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- What is candidiasis?
- Symptoms of candidiasis
- Causes of candidiasis
- Prevention of candidiasis
- Risk factors for candidiasis
- Complications of candidiasis
- When to see a doctor about candidiasis
- Diagnosis of candidiasis
- Conventional treatment of candidiasis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of candidiasis
- Living with candidiasis
- Caring for someone with candidiasis
Certain people are at a higher risk for developing candidiasis than others. Some of these risk factors are:
Antibiotics
People taking antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection, are more at risk for developing candidiasis. While antibiotics are vital and necessary for any bacterial infections, especially since they can become life-threatening if they are not promptly treated, there is a tendency to overuse antibiotics in the case where a bacterial infection could occur (in a person with an existing viral infection), which may not be helpful.
Candidiasis is a known and accepted side effect of antibiotic treatment that occurs in many people, but it especially can occur more often if the antibiotic treatment is for a prolonged duration and if the immune system is especially low.
Bacterial infection
People with an existing bacterial infection may also have some further lowered immunity due to the infection. The lowered immunity may result in a decrease of the "good" bacteria in the body, with a proliferation of the "bad" bacteria, which allows the candida albicans yeast to overgrow without abate.
In addition to this, people with a bacterial infection may also be taking antibiotics, which can further reduce the numbers of "good" bacteria and provide a perfect environment for the candid albicans yeast to overgrow and develop into candidiasis.
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Diabetes
People who have any type of diabetes are more prone to developing candidiasis (and other opportunistic infections) because they have lowered immunity and a less than optimally functioning pancreas and digestive system.
If there are insufficient "good" bacteria in the gastrointestinal system and there is a proliferation of the "bad" bacteria, this allows opportunistic yeasts such as candida albicans to overgrow, because the body's immune system cannot control it.
Lowered immunity
People who have lowered immunity, either from general immune system problems or through artificial lowering of immunity through the use of certain medications that suppress the immune system (AIDS/HIV medications, corticosteroids, chemotherapy) are more likely to developing candidiasis, as well as any other opportunistic infections, due to the suppression of their immune system's function.
If the immune system is impaired, it cannot stop (or even slow don) the overgrowth of any "bad" bacteria, viruses or yeasts and this allows the candida albicans yeast an opportunity to overgrow, proliferate and cause candidiasis.
Obesity
People who are very overweight and obese are much more susceptible to having an overgrowth of the candida albicans yeast (and any other opportunistic infections) because their gastrointestinal system is over-burdened due to pressure of their excessive weight.
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