Yeast Infections and Diabetes

" I'm Lisa Clark Wacom and thanks for joining us for this webcast. Yeast infections are problem every woman should be aware of study showed that nearly three out of every four women will experience this condition at least once. But women with diabetes are -- an even higher risk and it's even more important for them to keep in contact with their doctors. Today we'll find out the link between diabetes and yeast infections. And what extra precautions women with diabetes. Should take for prevention and for treatment. Joining me to discuss this topic we have to -- ecologist doctor Gloria -- welcome thank you doctor Joseph opposed you know. Welcome to -- and also diabetes specialist doctor Carol Bernstein. And thank you all for being here. Amongst -- with a link between diabetes and yeast infections doctor Bernstein. Why does diabetes increased the risk for developing the."

" It's important to understand that what an elevated blood glucose will do when the blood sugar elevates. Two things happened one all the body secretions who have been increased amount of glucose. To all of the tissues of the body. Stop functioning normally. And therefore the normal defenses that the body has against intrusions by outside substances. Such as she's. Will be at normal is the risk difference between solutions who have type one and type two diabetes and self out. No it's not different an elevated blood sugar is basically acts like -- poison. And it will poison both type one and type two patients. If they glucose is not control. Obviously it's important for any diabetic to control blood sugar. But what of the target blood sugars for. Women that. Will make them a little bit safer from developing these infections but we make a diagnosis of diabetes who in the -- troopers about a 126. And our goals are -- have. The morning and before meal -- around a 10210. And then after a meal no more than -- 140. Now that's what the normally it's. What we have found is that when we extended bad that people develop problems so we game for the normal numbers. Doctor -- won't help us and other general prevention tips. To avoid developing yeast infections. "

" Police let me start by saying that many women who have aids infection automatically assume that they're diabetic. The reality is is that most are not diabetic that these defections come from lots of reasons yeah antibiotic use in -- yeast infection and wet bathing suits for long periods of time can cost yeast infections. Oral contraceptive pills in crises infections that are many other causes."

" If a woman with diabetes thinks that she has the yeast infection. What should she -- After this where I think the first thing she should do is visit her doctor to make a diagnoses. The diagnosis is really crucial and they are. Certain test that she should make sure her doctor performs at that correct yes about what I would say is in order to make good diagnoses one should do was slide test. Under the microscope of vaginal secretions to see it once you see he's stored conditions. That causes infection. Usually that will suffice. Sometimes one also has to culture that vaginal secretions as well. But that's in a small number of patients most patients one can make the diagnosis with a -- test under the microscope. "

" it's really important for women to comment before they do you should. Or before they start treatment for the first infection so that we can see exactly what the vaginal health looks like. And making appropriate diagnosis. Doctor Bachmann what the treatment options for a diabetic woman with a yeast infection. A diabetic woman -- can use all the same treatment options that woman does not have diabetes can use. If you prefer is -- she can use our Alex per person vaginal treatment she would prefer you can use a vaginal treatment of yeast infections in women take longer to treat in some polls since."

" There's many therapies that one could use one day therapies three gay therapies seven days of fourteen days. And usually patients who were diabetic need to longer therapy not to shorter. I think one of the mistakes that IC as a patient who has diabetes. Given a one day worth three -- therapy it's probably not going to be as effective it happened a second. Or fourteen day therapy I think it's very important is there a benefit. Too topical versus -- well patients can be allergic to either also there's -- potential for drug interactions if one is taking. But medication on -- long term basis. So for example for chronic recurrent disease. Many individuals would prefer topical therapy. Rather than the world because he oral according to fear what some of the medications. That patients taking."

" Talked about -- I know that there are a lot of products which bill themselves as sort of an over the counter treatment diagnose and treat yourself. Is that advisable. Especially for women with diabetes to develop yeast infection. It's advisable Lisa wants the woman knows what she's dealing with best she's seen her physician that she knows the symptoms. The physician has looked at the vaginal secretions and confirmed. Under the microscope that indeed she has yeast infection. And that she certainly can treat recurrent ones when she understands what he's infection is what it feels like. Any additional thoughts -- it again. I think the other important issue is to complete your therapy many women will come in and say to me you know what I finished sooner. And I should've recordings packets because I felt better. And I think it's important to complete a complete therapy and not stop midway. The other is if a woman still feels that she has symptoms they haven't gone away completely and that's it's time to go back to the doctor. And again go through the -- of valuation of having pelvic examination having the position look at the secretions under the microscope. To be sure that the infection has been resolved with the medication. So bottom line start with the doctor and make sure that your doctor knows. And when you completed treatment that the infection has gone exactly. Thanks all of you for joining us we really appreciate your time. Thanks to all of you in our web audience I'm Lisa Clark."