March 7, 2009

Men and Yeast Infection

Filed under: Articles,Herbal Remedies — admin @ 8:40 am

For many men yeast infection happens when the way they eat and live makes their bodies perfect hosts for the yeast bacteria. These then multiply way beyond their limits, and start to take over your body.

It is also known as candidiasis because the infection is caused by Candida fungus which is normally present in our body but imbalance in the body system allows Candida to grow out of control and leads to yeast infection. Infection may occur in moist areas of the body like the mouth and genital area which are the perfect home for the fungus.

Friendly bacteria that are present in the digestive tract keep Candida at low levels by feeding on the yeast. These friendly bacteria are killed by antibiotics, cortisone and chemotherapy, etc.

Men who are uncircumcised are at a greater risk of having a yeast infection because the skin folds of the foreskin are hard to keep clean, are moist, and can become a breeding ground for fungus. Also, men who are diabetic or have a disease or illness that lowers the immune system are also more at risk for contracting a yeast infection.

It is possible for men to get a yeast infection from sexual intercourse, but this doesn’t mean it is a sexually transmitted disease.

For some men yeast infection symptoms are similar to those in women: itching, irritation, slight discharge, sores on the foreskin, pain during sexual intercourse, and appearance of a white cheese-like material. Physically, it can cause dryness and itching of the skin. It can also cause digestive disorders and constipation.

The type of treatment you need, will depend on the type of yeast infection you have, although natural remedies have proven to very beneficial. Garlic, yogurt, tea tree oil, oregano oil, aloe vera and other home remedies have proven to be effective for men with yeast infection.

Medications may temporarily get rid of the symptoms and offer short-term relief, but the root cause of the problem, the yeast spores, remains and inevitably will lead to future outbreaks. If you find that the over the counter medications aren’t working or that your yeast infection is recurring you may need more effective treatment that only a doctor can prescribe.

Whilst you are treating men yeast infection, it is advisable to use a water soluble lubricating gel during sex and always wear condoms too, to avoid passing the infection onto your partner.

November 7, 2008

Treating Cold Sores

Filed under: Articles,Herbal Remedies — admin @ 4:05 pm

You can usually get rid of a cold sore naturally within ten days or so. Many people choose to wait out their cold sores, just ignoring them until they go away. While that is OK for some, othewrs want to treat them straight away. There are many different types of cold sore treatment available, from antiviral pills to over the counter and prescription creams. Many people also use conventional pain relievers like aspirin and acetaminophen as cold sore treatment.

 Often on the first outbreak people are often recommended to take antiviral medications. These pills are only obtainable by prescription, so the cold sore sufferer must consult a doctor first. Cold sore medication such as acyclovir or famciclovir can provide pain relief and reduce the healing time of a cold sore. If you want antiviral medication to be effective, start taking it as soon as the cold sore appears

There are several types of creams used to treat cold sores. Creams containing docosanol are particularly useful. Docosanol is used to fight against the HSV-1 virus that causes cold sores and it can soothe the pain as well as help heal the cold sore sooner. Other types of cold sore treatment include creams designed to numb the area surrounding the cold sore and moisturizer creams that help revitalize the skin around the cold sore. Lip balm can also prevent the cold sore from cracking open.

Many traditional pain relief medicines like acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen are great cold sore treatments. These medicines treat the inflammation, providing pain relief. While there is no cure for cold sores, there are several types of cold sore treatment that make having a cold sore a shorter experience.

Always, if possible consult with a doctor before starting on any course of treatment