Yeast Infection Treatment - Prescription v Natural Remedies for Yeast Infection
By: John Cielo
Submitted: 2011-06-12 12:01:28 | Word Count: 662
Many sufferers are now looking to natural yeast infection treatments instead of prescription and over-the-counter medications. But why? Here, you'll discover the simple pro's and con's of prescription and natural treatments. You'll also find several natural tips on how to eliminate yeast infection.
Yeast infection treatment is usually through prescription or over-the-counter medications. These are usually drug-based and can work for many people given time. The problem is that they tend to focus on the symptoms of the infection rather than the root cause(s). And, because they are drugs, the Candida fungus that causes the symptoms can become drug-resistant.
[ advertisement ]
The outcome, for many sufferers, is that unless they address the underlying causes, there may be nothing to stop their yeast infection returning again. And if they just address the symptoms again, then they can suffer even more infections that can cause health problems over time. In addition, for many sufferers, the drug-based medications can have a few nasty side effects.
These are the reasons why so many more people nowadays are appreciating the benefits of natural remedies for their infections. There are home remedies and simple lifestyle changes that you can make that can not only help to eliminate yeast infection when it occurs, but also prevent recurring infections damaging your health.
You see, although the Candida albicans fungus cause the symptoms, the key underlying 'triggers' for yeast infection are; a lowered immune system, high blood sugar levels, hormonal imbalance, reduced friendly bacteria numbers, and some drug therapy. But there are natural ways to help improve your immune system, reduce sugar levels, replenish friendly bacteria, etc., and so fix these key underlying issues to prevent recurring infections...
1. Reduce High Blood Sugar Levels
Cut out sugars from your diet, including things like artificial sweeteners, fructose, dextrose, glucose, sucrose, syrups, honey, diabetic sweets, tinned products containing sugar, dried fruits, etc. If you have really bad Candida albicans overgrowth you should also cut-out fruit. But, if you have moderate overgrowth only, then take a very small amount of fruit.
2. Improve Friendly Bacteria Numbers and Auto-immune System
Eat plain natural yoghurt that has no coloring, fruit, sugar or sweeteners added. The label should say that it contains live, active cultures, or similar wording. These are beneficial bacteria -- Lactobacillus acidophilus -- that help to build-up your friendly bacteria levels in your gut.
Taking probiotics can also help to build-up your immune system. As can the following herbs; Korean and Siberian ginseng, echinacea, and astragulus, etc. Talk to your herbalist.
If you're taking antibiotics -- particularly broad spectrum -- then these can kill-off your good bacteria along with the bad. So talk to your doctor to see if there is another antibiotic that they can prescribe that will not attack your beneficial bacteria.
3. Re-balance Hormones
Herbs can help to re-balance your hormones. Herbs such as red clover and black cohosh have oestrogenic-balancing effects. To balance progesterone, there is vitex agnus castus. For advice talk to your doctor and herbalist.
The above is just a snap-shot of typical natural yeast infection treatment that can be applied. But there are so many other issues to consider, including your diet, lifestyle, medical conditions, medications, and so on. You need to take this broad approach to increase your chances of not only getting rid of your present yeast infection, but also to prevent future recurring infections from damaging your health...
