Diabetes is a popular cause of constant yeast infections. HIV and other conditions that compromise the immune system also create an ideal situation for yeast to overgrow. People who treat their medical problems with long-term or repeated antibiotic treatment may find that doing so causes them to suffer from chronic infections.
Yeast feeds on sugar and thrives in areas where it is present. When there is a lot of sugar, an environment exists that is conducive to yeast overgrowth, and the fungus can rapidly reproduce. Diabetes is a condition characterized by excessive levels of glucose. Some who are aware of the connection between sugar and yeast infections try to starve the fungus away by eliminating or drastically reducing the sugar in their diets. When a person is diabetic, however, this may not be an option because the infection can tap into the bloodstream to support its need for sugar, thereby allowing constant yeast infections.
When yeast is starving or exposed to pH levels that are not ideal, the fungus converts to what is called the mycelial form. When it is in this state, the fungus can branch out and attack living organs. It may penetrate them looking to feed and may find a source. Yeast that converts to the mycelial form is more resistant to drugs. This means that even though a person may try to treat the condition, she may find that she still has constant yeast infections.
Lymphocytes act like the body's defenders. When the body is infected, the lymphocytes generally try to attack and destroy the infection to restore the body to its normal condition. When the immune system is weak, however, the lymphocytes are not able to provide their normal level of protection. Since yeast reproduces, it becomes overwhelming for the body's defense system and people with conditions such as HIV may find that they have constant yeast infections.
Some medical professionals believe that there is a connection between high mercury levels and constant yeast infections. Excessive mercury in the body can cause several types of disruptions and one of them is cellular damage. When cells are damaged, the immune system is compromised. As is explained above, a compromised immune system creates a breeding ground for yeast.
Long-term antibiotic use can be the cause of constant yeast infections. Antibiotics are taken to kill off harmful bacteria. In the process, however, it often kills off good bacteria, too, such as the kind that prevents yeast overgrowth. Yeast may not only thrive in these conditions but constant attempts to treat it may result in drug resistance. By the time a person stops taking the antibiotics, the constant yeast infections are likely to be inevitable because the yeast will no longer be defeated by the medication a person takes.
In many cases, when yeast infections are treated, the fungus simply retreats, but instead of being defeated, it is actually hiding. At some point, the infection will begin to bud again. This cycle is another cause of drug resistance because it is believed that each time the infection returns, it may be stronger. Furthermore, it also believed that yeast has the ability to transform into stronger strains which may not be able to be cured with the common regimens.