samedi 4 juin 2016

Vaginal Yeast Infection, or Bacterial Vaginosis? How do you tell the difference?

Is it Bacterial Vaginosis, or is it a Vaginal Yeast Infection?
Almost all women have experienced these undesirable symptoms from time to time; smelly vaginal discharge, itching around the vaginal area, at times a burning sensation. So, how can we tell whether it is a vaginal yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, since both conditions have similar symptoms, yet require different medications to treat?
Vaginal Yeast Infection:
A yeast infection is a fungal infection. Yeast or Candida as it is referred to, is a fungus that is present in human skin, especially in moist areas such as the mouth and the vagina. All women have a small amount of yeast in the vaginal area; but when this amount of yeast increases substantially, you can get a yeast infection. Vaginal yeast infection is also known as Vaginal Candidiasis. It can be caused when the normal protective bacteria in the vagina are destroyed by antibiotics, or as a result of chemotherapy, or as a result of certain cortisone based medications, or oral contraceptives. It can be caused by eating large quantities of sugar. Badly controlled diabetes or having HIV/AIDS can lead to a yeast infection as well. And stress can also cause this infection. The most common symptom of a yeast infection is extreme itching around the vaginal area. This is accompanied by a thick discharge without any bad smell. A rash, swelling and burning in the vaginal area is quite common, along with pain while passing urine and during sex.
Yeast infections are treated with topical anti-fungal creams, and if necessary anti-fungal medicines that are to be taken orally. Anti-fungals used to treat a vaginal yeast infection include Clotrimazole (cream or oral), Miconazole (cream or oral), Terconazole (cream or oral), Flucanazole (oral), and Nystatin (oral).
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV):
Bacterial Vaginosis or BV is caused by bacteria. All healthy women have different kinds of bacteria and organisms in their vagina. Most of these are the ‘good’ bacteria, and some are ‘bad’. But when this balance is upset, and the bad bacteria become larger in number than the good, the result is Bacterial Vaginosis. It is not properly known what exactly causes BV. Any woman can get BV. Some of the things that can contribute towards an imbalance in the vaginal bacteria include using an IUD for birth control, douching, and having multiple sexual partners, or consecutively new partners. Many women who get BV may not have any signs or symptoms. Women with BV may have an extremely stinky vaginal discharge. It has a very strong fishy odour, especially after intercourse. Discharge if present is usually grey or white. BV may also cause itching around the vaginal area, and a burning sensation while passing urine.
Although BV can clear up without any treatment, it is always recommended that the condition be treated with medication to avoid further complications. Treatment is especially important for pregnant women, and for women undergoing a hysterectomy or an abortion. Since BV is a bacterial infection, it is treated with antibiotics. The two most commonly prescribed antibiotics are Metronidazole and Clindamycin. BV can recur even after treatment, and may need another course of antibiotics.
So, to sum up, while both Yeast Infections and Bacterial Vaginosis do have a lot of common symptoms, they are two different conditions requiring different kinds of treatment. Yeast Infections are caused by an overgrowth of yeast, which is a fungus, and are treated with anti-fungal medicines. BV on the other hand, is a bacterial infection and is treated with antibiotics. It is always important for a woman to have some knowledge of the issues affecting her health. After all, who knows your body as well as you do?

Stay Fit This Summer with Your Family

Stay Fit This Summer with Your Family
The summer holidays can be the perfect time for you to bond with your family and spend that extra needed time together.  However, it can become difficult to stay healthy during those hot summer months.  So here are some quick small ways you can make a difference so that your kids understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

Beyond popsicles and Pirate’s Booty

  • Adult cereals that are easy for little fingers to pick up
  • Melon slices. They are refreshing and full of antioxidants. You can also cut them into special shapes with a cookie cutter.
  • Cheese sticks and berries
  • Frozen grapes (only for kids older than 5)

More DIY treats

These snacks take a little prep, but are worth the time.
  • Kid-size sandwiches made out of mini whole-wheat pitas and filled with hummus and halved cherry tomatoes or almond butter and banana slices
  • Mini yogurt parfaits with vanilla low-fat yogurt, cut up fresh fruit, and granola. “
  • DIY popsicles made from 100% juice

Healthy storybooks to pass the time

It often seems easier for authors to communicate a revulsion to vegetables than to impart an enjoyment of healthy food. But we’ve found some great exceptions.

Plan a fun farm stay

The experience of working on a farm will forever change your child’s perception of the grocery store. For anywhere from $15–$250 a night, your family can stay in a working farm and take part in the chores.