Thrush is an infection caused by a type of fungus called Candida. It is normally found in the mucus membrane lining of the mouth and tongue, however, the skin and vagina may also be infected. The fungus can travel through the blood stream which can also affect the throat, intestines, and heart valves.
Candia is regulated by the immune system, but if will grow, uncontrolled if the immune system is weakened because of the use of antibiotics, illness, or stress. People that are undergoing chemotherapy, are taking steroids, or are infected with AIDS or HIV have an increased chance of developing thrush.
Common symptoms of thrush in the mouth are yellowish white patches on the tongue and in the mouth. If the patches are scraped, the underlying reddish tissue is revealed. The infection can gradually worsen and in extreme cases it spreads to the esophagus. If this occurs, pain when swallowing can occur, resulting in a sensation of food being trapped in the throat. If the infection spreads beyond the intestines, fever is possible. Vaginal thrush can cause redness, soreness, itching, and burning in the vaginal area and cause a thick white discharge.
Because Candida lives within the body naturally, there’s no way to completely eliminate it. However, you can prevent the spread of infection by strengthening your immune system. To do this, avoid spicy or sweet foods and drinks, reduce you consumption of citric foods, cut back on tobacco and alcohol, eat yogurt with probiotics or friendly bacteria, take vitamin supplements that protect friendly bacteria, and brush both your teeth and gums after every meal and before bedtime using a soft toothbrush.
If already infected, one very important way of decreasing the effects of thrush is maintaining a healthy oral hygiene. Rinsing the mouth with a 3% diluted hydrogen peroxide several times a day and using a soft toothbrush is also a good treatment. Taking antifungal drugs may also treat the infection. Other treatment includes adding of yogurt and green tea in the diet.
Yogurt helps kill the fungus and quickly eliminate the condition while green tea will strengthen the immune system. For severe thrush, doctors might recommend using an antifungal mouthwash for 5-10 days. Other methods may be prescribed if medication is ineffective. Stronger medications will likely be used if the infection spreads throughout the body.
For people with diabetes, maintaining a good sugar level greatly decreases the thrush infection. For babies, thrush treatment is unnecessary because the condition will go away naturally. However, if mild case of thrust continues to develop, feed your baby some yogurt since it is effective treating thrush. Also, soak the pacifier with virgin coconut oil before giving it to your baby. This is a safe treatment method for babies and will help in eliminate the infection in your baby’s mouth.
Thrush can be a painful condition since it causes great discomfort when eating, talking, or performing basic functions with your mouth. Thrush may even get worse once it reaches your esophagus, thus, it is very important that you learn how to prevent the spreading of the infection, especially if you have been infected previously. Look to your doctor for help in permanently eliminating the infection, especially if thrush keeps on reoccurring. The simple treatment that is discussed in this article can get rid of thrush, but you there are other cures you can use as well.
Learn more about thrust treatment. Stop by Deena Fine’s site where you can find out all about yeast infection home remedy and what it can do for you.