Link Between Yeast Infections and Antibiotics
According to yeastinfectionadvisor.com, a website dedicated to helping people fight off their yeast problems, adults have anywhere from three-to-four pounds of good bacteria in their digestive systems. Because there is so much, it helps keep other bacteria, such as yeast (candida) under control. However, there is a delicate balance between the good and the bad bacteria. If conditions are just right, the yeast will take over and cause a myriad of problems.
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Risk Factors for Yeast
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It does not take much for yeast to get out of control. Women who take birth-control pills are likely to develop yeast infections. They can spread that infection through sexual contact. Adults who wear tight clothing can develop yeast because the bacteria love hot, humid and dark places. People with yeast problems are encouraged to wear breathable fabrics like cotton.
Another risk factor is diet. Yeast bacteria feed off of sugar, so it's reasonable to assume that people with a high sugar diet are at an increased risk for developing a yeast problem.
Changes in hormone levels, like when a woman is menstruating, can also cause yeast.
However, according to yeastinfectionadvisor.com, by far the most common cause of yeast infection are antibiotics, especially long-term use.
How Antibiotics Can Cause Yeast
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Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria, which is why they are prescribed for infections. Some of them are mycotoxins (pencillin is an example) that are derived from fungus. But antibiotics are not able to distinguish which bacteria to kill, so it often kills any and all bacteria in the body. This includes the good bacteria that keep the bad bacteria, including yeast, at manageable levels.
Once that good, protective bacteria is gone, the ratio of good to bad is skewed--- and it frees up the bad to start multiplying. As it multiplies, it becomes more dangerous to your system. -
Treatments
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There are literally dozens of yeast-infection treatments on the market today. Some are topical creams and ointments available over-the-counter and include Monistat, Vagisil, Gyne Lotrimin, all containing anti-fungal agents. These may help treat vaginal-yeast infections, but if you have a more serious problem, especially if your body is overrun with rashes, and if you know you have yeast in your intestine, prescription treatments may be necessary.
Nystatin is a prescription drug that is available in tablets, syrup and as a topical cream. It is derived from another bacteria and can help rid yeast from different parts of the body.
Difulcan is another prescription drug used for yeast. It's available in one-dose tablets taken by mouth.
Often times, if a physician prescribes a long course of antibiotics, he or she will also prescribe one of the above drugs to help prevent yeast.
Prevention/Solution
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If you are taking antibiotics and have not been prescribed an anti-yeast drug like the ones mentioned above, there are still ways to keep yeast overgrowth to a minimum. One way would be to cut sugar out of your diet during your course of treatment and eat low-sugar or sugar-free yogurt. Yogurt has naturally occurring probiotics (the good bacteria) and that alone can help keep you bacterial flora in check.
If you don't like yogurt, there are dozens of over-the-counter probiotic supplements such as Acidophilus that you can take. Take it as prescribed and don't assume that the more you take, the better off you'll be.
Considerations
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Antibiotic resistance has been in the headlines in recent years, with infectious disease such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) which is, according to mayoclinic.com, a result of the overuse of antibiotics.
As stated above, antibiotics are also the leading cause of yeast infections. It may be worthwhile to discuss with your doctor the risks versus benefits of antibiotic treatment. He or she may in fact, prefer not to prescribe any at all and just recommend treating you simply by managing your symptoms. This way you can also prevent any unwanted side effects of yeast overgrowth that can be harmful to you as well.
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