What may arguably be the most commonly known yeast infection or form of candidiasis in the world today is thrush, which affects mostly female genitalia. (It is rare, though not impossible, for men to contract the disease.) But yeast infections actually do not limit themselves to either gender, and simply affect certain areas of the human body.
Candida Albicans lives peacefully with other flora in the human body, its growth kept in check by a certain bacteria. It makes its home inside the dark, warm, wet areas of the body. This is why yeast infections are found in areas such as the ears, the mouth, the blood, the gastrointestinal or "gut" area – and yes, the area "down there." However, it also likes human skin, particularly warm, wet sections which like skin folds and armpits.
Candidiasis is also called "yeast infection" is because Candida Albicans' normal form is that of single oval yeast cells. When in yeast form, it duplicates itself through budding. This means the cells create genetic clones of themselves through bulbs that "grow" out of them. These bulbs stay attached to the parent cells for a while before letting go.
So how does a yeast infection actually start in the human body? Fungal overgrowth usually starts when the chemical and/or bacterial balance of the body has been disturbed. These changes cause the beneficial bacteria to die, and then the yeast cells are left to do what they want to. This effect allows them to change into an aggressive fungus that then start feeding on the cells of your body. They also start replicating themselves as fungus instead of harmless Candida.
It doesn't take long for you to realize that you have fungus breeding in your body. Usual signs are itching, burning and soreness in the areas where the fungus is feeding on your skin cells. It's important that you don't aggravate the situation further by scratching these areas. Doing this speeds up the rate in which the fungus will breed, and you will also make your symptoms worse.
The physical symptoms of a yeast infection are easily recognisable, and make a diagnosis from your doctor a formality. There are other symptoms though that are not easily diagnosed as yeast related and they are depression, mood swings, irritability, aching muscles and swollen joints. These often get diagnosed as something else, and are a problem for some people for years before they realize they are related to Candida overgrowth.
Other symptoms of fungal overgrowth in the human body are, white patches on the inside of the mouth. If you have fungus breeding in your digestive tract then your digestion is going to be affected. Common symptoms are bloating and indigestion. And your genitalia can/will have a white cottage-cheese-like discharge.
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