What Are the Treatments for Recurring Yeast Infections?

Yeast infections can wreak havoc with your daily routine, especially when you have symptoms such as fatigue, bloating, diarrhea, gas, dizziness, mood swings, depression and cravings for sugar. Yeast infections are caused by Candida albicans. Candida will not harm your body in small amounts, but sometimes either the immune system is suppressed or your diet can aggravate the symptoms of Candida cells. Also, the healthy bacteria in your body is sometimes not enough to balance it out, thus resulting in a yeast infection. Fortunately, there are many remedies you can try.

Treatment Products

• There are many products available to treat yeast infections, especially vaginal yeast infections. Products such as Monistat and Vagistat offer a suppository, as well as external anti-itch cream, with the active ingredient miconzole nitrate. There are also many store brands available. Follow the product's instructions for use and dosage.

Homeopathic Products

• In addition to medicated products such as Monistat and Vagistat, there are also many homeopathic yeast infection products you could try. Examples include Yeastrol, which is sprayed under the tongue, Yeast•Gard--which comes in suppository, external, and oral medication options--as well as AZO YEAST and Nature's Cure products. Your local pharmacy should have some of these products, or you could buy them online.

Acidophilus

• Acidophilus supplements taken on a daily basis can help kill candida cells. Acidophilus is available as a capsule supplement or as a powder in many health food stores. You can also purchase milk that has been enriched with acidophilus. And when you buy yogurt, look for "live cultures" on the label, indicating it has been enriched with live acidophilus.

Other Supplements

• You can try taking a grapefruit seed extract supplement to kill Candida cells. Follow the dosing instructions on the label. You can also try Celandine leaf, eleuthero root (also known as Siberian ginseng), and garlic, all of which may help to boost the immune system and control yeast infections.

Reduce Sugar Intake

• Candida thrives on a high-sugar diet. It's important to restrict sugar from your diet as much as possible, especially refined sugars such as white and brown sugars, which come from honey, molasses and syrups such as corn, rice and maple. You may also want to consider limiting your fruit intake, as fruit contains natural sugars that may also feed candida cells.

Yeast Products

• Yeast products can also encourage the growth of Candida cells. Eliminate products that contain both refined sugar and yeast, such as bagels, crackers, pastries, cakes and other bakery goods. It's also a good idea to avoid alcohol and reduce or eliminate your coffee intake (both caffeinated and decaffeinated).