It is arguable that the most commonly known yeast infection in the world is thrush. It is in the form of candidiasis and it affects primarily the female genitalia. It is rare, and certainly not impossible for men to contract the disease either. A yeast infection has no preference to gender, and it will simply attack certain parts of the human body that set up the conditions for growth.

Yeast infections occur in the skin or mucous membrane in humans via fungi called Candida. If observed in a culture it would look like a round colonies of white or off-white organisms. One of the most famous species is known as Candida albicans. It should be acknowledged that this is not the only organism that can result in a yeast infection in men or women.

Candida albicans is a flora that's in the human body and is kept under control by other bacteria present in the body at the same time. It's like a tug-of-war and allows mutual destruction or mutual survival, but either way it's kept in check. The organism loves warm dark places, and it also will tolerate wet places very well too. If you have folds of skin around your belly or anywhere for that matter, make sure under that skin is kept dry, because the Candida loves that type of environment.

Candidiasis is known as a yeast infection, because the species form, is that of a yeast cell. At the formation of the yeast cell the cell duplicates itself by cloning a genetic match. These bulbs would then grow out of the yeast cells, and will remain attached until they decide to let go.

All right, talk about what causes a yeast infection. Your body has to be at the right temperature and at a specific pH level for the organisms to grow along with its competing bacteria, which keeps it in place. Once the body temperature and pH levels change the competing bacteria die, and the Candida albicans cells are free to change and to duplicate themselves with nothing to help to keep them under control.

Candida albicans will mark its territory during its population growth by causing a myriad of symptoms such as burning, itching, tingling or even soreness. You may even feel more than one of these sensations at a time. However, it's not a good idea to scratch the areas in question, because that may only compound the growth of the fungi.

Other signs of a yeast infection include mood swings, depression, anxiety, your ability, cravings for sugars, alcohol cravings, or cravings for carbohydrates. These are the very things that the organism wants to grow. Isn't it amazing how they can somehow get the brain to crave what they need. Even though it's not in our best interest.

Yeast infections can be very serious and sometimes even fatal. This may be true, more so for people with weakened or underdeveloped immune system such as those that have diabetes, HIV or AIDS. The good news is that people that suffer from a yeast infection can be permanently cured as long as they seek immediate help from a doctor, get the proper medication, and are diagnosed correctly.