Yeast Infections
Approximately 75% of all women will experience at least one yeast infection within their lifetime. Of this 75%, approximately 40% will have a re-occurrence of this yeast infection. These statistics increase when compared to women with mobility restricted to the use of wheel chairs.
Natural Body Environment
The environment of the body is important. The vaginal environment has several contributing factors that determine its status, typically including the pH, temperature and glucose (sugar) levels. The environment of other areas is also important, as the fungus Candida thrives in areas that are warm and moist for extended periods of time. In some wheel chair bound individuals, yeast infections can occur around the lower abdomen and underneath the breasts.
Connections: Wheel Chairs and Yeast Infections
There does exist a strong correlation between the development of yeast infections in women that have limited mobility requiring the assistance of a wheel chair. The development of yeast infections is more prominent in those individuals that are completely wheel chair bound.
Connections: The Natural Environment, Yeast Infections, and Wheel Chairs
The fact is, that the prolonged use of a wheel chair can cause changes to the natural environment of the body. The vaginal environment is typically restricted due to the prolonged sitting in the wheel chair. This creates an environment that is typically warmer with higher amounts of moisture. This environment is preferred by Candida yeast.
Individuals in wheel chairs that suffer from obesity also have a higher risk of Candida skin infections. These infections are commonly located to the lower abdominal region and beneath the breasts. However, proper care to these areas involving keeping the areas clean can typically lower the overall risk for the development of a Candida infection.
Risk Factors: Decreasing Yeast Infections
There are certain things that wheel chair bound individuals can do to decrease the overall risk of developing a yeast infection. Some of these tips include:
- Hygiene: It is critical for wheel chair bound individuals to maintain high levels of personal hygiene. Keeping bodily areas clean, dry, and cool will decrease overall risk of yeast infection development.
- Clothing: Wearing tight clothing only restricts the body, creating warmer and moister environments where Candida infections can thrive. Cotton underwear are breathable, and allow more air to circulate.
- Showering: Be careful to dry off completely after bathing and/or showering. The excess moisture creates a more favorable environment for infection.
- Feminine Product Use: Carefully pick feminine products, being particular to avoid the feminine products that contain perfume. Avoid douching and scented/colored toilet papers.
- Diabetics: Control and regulate your blood sugar levels, as high blood sugars will be secreted providing food on which the Candida fungus will thrive.
- Medications: Steroids and antibiotics use are correlated with increased development rates of yeast infections.
- Immune System Health: Try to maintain immune system health. There are certain foods and products that boost overall immune system health. Yeast infections are more common with individuals that have weakened or compromised immune systems.
Learn more about Candida Albicans and Yeast Infections here.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/candidiasis-yeast-infection
http://women.webmd.com/tc/vaginal-yeast-infections-topic-overview
