Candidiasis, a overgrowth of the fungus candida, causes vaginal yeast infections in women and both oral thrush and candidal diaper rash in infants. In addition, it has been linked to an increased risk of epilepsy in children born prematurely to mothers with the infection as reported by Danish researchers in the May 2008 issue of "Pediatrics." Candida during pregnancy can usually be controlled without contraindicated antifungal agents.
Nutritional Approaches
Preventing candidiasis during pregnancy starts with avoiding foods that have are high in simple carbohydrates as white flour, soda, fruit juice, potatoes, dried fruits and sugar. Daily exercise such as walking is also beneficial as it increases the amount of glucose used by the body's cells leaving less to serve as food for the candida. Have daily servings of food rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, walnuts and avocado. This nutrient appears to make healthy cells more resistant to yeast infections. And finally,yogurt with active cultures of the healthy bacteria, lactobacillus, is widely used for the prevention of candidal overgrowth. Not only does the lactobacillus take up home in the intestinal tract when 8 ounces of plain yogurt with active cultures is eaten, nursing researcher Heather S. Jeavons, MSN, writes in the March 2006 issue of the "Journal of Maternal, Gynecological and Neonatal Nursing" the lactobaccilus also migrates to the vaginal tissues where it destroys candida.
Hygienic Approaches
There is such a thing as too clean. The vaginal ecosystem in delicately balanced and very capable of cleansing itself. Douching, the use of harsh soaps and any type of vaginal spray or perfume disrupts this balance and leads to conditions ripe for candidal invasion. Women are by the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to never use these products.
To prevent yeast from having the warm, moist environment needed for its growth, wear cotton underwear, exchange tight pants and jeans for loose, airy dresses and removing wet swim suits immediately after swimming.
The Sleep Factor
People need seven to eight hours of restorative sleep each night to maintain health. One of the consequences of the partial sleep deprivation that has become normal in 21st century lifestyles is the leaking of bacteria and other disease-causing organisms, including candida, from the intestines into the blood and body tissues, according to molecular biologist and author, Michael Bennet, Ph.D. In his book, "Beyond Antibiotics" Dr Bennet makes this claim based on the work of researchers from the University of Tennessee. Until further research is done to confirm these findings, pregnant women, who have an already elevated risk of candidal infection, are wise to make eight hours of sleep a high priority.
Medical Approaches
The safest and easiest time to treat a yeast infection is before becoming pregnant, Women at risk because of diabetes or a history of repetitive infections as well as those who have symptoms of vaginal burning or itching should have testing for candida as part of a preconception planning visit. If candidiasis is present, oral or vaginal medication will be prescribed and the woman should be retested before stopping contraception. Until retested a couple should use condoms during sex to insure they do not pass the infection between them. In addition, because yeast infections are seen more frequently in women who have diabetes or prediabetic insulin resistance, a hemoglibin A1C blood test should be performed before trying to conceive. This reliable blood test for diabetes does not require fasting and detecting diabetes before conception allows an opportunity for intensive treatment and improved outcomes for mother and child.
References
- "Pediatrics"; Prenatal Exposure to Maternal Infections and Epilepsy in Childhood;Yuelian Sun, MD et al; May 2008
- "Journal of Maternal, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing"; Prevention and Treatmnt of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Using Exogenous Lactobacillus; Heather Jeavons MSN, APRN-C; March 2006
- Beyond Antibiotics: Michael Schmidt, Ph.D.: page 189
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:Vaginitis
