Candidiasis is a stubborn infection that requires a persistent, long-term treatment to clear. And even after treatment one will be required to undertake steps to make sure the infection does not recur.

Candida Albicans exists in benign quantities in a healthy intestinal flora. Normally, these fungi do not cause harm to a healthy body. Unfortunately, though, if there is an overgrowth of these fungi, it could cause a systemic infection.

Surveys show that about 1/3 of the industrial population suffer from yeast oriented infections. The stressful, synthetic, and processed nature of today's modern lifestyle can be attributed with increasing the incidence of such diseases. The synthetic nature of modern man's diet and environment invariably tweaks the normal balance of bacteria in humans.

Some causes of Candidiasis include the misuse or overuse of antibiotics, deficient diet, exposure to germs, stress and lowered immune response, sedentary lifestyle, and others.

Typical treatment of Candidiasis could take as long as 9 months to a year, and do not assure one that the fungal overgrowth will not recur. Candidiasis is one disease that one would rather avoid than endure. Those who suffer from Candidiasis typically have skin inflammations, and inflammation of the mucus membranes such as the throat (thrush) and the vagina (vaginitis). They also suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome and are often beset by a bevy of respiratory, nervous and intestinal problems. The liver also suffers greatly from amount of toxins the fungus produces when in great numbers.

As they say, prevention is so much better than cure. So here are some measures one can undertake to avoid developing such an ailment and prevent it from recurring if previously infected.

1. Healthier diet.

Avoid processed foods. It is always better to eat fresh vegetables and fruits that are undefiled by chemicals and steroids. If you can skip cakes and fast food, do it. It may not look it, but such processed foods can do so much harm to your body. They not only cause the imbalance that encourages yeast overgrowth, but are directly responsible for hundreds of other lifestyle diseases.

You must make sure that the protein sources in your diet are free from chemicals, hormones, steroids, antibiotics and other synthetic elements. A safe bet would be fish, and fowl that are not grown at poultries. Meat grown at poultries and farms are usually given antibiotics and steroids to both keep them away from disease and to expedite growth. The chemicals these animals have been exposed to have a secondary effect on those that consume these products.

2. Use antibiotics judiciously.

Some people jump at using antibiotics at the first hint of a cold. While antibiotics are beneficial when used in moderation and are used properly, they can cause bacterial resistance if improperly used. And if bacteria become resistant to an antibiotic, you will have to switch over to a more potent antibiotic. If they become resistant to that antibiotic, you will have to switch to an even more potent antibiotic. And so it goes on and on - along with the added side effects they bring to the body and the havoc they wreak on the bodies natural flora.

3. Exercise

Exercise is a great way to keep the body healthy. Sedentary lifestyle is one predisposing factor to yeast infections. It is also a sure way to avoid other lifestyle diseases that come with such a lifestyle.