What Are the Causes of Continuous Yeast & Bladder Infections?

Bladder and yeast infections are among the most frequent causes for school absences and sick days in the U.S. According to WrongDiagnosis.com, 1-in-5 women experiences at least one bladder infection in her lifetime. Recurrent yeast and bladder infections stem from weak or dysfunctional immune function combined with external factors such as poor diet, stress and use of certain medications.

Dietary Factors

• A diet of refined and processed foods leads to nutritional deficiencies, improper immune function and problems such as recurrent yeast and bladder infections. Foods that stimulate yeast overgrowth include sugar and refined carbohydrates, yeasty foods, alcohol and caffeine. Garlic is a highly-effective herbal remedy for yeast overgrowth when taken internally or applied to infected areas, often killing yeast organisms on site.

  Substances that irritate the urinary tract increase susceptibility to bladder infection by causing inflammation. Some common bladder irritants include spicy foods, caffeine and carbonated beverages. Cranberry juice is a popular dietary supplement for preventing bladder infection because of its high acidity, which helps wash bacteria out of the urinary tract.

The Role of Hygiene

• Simple as it sounds, personal hygiene can play a large role in recurrent UTI and yeast infections. People with frequent vaginal yeast infections should only wear underwear with a white cotton crotch and fabrics that allow skin to breathe. Avoid wearing tight, dark pants and underwear, as they trap perspiration and allow yeast to proliferate.

  Bladder infections can also be caused by improper hygiene practices, such as using harsh soaps and deodorants on the genital area and wiping the wrong way (in women). If you suffer from frequent bladder infections, make sure to urinate and wash immediately after sex. Wipe from front to back to avoid introducing fecal bacteria into the urinary tract, and only wear comfortable cotton underwear with a white crotch.

Yeast Stimulators

• Yeast infection occurs when a person experiences a lapse in immune function, allowing the ever-present Candida yeast to invade one or more parts of the body and multiply. Corticosteroids such as prednisone can suppress immune function, increasing your susceptibility to yeast infection. Antibiotics destroy healthy bacteria in the intestine and elsewhere, allowing harmful organisms such as yeast to proliferate, while birth-control medications cause yeast infection by increasing levels of certain yeast-stimulating hormones.

Bladder Irritants

• Bladder infection is caused by bacteria that travel up the urinary tract and multiply in the bladder. For some people, certain substances act as irritants, causing inflammation and increasing the incidence of infection.

  Caffeine is at the top of the list of common bladder irritants. It has diuretic properties, concentrating urine and the bacteria therein while leading to dehydration in cells. Alcohol, carbonated drinks and spicy foods are other substances known to irritate the bladder.

Other Lifestyle Factors

• Frequent, hard-to-treat bladder or yeast infections can indicate immune dysfunction. A well-balanced diet, nutritional supplements and herbs such as echinacea and astragalus can work together to correct deficiencies and strengthen immunity. Stay well-hydrated by drinking 16 ounces of water daily, and avoid substances that irritate the bladder or depress immunity. Take probiotic supplements to increase the amount of good bacteria in the intestinal tract, and aim for eight hours of sleep each night to optimize immune function.