The Drs: Chronic Itching & Odor
Dr Jennifer Ashton helped a woman get a diagnosis for her itching and odor, and explained how to treat her chronic yeast infections. (pulguita / flickr)
The Doctors introduced a guest who had been suffering from a condition for 23 years, and was finally so fed up that she went and saw Dr Jennifer Ashton. She shared that she had been suffering from bacterial infections for over 20 years, and was diagnosed with her first in 1990 while she was in boot camp with the Navy. She said it seems like the problem never goes away, and although she’s been on medications, the problem is always there.
The main symptoms she experiences are itching and odor, and she can even smell the odor through her clothing. She was currently taking several medications, including one that she had to order from Mexico. Dr Ashton did an exam and took a special type of culture. She wanted to check the culture to look for five different types of yeast and five different types of bacteria that could cause the symptoms.
Dr Ashton also gave her a course of treatment, just in case she had an underlying yeast infection.
The Drs: Chronic Yeast Infections
Dr Ashton explained that Cynthia didn’t have bacterial vaginosis, but instead had a more resistant, rare form of yeast called candida glabrata, which is resistant to the typical treatments for yeast infections that doctors give. It’s incredibly important that she got the correct diagnosis, because more than 20 years is way too long to suffer.
Dr Ashton explained that for women with chronic yeast infections, they could have external or internal itching, discharge, and a possible odor. The first thing is to get the right diagnosis, and the second thing is to sleep without underwear to “vent the oven.” Yeast loves moist, dark, hot areas, so it’s good to let your body breathe.
Probiotics can also help women with yeast infections, and Dr Ashton is giving her a prescription medication specific for her infection. Cynthia is a lot better off with that course of treatment rather than the one she created herself! Is there a medical condition that you’ve been dealing with for far too long? Share your story!
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