Yeast Infections in the Body

Yeast infections in the body are due to candida albicans, an overgrowth of the candida in the mouth. It can spread through the gastrointestinal tract to the intestines, creating a vaginal yeast infection in women. Men can get yeast infections, too. Overconsumption of yeast-containing foods, foods made from mold (cheese, mushrooms) and sugars of all kinds (including fruit) can feed yeast infections.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that left untreated, candida can spread to the brain (meningitis), heart (endocarditis), eyes (endophthalmitis), esophagus (esophagitis) or the joints (arthritis).

Identification

Candida is a well-known infection. Many women experience yeast infections while taking birth control pills. Both men and women can develop yeast infections after a taking a course of antibiotics---which kills off the friendly bacteria in the gut that normally keeps the candida bacteria in check.
If you have symptoms such as extreme fatigue, mental fogginess, vaginal yeast infections or feel "run down" physically, see your doctor to be evaluated for candida.

Features

Candida as a yeast infection is common in people with an immune system that is weakened from overwork or if the person has been ill recently and not fully recovered.
Candida lives in the mouth, throat, digestive tract and in the urinary tract. If you have a healthy immune system, you may not develop candida albicans.

Considerations

If you live or work in an area that is very damp and has signs of mold or if you have been ill frequently and have taken more than one course of antibiotic drugs, you may be more prone to developing candida albicans.
If you consume a lot of foods made from yeast, molds or sugars, you are also more at risk. Foods include yeast-containing breads (including pretzels, crackers and pizza), foods with mold (cheese, but also leftover foods with microscopic growths of mold) and sugar of all types, including fruits, honey, maple syrup, molasses and cane juice. Stevia is not considered a sugar.

Misconceptions

Many people, including medical professionals perceive yeast infections to be primarily a "women's health issue" because they identify them with vaginal yeast infections. While women do have yeast infections, men can also be at risk for yeast infections if they have a compromised immune system or fit the other criteria regarding environment and diet.

Prevention/Solution

Notice any obvious signs of extreme tiredness for no reason and a feeling of malaise. Women need to be treated before the infection spreads. Men, who may not exhibit signs of any yeast infections, need to be more aware of the signs of yeast infections.
See your doctor for early detection and treatment to prevent the yeast infection from spreading to other areas of the body.