The female human body is an organic machine which is made up of nerve, muscle and bone. It can nurture babies for up to nine months. But, just like all machines, it is inclined to the occasional malfunction, such as, well, getting candidasis - better known as a yeast infection, or in this case vaginal thrush. So exactly how can one diagnose yeast infection?
Not Quite Yeast, Actually...
To begin, vaginal infection is not literally caused by yeast.. The yeast infection is actually caused by a fungus called Candida albicans which has yeast-like properties. It grows naturally in warm, moist, dark regions of the body, like the mouth and the vagina. Its growth is kept checked by a kind of beneficial bacteria which also grows in the human body. The job of Candida albicans is to search for harmful bacteria and destroy them.
The trouble starts when the good bacteria that monitor the growth of Candida albicans die, either because of antibiotics or a weak immune system. Once these bacteria die, Candida albicans grow rapidly and spread aggressively. Add to this the fact that all candida fungi can pass through muscle or organ walls in the body (it has been known to penetrate intestinal walls), and there you have it - an infection which could irritate both the vagina and the vulva.
So How Do You Do Diagnosing yeast infection, Really?
The first step to determine the signs and symptoms. The most showing symptom is if your body releases a white or whitish-gray discharge that comes out clumpy and has a smell which reminds you of bread or beer. Other typical warning signs include severe itching, a burning and tingling sensation, and even soreness, all of which make walking, switching positions, urinating and sexual intercourse very difficult. Some of these symptoms may be increased through exposure to chemicals, such as perfumes and household cleaning materials.
Sufferers are also more susceptible to develop allergies through inhaling airborne mold. Damp, dark locations can make them feel worse. They may also show a needing for sugar, breads, carbohydrates and alcohol, though sufferers may not necessarily be tolerant to alcohol. But even then these signs and symptoms altogether might make you a candidate for another infection called bacterial vaginosis, which merits its own article.
With these signs and symptoms in mind, the next step is to go to your obstetrician-gynecologist or ob-gyne. The ob-gyne will begin asking you about your symptoms, your medical history and your exposure to certain chemicals. The procedure which he or she will do is to get a little swab of your discharge and check on it under a miscroscope. The ob-gyne might also ask you to help him or her in identifying the exact location of the itching or pain using a magnifying lens.
Keep in mind that not all doctors are able to detect thrush or yeast infections properly. There are times that the indicators could be signs of thrush as described here, and there are instances that they may possibly actually be symptoms of a kind of vaginitis, most likely bacterial in nature. Also, when left uncontrolled, thrush may cause dangerous side-effects, such as endometriosis, ovarian dysfunction and the release of toxins which may further jeopardize your immune system.
Diagnosing yeast infection could be difficult, mostly because its symptoms are no different with those of other illnesses affecting the genital region. Therefore, it is really important to be pro-active in acquiring an accurate diagnosis as soon as you experience the warning signs.
You must be able to recognize and be always aware of what is going on with your private region. And you must be very forthcoming when asked about the medication you are taking and the products you are using as cures for yeast infection.
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