When most people think of yeast, they think of an ingredient used to help bread rise. However, did you know that yeast actually exists naturally in the human body, too? No, it’s not like the yeast used in baking; it’s actually a fungus known as Candida.
Candida cells live within the body, specifically in the mouth, the intestines and the vagina. Its job is to aid the body with the process of digestion and assist it with the absorption of nutrients. Under normal conditions, these yeast cells exist in small numbers. Bacteria helps to keep the number of these cells in check, preventing them from overgrowing; however, when something happens to disrupt the balance of the bacteria and the yeast cells, a yeast infection can occur.
What can cause a yeast infection to develop? Actually, there are several things that can lead to an imbalance of yeast cells and bacteria. Certain medications can lead to yeast infections, increased levels of estrogen, and even health conditions, such as diabetes, can cause a yeast infection to develop.
How do you know if you have a yeast infection? Some of the signs are pretty obvious, while others aren’t so apparent. In order to prevent a yeast infection from growing out of controlling and causing serious problems, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of this condition so that you can get the proper treatment. Yeast infections can develop pretty much anywhere that is warm, dark and moist, which means there are plenty of spots where this type of infection can break out.
Signs and Symptoms of a Yeast Infection
There are several different signs and symptoms that may indicate you have a yeast infection. Remember that since yeast infections can occur in various parts of the body and can impact the body in a myriad of ways, the signs and symptoms can also present themselves in ways that may seem odd, or may seem as if they are linked to another condition.
Without further ado, here’s a look at 15 of the most common symptoms that are associated with a yeast infection…
1. Discharge
One of the most common signs of a yeast infection is discharge. Yeast infections commonly form in the vagina. That’s because the yeast that causes yeast infections, Candida, lives in small amounts in the vagina. While bacteria help to keep the yeast under control, when something happens to disturb the bacteria, Candida can grow at a rapid pace, causing a yeast infection, which can produce white, thick and clump vaginal discharge. The vagina isn’t the only part of the body where a yeast infection accompanied by discharge can develop; it can also develop in the belly button, the ears, the anus, the armpits and around the nose.
