection"?
It is a term to indicate the relationship of superficial yeast infections in your vagina and digestive tract to fatigue, headaches, depression, PMS, irritability and other symptoms that can make you feel "sick all over."
Superficial yeast infections cause symptoms in distant parts of the body. Scientists say there are several possible reasons how this happens: Japanese researchers suggest Candida albicans puts out a variety of types of toxins that can weaken your immune system.
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| Causes For A Yeast Infection |
One Cornell researcher theorizes that the candida infection can actually weaken your system enough to give you a higher risk of reinfection and of hormonal dysfunction. The development of autoantibodies like these can lead to rheumatoid arthritis. But the same study showed antifungal medications can eliminate these conditions.
In the 1980s, researchers in Finland carried out studies on the relationship of Candida albicans to atopic dermatitis (eczema).
Absorption of Food Antigens and Toxins
Based on clinical and research studies by many different observers, candida overgrowth in the intestinal tract may create what has been called a "leaky gut" With leaky gut, the mucosal lining between the intestine and the bloodstream breaks down, allowing harmful toxins and allergens to enter the bloodstream. Once they enter the bloodstream, these toxins can rapidly travel to all parts of your body, where they can further weaken your immune system and produce a long list of symptoms.
As a result, food antigens and toxins may be absorbed, which play a part in making you feel "sick all over."
I'll simplify this explanation because it's so important: Every person with a yeast-related problem has an overgrowth of Candida albicans in the digestive tract. This creates a disturbance in the normal balance of good bacteria, which, in turn, leads to a weakness of the membrane lining the intestinal tract. This is commonly called a "leaky gut." As a result, antigens (or toxic substances) in food are absorbed, and this plays a part in making you sick.
Allergies to the Candida Yeast Itself
A number of physicians say actual allergies to the candida yeast may play an important role in causing symptoms.
Internal medicine specialist James H. Brodsky, M.D., internal medicine clinical instructor at Georgetown University Medical Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, thinks Candida albicans is one of the most allergy-inducing substances known - and that short-term and long-term super sensitivity to candida is very common among adults.
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| Causes For A Yeast Infection |
"The investigators estimate that in about 26% of patients with chronic urticaria (hives), Candida albicans sensitivity is an important factor. Significant clinical improvement was seen with anti-candida therapy and a low-yeast diet,'' says Dr. Brodsky. To find out more, you can check out Causes For A Yeast Infection.